Nestlé has announced the appointment of Philipp Navratil as its new Chief Executive Officer, following the sudden departure of Laurent Freixe. The decision came after an internal investigation revealed Freixe’s breach of company policy through an undisclosed workplace relationship, prompting the board to act swiftly in the interest of governance and transparency.
Navratil’s journey at Nestlé is a story of steady growth within the company. He began his career in 2001 as an internal auditor in Switzerland, gaining exposure to Nestlé operations worldwide, including in Mexico, Japan, and Russia. His move into commercial roles in 2005 marked a turning point, with early successes in marketing Nido and Klim in Panama. By 2009, he was entrusted as Country Manager of Honduras, delivering strong market performance.
Over the years, Navratil took on increasingly critical roles. In 2013, he led Nestlé’s coffee and beverage division in Mexico, before being appointed head of the Global Coffee Strategic Business Unit in 2020, where he shaped innovation and strategy for flagship brands like Nescafé and Starbucks. His leadership extended further in 2024, when he took charge of Nespresso, driving renewed growth in the premium coffee segment.
Navratil was elevated to Nestlé’s Executive Board in January 2025, setting the stage for his rapid promotion to CEO just months later. Company Chairman Paul Bulcke praised him for his inclusive leadership, deep global experience, and proven ability to deliver results.