Nestlé Fires CEO Laurent Freixe Due to Romantic Relationship Scandal?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Shocking news came from global food giant Nestlé. The company officially dismissed its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Laurent Freixe, from his position.

This decision was announced on September 1, 2025, marking the end of Freixe's leadership at the top of the company.

The dismissal of Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe was not without reason.

An in-depth internal investigation uncovered an undisclosed romantic relationship between Freixe and a direct subordinate.

This relationship was deemed to be a clear violation of Nestlé's Code of Business Conduct, a guideline that upholds integrity and professionalism.

The investigation was led by Nestlé's Chairman of the Board, Paul Bulcke, along with Lead Independent Director, Pablo Isla.

As a consequence of these serious violations, Nestlé appointed Philipp Navratil as Laurent Freixe's replacement, while Freixe himself left the company without receiving a severance package.

Nestle abruptly dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate, a dramatic removal a year after he took the reins https://t.co/cWuqnUhIE8 pic.twitter.com/ThHtSlDlv5

— Reuters (@Reuters) September 1, 2025

The dismissal of Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe stemmed from serious violations of the company's Code of Business Conduct.

Nestlé stated that Freixe had an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct report.

The investigation was led by key Nestlé figures, namely Chairman of the Board Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director Pablo Isla.

“This was a necessary decision,” Bulcke said in a statement.

“Nestle’s values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service.”

They were tasked with ensuring objectivity and fairness in the fact-finding process regarding alleged violations.

As a direct result of these findings, Laurent Freixe was dismissed from his position without receiving a severity package.

To fill the leadership void, Nestlé quickly appointed a replacement.

Philipp Navratil is entrusted with continuing the leadership baton as Nestlé's new CEO.

The CEO’s abrupt removal comes exactly one year after Nestle ousted his predecessor Mark Schneider, raising questions on its next course of action even though the company said it would not change course on strategy and targets.

 “This new change is likely to keep afloat the question mark about the mid-term direction of the company,” JP Morgan analysts said in a note to clients.

Prior to this dismissal, Laurent Freixe was known as an experienced executive with a long career at Nestlé.

Born in Paris, France, on April 21, 1962, he began his education by earning an MBA from EDHEC Business School in Lille in 1985.

Freixe joined Nestlé France in 1986, beginning his journey with the company.

Over the decades, he held various positions of increasing responsibility in Marketing and Sales.

Key positions he held included Head of the Nutrition Division of Nestlé France, CEO of Nestlé Hungary, and CEO of the Iberia Region.

His career further advanced when he joined the Executive Board of Nestlé S.A. in November 2008 as Executive Vice President for the European Zone.

He was then appointed CEO of the Americas Zone in 2014, and CEO of the Latin America Zone in January 2022.

Ultimately, Laurent Freixe was appointed CEO of Nestlé S.A. on September 1, 2024, succeeding Ulf Mark Schneider, by growing the Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee brand to billions of dollars in revenue.

Freixe is also known for his "virtuous circle" management approach, which focuses on reinvesting profits in product innovation.

Throughout his career at Nestlé, Laurent Freixe focused not only on financial growth but also on innovation and development.

He played a key role in popularizing the Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee brand, which is now one of Nestlé's flagship products.

Freixe is also known for reinventing the company's 60/40 rule, a key guideline in product development.

This rule ensures that every new product released by Nestlé must be preferred by at least 60 percent of consumers in blind taste tests compared to competing products.

He also launched the "Nestlé Needs YOUth" initiative in Europe in 2013, which has since grown into a global program.

Freixe is also heavily involved in driving the sustainability agenda at Nestlé.

He focuses on crucial issues such as carbon footprint, deforestation, and waste management.