Who is Laurent Freixe? Former Nestlé CEO fired after investigation into alleged inappropriate workplace relationship

Nestlé has parted ways with its CEO, Laurent Freixe, after an investigation into allegations of an improper relationship within the company. In a press statement, former CEO and current chairman Paul Bulcke said:

"This was a necessary decision. Nestlé's values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service at Nestlé."

The BBC also reported a company representative's statement that read:

"We acted at all times in line with best practice corporate governance. The external investigation was opened shortly after the initial internal investigation, and today's decision shows that we are taking allegations and investigations seriously."

Laurent Freixe, born in 1962, is French. According to Nestlé’s website, he studied at the Program for Executive Development at IMD in Switzerland and at the École des Hautes Études Commerciales du Nord (EDHEC) in Lille, France.

When did Laurent Freixe join Nestlé?

Freixe began his career at Nestlé in 1986 in sales and marketing. He became head of the Nutrition Division at Nestlé France thirteen years into his tenure with the company. Prior to becoming CEO in 2024, he served in a number of senior roles, including Executive Vice President and Market Head.

In 2018, Nestlé uploaded an Instagram post mentioning Freixe that read:

"Meet Laurent Freixe, CEO Nestlé Americas who started #NestleneedsYOUth! 🌟"

He also became a board member of The Consumer Goods Forum, in addition to holding roles with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, the Global Alliance for YOUth, EDHEC Business School, the European Roundtable, and the IMD Foundation Board.

He had spent nearly 39 years with Nestlé before his dismissal. Before working with Nestlé, he was working with Findus France (Nomad Food).

Who is the new CEO of Nestlé?

Philipp Navratil has become the new CEO of the company, following the removal of its former CEO, Laurent Freixe. Announcing the news, Paul Bulcke said in the press release:

"I am pleased to announce Philipp Navratil as CEO. Philipp is recognized for his impressive track record of achieving results in challenging environments. Renowned for his dynamic presence, he inspires teams and leads with a collaborative, inclusive management style."

Navratil has been with the company since 2001 and joined Nestlé’s Executive Board earlier this year.

According to the BBC, an internal report initiated the investigation into Freixe after an alleged relationship with a non-board employee raised ethical concerns. He will depart the firm without compensation, as no severance package has been offered.

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