Nestlé has dismissed Laurent Freixe, the long-serving chief executive of its Latin America zone, after an internal investigation. The Swiss food and beverage giant said the decision followed a breach of its policy regarding a personal romantic relationship. Freixe, who had been with Nestlé for 38 years, was also a member of the company’s executive board.
Key Takeaways
- Laurent Freixe, CEO of Nestlé’s Latin America zone, has been dismissed.
- The decision was tied to a violation of the company’s code of conduct on personal relationships.
- The internal review began after Nestlé received an anonymous report.
- Filipe Starling, a senior manager in the region, has been named acting head.
Nestlé confirmed that Freixe’s termination came after a thorough review. A company spokesperson explained that the probe was launched when Nestlé received anonymous reports regarding a personal relationship involving him. The findings showed a breach of the company’s Code of Business Conduct, which includes strict rules to prevent workplace conflicts of interest.
Freixe joined the company in 1986 and built a long career in leadership roles. In 2022, he became head of the Latin America zone after previously leading the larger Americas division, which included the United States market. His dismissal highlights how large corporations are increasingly holding top executives accountable, not only for their business results but also for their personal conduct when it risks undermining company policy.
Following his departure, Nestlé moved quickly to ensure stability in the region. Filipe Starling, who currently leads the drinks business in Latin America, has been appointed acting head. The company described this step as a way to maintain continuity in a market that plays an important role in its global operations. Nestlé has not shared further details about the relationship or the individual involved, keeping its statement focused on the policy violation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Why was Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe fired?
A. Laurent Freixe was dismissed after an internal investigation found he had violated Nestlé’s company policy concerning personal romantic relationships, which created a conflict of interest.
Q. Who is Laurent Freixe?
A. Laurent Freixe was the Chief Executive Officer for Nestlé’s Latin America zone and a member of the company’s executive board. He had worked at Nestlé for 38 years in various leadership roles.
Q. What is Nestlé’s policy on workplace relationships?
A. Like many large corporations, Nestlé’s Code of Business Conduct has rules to manage personal relationships to avoid any potential or actual conflicts of interest, ensure fairness, and maintain a professional workplace.
Q. Who will replace Laurent Freixe at Nestlé?
A. Filipe Starling, who is the current head of Nestlé’s drinks business in Latin America, has been appointed as the acting head for the zone.
Q. How common is it for executives to be fired for personal relationships?
A. It has become more common for senior executives to face dismissal for violating company conduct policies, including those related to personal relationships. Companies are enforcing these rules more strictly to uphold corporate governance standards.
