Fired Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe caught cheating on mistress with subordinate

Former Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe was terminated after an internal investigation revealed that he was involved in a romantic relationship with a subordinate, leading to a violation of the company’s code of conduct. The 63-year-old French executive was fired after a senior executive, rumored to be his mistress, caught him with another subordinate in a Zurich hotel. The incident was reported through the company’s anonymous hotline, prompting the investigation that ultimately led to Freixe’s dismissal.

According to reports, Freixe had been involved with two subordinates, one of whom was referred to as his “main mistress.” The confrontation between Freixe and Nestlé Chairman Paul Bulcke and vice chair Pablo Isla resulted in his immediate termination. The “main mistress” received a severance package, and the other subordinate involved also left the company with a generous severance package arranged by Freixe.

Nestlé stated that Freixe’s termination was due to his failure to disclose the relationship with a direct report, emphasizing the importance of upholding ethical standards within the organization. Despite his nearly 40-year tenure at the company, Freixe did not receive a severance payout.

After his abrupt departure, Freixe resurfaced on LinkedIn, expressing his availability and congratulating his successor. His tenure as CEO, which began less than a year ago, came to a swift end, underscoring Nestlé’s commitment to upholding its values and holding all employees, including top executives, accountable to the same standards.