Core Points - Nestlé Group unexpectedly announced the dismissal of CEO Laurent Freixe after just one year in the role, appointing Philipp Navratil as interim CEO [2][4] - Freixe was initially well-regarded and had a long tenure at Nestlé, having worked there for 39 years before becoming CEO [4] - The board's decision was based on an independent investigation revealing Freixe's inappropriate relationship with a direct subordinate, violating company conduct guidelines [5][6] Company Overview - Freixe's appointment as CEO came at a time when Nestlé's stock had already dropped 40% from its 2022 peak, following a loss of confidence in the previous CEO [4] - Upon taking office, Freixe focused on core businesses like coffee and food, shifting away from the previous strategy of growth through acquisitions [4] - He also aimed to optimize operational processes and increase marketing spending to 9% of sales to enhance brand performance [4] Governance and Conduct - The board's decision to terminate Freixe highlights the importance of corporate governance and adherence to ethical standards within the company [6][19] - Similar cases in the corporate world show that relationships between executives and subordinates can lead to significant consequences, including job loss and reputational damage [10][12] - Companies often have strict policies against such relationships to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain a fair workplace [13][16] Broader Implications - The dismissal of a CEO can create instability within a company, disrupting strategic plans and requiring time to find a suitable replacement [16][18] - Historical examples, such as the case of HP's former CEO Mark Hurd, illustrate that board decisions to remove executives can have long-term negative impacts on company performance [18] - The necessity of maintaining ethical conduct in leadership roles is emphasized, as breaches can lead to significant repercussions for both individuals and organizations [19][20]

报道称，傅乐宏作为雀巢公司40年工龄的老员工，从基层职员一步步被提拔，去年9月才被任命为公司 首席执行官，但执掌雀巢这家行业巨头仅一年就以这种"无奈"的方式被辞退了。接任的纳瓦迪尔同样是 雀巢老员工，2001年便加入公司。尽管他今年元旦才进入高管团队，但仅过8个月，就于9月1日接替傅 乐宏出任雀巢首席执行官。 【环球时报综合报道】瑞士雀巢公司9月1日宣布，公司首席执行官（CEO）傅乐宏因存在与直接下属的 办公室恋情、违反公司的行为准则被解职。 雀巢同日宣布将由公司高管纳瓦迪尔接任首席执行官。路透社9月1日披露，傅乐宏的办公室恋情最早于 今春就在雀巢公司被内部举报，公司董事会立即展开调查，但并未取得确凿证据。此后，对傅乐宏的办 公室恋情举报依然持续不断，举报的核心关切是担心他徇私偏袒，涉嫌利益冲突。于是，由雀巢董事长 和一名独立董事亲自牵头负责，又展开了第二次调查，同时还聘请了外部法律顾问参与，这才最终坐实 了傅乐宏的办公室恋情。 傅乐宏被解职后无法从公司拿到任何补偿费。跨国公司巨头掌舵人因办公室恋情而遭解职且"破财"的事 情，其实早有先例。据英国《卫报》报道，2023年，英国石油公司炒掉了其首席执行官陆博纳。 ...

Core Points - Nestlé Group announced the appointment of Philipp Navratil as CEO, replacing Laurent Freixe, effective immediately [1] - Freixe's departure was due to a violation of Nestlé's Code of Business Conduct related to an undisclosed romantic relationship with a subordinate [1] - The board emphasized the importance of corporate governance and values in making this decision [1] Company Strategy - Freixe aimed to unlock existing business potential rather than pursuing growth through mergers and acquisitions, focusing on three key areas: operational excellence, maximizing product portfolio potential, and strengthening foundational capabilities [2] - Under Freixe, Nestlé streamlined its geographical market structure from five regions to three, reintegrating the Greater China Region into the Asia, Oceania, and Africa region [2] New CEO Profile - Philipp Navratil joined Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including leading the coffee and beverage business in Mexico and overseeing Nespresso's growth [3] - Navratil expressed full support for the company's strategic direction and performance improvement plans, aiming to accelerate execution and value creation [3] Market Impact - The rapid CEO change reflects a clash between corporate governance standards and personal conduct, highlighting the need for brands to maintain a "zero tolerance" approach to individual behavior that could harm corporate reputation [3][4] - Navratil's experience in global management and coffee innovation may enhance Nestlé's positioning in high-growth areas like premium coffee and digital channels in China [4]

Core Viewpoint - Nestlé has terminated CEO Laurent Freixe due to undisclosed workplace relationships, which violated the company's code of conduct, marking a significant leadership change within the company [1][3]. Group 1: Leadership Changes - Laurent Freixe was dismissed after only one year as CEO, having taken over from Mark Schneider on September 1 of the previous year [3]. - The board emphasized that the decision was necessary to uphold Nestlé's values and governance [1]. - Freixe will not receive any severance pay due to the nature of his dismissal [3]. Group 2: Investigation and Allegations - The investigation into Freixe began in late spring, following multiple internal complaints regarding his alleged romantic relationship with a subordinate, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest [4]. - Initially, an internal investigation found no factual basis for the allegations, but ongoing complaints led the board to reopen the investigation with external legal counsel [5]. - Freixe had previously denied any internal romantic relationships to the board [5]. Group 3: Industry Context - Freixe's dismissal adds to a trend of high-profile executives losing their positions due to workplace relationships, similar to incidents at McDonald's and Kohl's [6]. - Nestlé has faced other challenges, including a raid by French authorities investigating potential contamination issues and a recall of frozen foods due to safety concerns [7]. - The company's stock performance has been lackluster, with a nearly 17% decline since Freixe's appointment, contrasting with a 5% decline for competitor Unilever [7]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Following Freixe's exit, Philipp Navratil, head of Nespresso, has been appointed as the new CEO, effective January 1, 2025 [9]. - Analysts express skepticism about the new leadership's ability to reassure investors, given the lack of a comprehensive search process for the new CEO [9]. - Concerns remain regarding the effectiveness of the transformation strategy initiated by Freixe, which may limit Navratil's immediate actions [9].

Core Viewpoint - Nestlé Group's sudden dismissal of CEO Laurent Freixe due to a violation of the company's code of conduct has raised concerns about internal management and corporate governance, prompting a reevaluation of the company's future strategic direction [1][2][3] Group 1: Executive Changes - Laurent Freixe, a veteran with 39 years at Nestlé, was appointed CEO in September 2024 but was dismissed within a year due to an undisclosed romantic relationship with a subordinate [2][3] - The board's decision reflects a commitment to uphold corporate governance standards, emphasizing that even high-ranking executives are not above the rules [2][3] Group 2: Investigation and Governance - An internal investigation was initiated following multiple anonymous reports received through the "Speak Up" system, leading to the board's decision to terminate Freixe [3] - The board, led by Paul Bulcke and independent director Pablo Isla, underscored the importance of maintaining the company's values and governance as a foundation for its operations [3] Group 3: New Leadership Challenges - New CEO Philipp Navratil faces significant challenges, including stabilizing the organization, continuing performance improvement plans, and restoring ethical authority within the executive team [4][5] - Navratil, a long-time Nestlé employee, has expressed full support for the company's strategic direction and aims to accelerate value creation initiatives [6] Group 4: Financial Performance Context - Nestlé's financial performance has been under pressure, with a reported sales decline of 1.8% to CHF 44.228 billion and a net profit drop of 10.3% to CHF 5.065 billion in the first half of 2025 [5] - The Greater China region specifically saw a sales decline of 6.4% to CHF 2.47 billion, raising concerns about the effectiveness of previous strategic initiatives [5]

Core Viewpoint - Nestlé's CEO Laurent Freixe was dismissed due to a violation of the company's code of conduct, specifically an undisclosed relationship with a subordinate, raising concerns about ethics and trust in the company [1][2] Group 1: Company Response and Leadership Change - The board quickly appointed Philipp Navratil as the new CEO, emphasizing the importance of Nestlé's values and governance as foundational to the company [2] - Freixe's tenure saw a 17% decline in Nestlé's stock price, contrasting with a 5% drop for competitor Unilever, indicating a loss of investor confidence [2] - The swift leadership change is part of a strategy to regain public trust and shift the narrative from "violation" to "rebirth" [2][4] Group 2: Challenges and Strategic Implications - Nestlé has changed CEOs twice in the past three years, raising concerns about the company's strategic execution and long-term stability [3] - Navratil's extensive experience within Nestlé, including key roles in various markets and brands, positions him as a leader capable of driving the company's narrative of responsibility, inclusivity, and innovation [3][4] - The company faces the challenge of rebuilding its narrative to assure consumers and investors that its long-term strategy remains intact despite leadership changes [4]

Core Viewpoint - Nestlé's CEO, Mark Schneider, was dismissed due to a romantic relationship with a subordinate, raising questions about internal power dynamics and governance within the company [2][6][8]. Group 1: CEO Dismissal - Mark Schneider, who had nearly 40 years of experience at Nestlé, was appointed CEO in September 2024 but was dismissed just a year later due to a reported romantic relationship with a direct report [4][6]. - The company stated that Schneider violated the "Code of Business Conduct" and would not receive any severance pay, indicating a strict stance on such matters [6][8]. - Internal complaints about Schneider's relationship led to an investigation, which initially found no basis for the claims, but subsequent evidence from surveillance footage prompted a swift dismissal [8][10]. Group 2: Company Performance - During Schneider's tenure, Nestlé experienced a 1.8% decline in sales in the first half of 2025, with the Greater China region seeing a more severe organic growth rate of -4.2% [18]. - The company's stock price fell by 17% during his leadership, lagging behind competitors like Unilever by 12 percentage points [18][20]. - The board's decision to dismiss Schneider may have been influenced by both his personal conduct and the company's underperformance, suggesting a combination of new and old grievances [18][20]. Group 3: Internal Dynamics and Future Challenges - The dismissal of Schneider coincided with multiple crises for Nestlé, including investigations into water pollution and product recalls, highlighting management vulnerabilities [21]. - The new CEO, Nespresso's former head, faces significant challenges in continuing Schneider's transformation strategy while restoring investor confidence and internal stability [23][25]. - Nestlé has seen a 60% turnover rate in its board over the past five years, with frequent changes in the CEO position, which may lead to strategic inconsistency and employee uncertainty [27][29].

Core Points - Nestlé Group announced the appointment of Philipp Navratil as the new CEO, replacing Laurent Freixe, effective immediately [1][3] - Freixe's departure was due to an investigation revealing an undisclosed romantic relationship with a subordinate, violating Nestlé's Code of Business Conduct [3][4] - Freixe had been with Nestlé for over 40 years and served as CEO for just one year, focusing on leveraging existing business potential rather than acquisitions [3][4] Leadership Changes - The board of directors, led by Chairman Paul Bulcke and independent director Pablo Isla, oversaw the investigation and decision to terminate Freixe [3] - Navratil joined Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including leading the coffee and beverage business in Mexico and overseeing Nespresso's growth [4][5] - Navratil expressed full support for the company's strategic direction and aims to accelerate value creation in collaboration with the leadership team [5] Strategic Focus - Under Freixe, Nestlé aimed for cost savings of at least 2.5 billion Swiss Francs by the end of 2027 and increased marketing investments to 9% of sales by 2025 [4] - The organizational structure was streamlined, merging the Greater China region back into the Asia, Oceania, and Africa zone to enhance efficiency [4][5] - The new CEO's experience in coffee business innovation is expected to bolster Nestlé's positioning in high-end coffee and digital channels in China [5]

Group 1 - Nestlé China announced the appointment of Philipp Navratil as CEO effective September 1, 2025, replacing Laurent Freixe who was dismissed due to a violation of the company's code of conduct [1][3] - The dismissal of Laurent Freixe was linked to an investigation revealing an undisclosed romantic relationship with a subordinate [3] - Nestlé's Chairman, Paul Bulcke, emphasized the importance of the company's values and governance, expressing confidence in Navratil's ability to drive growth and efficiency without changing the strategic direction [5] Group 2 - Philipp Navratil joined Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including leading the coffee and beverage business in Mexico and overseeing global strategy for Nestlé Coffee and Starbucks brands [5][6] - Under Freixe's leadership, Nestlé shifted its strategy to focus on fewer, larger, and better-performing products, recently acquiring the remaining 40% stake in the Chinese candy brand Xu Fu Ji [6] - Nestlé's financial report for the first half of the year showed a 1.8% decline in sales to CHF 44.2 billion, with an organic growth rate of 2.9%, indicating weak consumer demand [6][7]

封面新闻记者 边雪 瑞士全球最大食品公司雀巢（Nestlé）今日宣布， 其首席执行官法语系高管劳伦特·弗雷克斯（Laurent Freixe） 已被即时解除职务，原因系其在未向公司披露的情况下，与一名直接下属存在恋情，违反了公 司《商业行为准则》。 据报道，这项决定是在董事长保罗·布尔克（Paul Bulcke）与首席独立董事巴勃罗·伊斯拉（Pablo Isla） 的领导下展开的内部调查之后作出的。调查还获得了外部法律顾问的支持与监督。 新任首席执行官菲利普·纳夫拉蒂尔此前领导雀巢旗下奈斯派索（Nespresso）咖啡业务部门，是一位在 公司内部具有丰富经验的高管。雀巢表示，纳夫拉蒂尔的任命将确保公司战略的连续性，并推动其在全 球食品市场的持续增长。 闪电离职背后是雀巢高层频繁震荡 弗雷克斯于2024年9月正式上任，仅执掌公司十二个月。在他的领导下，公司面临增长乏力与投资者信 心动摇的双重压力，该期间雀巢股价下跌约17%，并较五年前下跌近三分之一。 值得注意的是，雀巢的股票是瑞士证券交易所的基石，但过去五年来其市值已缩水近三分之一，表现逊 于欧洲同行。今年7月，雀巢对其表现不佳的维生素业务展开了审查，由于上半 ...