Who is Laurent Freixe wife? Nestlé CEO fired over undisclosed workplace relationship

September 1, 2025 – Nestlé has removed its Chief Executive Officer, Laurent Freixe, after confirming that he had an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate. The company said this violated its code of business conduct. The Board quickly appointed Philipp Navratil as the new CEO, effective immediately.

Internal Investigation

The matter came to light through Nestlé’s “Speak Up” system. A special probe was led by Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director Pablo Isla with help from outside lawyers. The investigation confirmed that Freixe’s relationship broke Nestlé’s workplace ethics rules.

Nestlé has not revealed the identity of the employee involved, saying it wants to respect privacy. Bulcke stated that the leadership change will not affect Nestlé’s strategy or long-term goals.

Who is Laurent Freixe?

Laurent Freixe was born in 1962 and joined Nestlé France in 1986. Over nearly 40 years, he held several senior positions:

• 1999 – Head of Nutrition, Nestlé France

• 2003 – CEO, Nestlé Hungary

• 2007 – CEO, Nestlé Iberian Region

• 2008 – Executive Vice President, Zone Europe

• 2014 – CEO, Nestlé Americas

• 2022 – CEO, Zone Latin America

• 2024 – CEO, Nestlé S.A.

Freixe also launched “Nestlé Needs YOUth,” a global youth employment program to provide skills and job opportunities to 10 million young people by 2030.

He studied business administration at EDHEC Business School in France and completed the IMD Program for Executive Development in Switzerland.

Performance and Challenges

During his short tenure as CEO, Freixe focused on larger product launches, stronger marketing, and a review of Nestlé’s nutrition brands. However, investor confidence dropped. Nestlé’s share value fell 17% in the last year, while rivals like Unilever dropped only 5%.

Reports suggest Freixe’s net worth is around $4 million as of July 2025. His long Nestlé career and high leadership positions contributed to his wealth.

New CEO Philipp Navratil

Philipp Navratil, a long-time Nestlé executive, will now lead the company. He joined in 2001 as an auditor and has served in different roles across Latin America and global coffee businesses. Most recently, he was CEO of Nespresso in 2024 before joining Nestlé’s Executive Board.

Navratil said he was honored by the trust placed in him and promised to continue Nestlé’s current strategy. Bulcke described him as a dynamic and inclusive leader who motivates teams.

Corporate Lessons

The dismissal of Freixe adds him to a list of global CEOs who lost their positions due to workplace relationships. Experts say the case is another reminder that even top leaders must follow corporate ethics rules.

Who is Laurent Freixe wife?

There is currently no publicly verified information about Laurent Freixe’s wife—or whether he is married at all. If further details emerge from credible sources, I’ll be happy to share them promptly!