The Nestlé Board of Directors has appointed Philipp Navratil as the company's new CEO with immediate effect. He succeeds Laurent Freixe, who was forced to step down following an internal investigation. The dismissal was due to a personal relationship with a direct subordinate, which violates Nestlé's Code of Business Conduct.
Focus on corporate governance
The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director Pablo Isla and was supported by external legal counsel. “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,” said Paul Bulcke.
Philipp Navratil takes on responsibility
With the appointment of Philipp Navratil, the food company is relying on an experienced manager from within its own ranks. “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. The Board is confident that he will drive our growth plans forward and accelerate efficiency efforts. We are not changing course on strategy and we will not lose pace on performance,” Paul Bulcke continued.
Philipp Navratil's career at Nestlé
Philipp Navratil joined the company in 2001 in internal audit. After positions in Central America, he became Country Manager of Nestlé Honduras in 2009. In 2013, he took over the coffee and beverage business in Mexico, where he strengthened the Nescafé brand. From 2020, he headed the Coffee Strategic Business Unit with global responsibility for the Nescafé and Starbucks brands. In 2024, he took over the leadership of Nespresso, where he accelerated growth and built strong momentum. He has been a member of Nestlé's Executive Board since January 2025.
Outlook for Nestlé under new leadership
The new CEO emphasized his close connection to the company's strategic direction: "I am honored by the trust the Board has placed in me, and it is a privilege to take on the responsibility of leading Nestlé into the future. I fully embrace the company's strategic direction, as well as the action plan in place to drive Nestlé's performance. I look forward to working closely with the entire leadership of the company." Together with the Executive Board and the Board of Directors, he intends to accelerate the implementation of the strategy and intensively drive value creation.
