Nestlé, the maker of KitKat and Nescafé, has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after he failed to disclose a romantic relationship with an employee who reported directly to him.
The company said the relationship broke its code of business conduct, and following an internal investigation, Freixe was asked to step down.
Philipp Navratil Appointed New CEO
Nestlé has named Philipp Navratil as its new CEO with immediate effect. Navratil has been with the company since 2001 and most recently led the Nespresso coffee business.
Chairman Paul Bulcke said this was a “necessary decision” to protect Nestlé’s values and governance. He also thanked Freixe for his years of service and stressed that Nestlé will continue with its current business strategy.
Another Leadership Shake-Up
Freixe had taken over as CEO only a year ago after the departure of Mark Schneider. His sudden exit now adds more uncertainty for Nestlé, which is already dealing with weak consumer demand and the risk of global trade tariffs.
The company is also preparing for another change, as long-time chairman Bulcke will step down next year.
This latest move reflects a wider trend in the global food and consumer goods sector, where big names like Unilever, Diageo, and Hershey have also seen top-level changes this year.
In a similar case earlier in 2025, Kohl’s removed CEO Ashley Buchanan after it was revealed he had a personal connection with a vendor.
Who is Philipp Navratil?
Navratil joined Nestlé in 2001 as an auditor. He went on to lead Nestlé Honduras in 2009, then managed the coffee and beverages business in Mexico. In 2020, he took charge of Nestlé’s global Coffee Strategic Business Unit before moving to Nespresso.
Now, as CEO, Navratil will be responsible for steering Nestlé through a challenging consumer market while maintaining the company’s growth path.