On September 1, Nestlé's board of directors announced that Philipp Navratil has been appointed as CEO of Nestlé S.A., following the dismissal of Laurent Freixe with immediate effect. Nestlé Purina PetCare is a subsidiary of Nestlé.
The company said Freixe's departure follows an investigation into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate that breached Nestlé's code of business conduct. In line with best practice corporate governance, the board ordered an investigation overseen by Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director Pablo Isla with the support of independent outside counsel.
A company spokesman told Reuters that concerns about a possible relationship between Freixe and a direct report first emerged in the spring through an internal company hotline. The board of directors immediately opened an investigation, which was found to be inconclusive.
As the concerns persisted, the company launched a second probe overseen by Bulcke and Isla with the help of an external firm, which confirmed the relationship. Freixe had initially denied the relationship to the board, the spokesperson added.
The ousted executive will not receive an exit package after his dismissal, Nestlé told Reuters.
"This was a necessary decision," said Bulcke. "Nestlé's values and governance are strong foundations of our company. I thank Laurent for his years of service at Nestlé.
"I am pleased to announce Philipp Navratil as CEO," he continued. "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."
Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 as an internal auditor. After holding various commercial roles in Central America, he was appointed country manager for Nestlé Honduras in 2009. In 2013, Navratil assumed leadership of the coffee and beverage business in Mexico, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening the Nescafé brand.
In 2020, he transitioned to Nestlé's Coffee Strategic Business Unit, where he was responsible for shaping the global strategy and driving innovation for Nescafé and Starbucks coffee brands. He assumed his position at Nespresso in July 2024, where he has accelerated growth and built strong momentum. Navratil joined the Nestlé Executive Board on January 1, 2025.
"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," said Navratil. "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, in alignment with the board, Chairman Paul Bulcke, and Chairman-Designate Pablo Isla, to accelerate execution and to drive the value creation plan with intensity."
According to Petfood Industry's Top Pet Food Companies, Nestlé Purina PetCare manufactures, markets and distributes pet food, treats and cat litter, primarily known for brands like Purina Pro Plan, Dog Chow, Friskies and Beneful. It is a subsidiary of Nestlé, the global food company, and is considered one of the leading pet care brands worldwide.
