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Nestlé fires CEO following probe of romantic relationship with subordinate

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Nestlé has dismissed CEO Laurent Freixe with immediate effect after an internal investigation confirmed he violated the company’s code of conduct by engaging in an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate
The probe, overseen by Chairman Paul Bulcke and lead independent director Pablo Isla, was supported by independent legal counsel and concluded over the weekend

🔭 The context: Freixe, a Nestlé veteran, was appointed CEO just a year ago during a pivotal moment as the company sought to streamline its portfolio by divesting underperforming assets
His abrupt departure adds further uncertainty to the leadership of the Swiss food giant, which is already under pressure to reverse slowing growth and improve investor confidence amid structural challenges

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, Nestlé plays a significant role in global supply chains, food security, and sustainability efforts
Leadership instability during strategic transformations — particularly those involving product reformulation, plastic reduction, and ethical sourcing — may delay or complicate the execution of sustainability initiatives and ESG commitments across multiple markets

⏭️ What's next: Nestlé is expected to appoint an interim CEO while it searches for a permanent replacement
Analysts will closely monitor whether this leadership shift disrupts ongoing divestments and restructuring plans, especially in key units such as processed foods and bottled water
The board will also likely face questions about corporate governance and accountability in upcoming shareholder engagements.

💬 One quote: “The board takes its code of conduct seriously and acted swiftly to uphold the integrity of Nestlé’s leadership,” — a spokesperson for the company

📈 One stat: Nestlé shares fell 3.17% on the day the announcement was made, reflecting investor concern over the leadership vacuum and potential strategic delays

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Nestlé and its peers Unilever, and Danone

Click for more news covering the latest on ethical governance

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illuminem's editorial team, providing you with concise summaries of the most important sustainability news of the day. Follow us on Linkedin, Twitter​ & Instagram

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