Nestlé dismissed Chief Executive officer Laurent Freixe following the disclosure of a relationship with a colleague, the company confirmed September 2, 2025. The abrupt departure of the longtime executive marks a meaningful leadership change for the world’s largest food and beverage corporation.
The termination, effective instantly, stems from a violation of Nestlé’s code of conduct regarding personal relationships, according to an internal memo seen by multiple news outlets. Freixe’s conduct came to light during an internal examination, prompting the board to relieve him of his duties. This incident underscores the increasing scrutiny faced by corporate leaders regarding workplace conduct and the enforcement of ethical standards.Freixe, who had been with Nestlé for nearly three decades, most recently served as CEO as January 1, 2022, after previously holding the position of Chief Operating Officer. He oversaw a period of strategic restructuring and portfolio optimization for the company, including divestitures and acquisitions aimed at focusing on high-growth categories. The board has initiated a search for a permanent successor and appointed an interim CEO, details of which were not immediately disclosed.
Nestlé, headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, operates in nearly 200 countries and employs approximately 328,000 people. The company’s brands include Nescafé, KitKat, and Purina. The incident is expected to prompt a review of nestlé’s internal policies and training programs related to workplace relationships.
