Nestlé faces a corporate crisis after firing its CEO for hiding a romance with a staffer. The scandal shakes investor confidence as the food giant appoints an insider successor.
WEBDESK, MediaBites: September 3, 2025
Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company, has been thrust into crisis after firing its chief executive for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a junior staff member — a violation of corporate ethics policies.
The Swiss-based multinational announced Monday that its board had “acted decisively to protect the company’s integrity,” immediately terminating the CEO’s contract. The dismissal followed an internal probe that uncovered the concealed relationship, which board members said created a conflict of interest and undermined leadership credibility.
“This was a matter of trust,” a Nestlé spokesperson told Reuters. “The CEO knowingly withheld information that senior executives are required to disclose.”
The scandal comes at a sensitive time for Nestlé, which has been under investor pressure to accelerate growth in its health and nutrition segments. Shares slipped nearly 4% in Zurich trading following the announcement, reflecting market unease over the leadership turmoil.
To stabilize the company, Nestlé swiftly appointed an internal candidate, long considered a rising star within its executive ranks, as the new CEO. Analysts said the move was aimed at reassuring both employees and shareholders that the company’s long-term strategy remains on track.
Still, the abrupt firing has rattled one of Europe’s most stable corporate institutions. “Nestlé prides itself on governance and transparency,” said Daniel Berset, a corporate governance expert. “This crisis reveals how fragile reputation can be when leaders fail to uphold their own standards.”
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