Laurent Freixe: Former Nestlé CEO Sacked

Laurent Freixe is a French business executive who served as the CEO of Nestlé from September 2024 until his dismissal in September 2025 due to an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate, violating the company’s code of business conduct. Born in 1962 and raised in Paris, he has an MBA in marketing from EDHEC Business School in Lille and executive training from IMD in Switzerland. Freixe joined Nestlé in 1986 and had a long career with the company, climbing through roles in sales, marketing, and leadership across several countries, including France, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Europe, the Americas, and Latin America.

Freixe’s leadership at Nestlé was marked by strategic efforts to reignite growth, increase advertising spending, and focus on fewer but larger product initiatives. He also reviewed Nestlé’s vitamin brands and spun off its water business into a separate unit. Despite these efforts, his tenure faced challenges, such as declining investor confidence and a drop in Nestlé’s share price. He was known for promoting youth employment through initiatives like Nestlé Needs YOUth, aimed at improving employability for young people under 30.

The sudden dismissal of Freixe after nearly four decades at Nestlé highlights the sensitive nature of workplace relationships and corporate governance at the highest levels. Nestlé’s board acted swiftly following an internal investigation led by top company officials, emphasizing adherence to the company’s values and governance standards. The investigation revealed the undisclosed relationship breached the company’s code of conduct, leading to Freixe’s immediate removal and replacement by Philipp Navratil, head of Nestlé’s Nespresso brand.

This incident at Nestlé fits into a broader context where corporations strive to balance strong ethical standards and transparency with the personal lives of their executives. It underscores how even veteran leaders can face serious consequences for failing to disclose relationships that may represent conflicts of interest or power imbalances. At the same time, the company reassured that strategic directions would continue unaffected, aiming to maintain confidence in its leadership and operations.

Freixe’s case may spark discussions about the rules governing workplace relationships at the executive level and how companies communicate and enforce such policies. It raises questions about privacy, fairness, and the impact of such issues on company performance and reputation. The handling of this case by Nestlé demonstrates a strict stance on maintaining ethical conduct and protecting corporate integrity, which is crucial for multinational companies operating in diverse legal and cultural environments.

Overall, Laurent Freixe’s profile is that of a seasoned business leader who made significant contributions to Nestlé’s growth and initiatives but whose tenure as CEO ended abruptly due to a violation of company policy on personal relationships. This serves as a reminder of the complex challenges leaders face in managing both professional responsibilities and personal boundaries within corporate frameworks.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies