
Core Viewpoint - Nestlé's CEO Laurent Freixe was dismissed after one year due to an undisclosed romantic relationship, with Philipp Navratil appointed as his successor [2][5]. Company Overview - Laurent Freixe joined Nestlé in 1986 and held various leadership roles, including CEO of the Americas and Latin America [2][3]. - The company has a diverse portfolio, including coffee, confectionery, and pet care, with total assets amounting to 191 billion Swiss francs (approximately 238.6 billion USD) [7]. Leadership Changes - The dismissal of Freixe comes amid ongoing internal complaints and an investigation into his personal conduct [4][5]. - Paul Bulcke, Nestlé's chairman, emphasized the decision was necessary to uphold the company's values and governance [6]. Financial Performance - Nestlé's stock price has declined over 40% since reaching a peak of 127 Swiss francs in 2022 [8]. - The company reported sales of 44.23 billion Swiss francs (approximately 39.34 billion RMB) in the first half of the year, with organic growth of 2.9%, but actual internal growth fell by 0.4% due to consumer resistance to price increases [10]. Strategic Focus - Freixe aimed to refocus Nestlé on its core business, moving away from previous strategies that expanded into health products, which he believed weakened the organizational structure [3][11]. - The company is undergoing a strategic review of its vitamin, mineral, and supplement brands, which were part of a previous acquisition spree [11][12]. Industry Context - Similar restructuring efforts are observed among other consumer goods giants like Unilever and Reckitt, which are divesting underperforming brands to focus on higher-margin categories [12].