Nestlé Rocked by scandal: CEO Laurent Freixe Loses Phone, Faces Allegations of Misconduct and Power Struggle
Vevey, Switzerland – A storm is brewing at Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company, as CEO Laurent Freixe finds himself at the center of a growing scandal involving allegations of misconduct and a potential power struggle within the corporate giant. Reports indicate Freixe was stripped of his phone on Monday evening,a move described by a long-time Nestlé executive as “unheard of in the 159-year history of the group.”
The sudden action has sent shockwaves through Nestlé’s headquarters, a company often described as a “fortress” and a “planet of the global corporate world.” Sources suggest the crisis stems from a “mountain of lies” – both in personal relationships and professional dealings – that have brought the company perilously close to a historical debacle.
A Pattern of Alleged Affairs
The allegations center around a pattern of relationships with female employees. The first reported incident occurred over a decade ago,when Freixe,then head of Nestlé’s European operations,allegedly became involved with a Greek HR employee working on the company’s “Nestlé needs YOUth” initiative. both individuals were reportedly in relationships at the time – freixe married with two children, and the employee with a diplomat. The affair concluded with the employee transferring to Philip Morris,but reportedly triggered a warning from then-CEO Paul Bulcke: “Don’t play around,Laurent.”
Bulcke’s warning appears to have had only a temporary effect. In 2017, Freixe allegedly began a relationship with a Polish employee working for nestlé hungary. this relationship reportedly culminated in divorce from his wife and a subsequent marriage to the Polish employee, after she issued an ultimatum.
Buisness Battles and a Disputed Succession
The personal turmoil coincides with a period of meaningful upheaval within Nestlé’s leadership. Freixe was reportedly passed over for the CEO position in favor of Mark Schneider, a move orchestrated by outgoing CEO Peter Brabeck. This decision saw Freixe’s empire – overseeing both North and South America – halved, with Schneider restructuring the company and dividing the Americas into separate zones.
while Schneider’s restructuring may have been strategically sound, it undeniably diminished Freixe’s power and influence. Sources suggest Schneider may have been justified in sidelining Freixe, hinting at underlying performance concerns.
What’s Next for Nestlé?
The confiscation of Freixe’s phone and the ensuing inquiry signal a serious escalation of the situation.The long-term implications for Nestlé, a company that wields immense influence – even comparable to some state governments – remain to be seen.
This is a developing story, and world-today-news.com will continue to provide updates as more details becomes available.
Keywords: Nestlé, Laurent Freixe, CEO, scandal, misconduct, affair, Mark Schneider, Peter Brabeck, Paul Bulcke, Switzerland, corporate governance
