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SWITZERLAND – Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider has stepped down from the company and Board of Directors responsibilities after 8 years. Laurent Freixe, currently EVP and CEOZone Latin America, will take over as CEO effective September 1. The Board has also nominated Laurent Freixe as a candidate for the Board of Directors at the 2025 Annual General Meeting.
"Leading Nestlé for the past 8 years has been an honor for me. I am grateful for what we have achieved, having transformed Nestlé into a future-proofed, innovative and sustainable business. I would like to thank the entire Nestlé community for what we have accomplished together and wish Laurent all the best in his new role," Schneider said.
Freixe joined Nestlé in France in 1986 and his responsibilities have spanned across different businesses, markets and Zones, including managing Zone Europe during the financial and economic crisis from 2008 until 2014. He then took over as CEO of Zone Americas and was named CEO Zone Latin America in 2022. Freixe has been a member of the Executive Board for 16 years and has contributed to the Nestlé Leadership and Training Programs and Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative.
"I am privileged to have been given the opportunity to continue building and strengthening Nestlé, and I am excited to take on this responsibility. There will always be challenges, but we have unparalleled strengths, such as iconic brands and products, an unmatched global presence, leading innovation and execution capabilities, and above all, exceptional people and teams. We can strategically position Nestlé to lead and win everywhere we operate," Freixe commented.
Chairman of the Board of Directors Paul Bulcke said, "I have known Laurent for a long time and highly regard him as a talented leader with strategic acumen, extensive in-market experience and expertise as well as a deep understanding of markets and consumers. He has demonstrated his ability to deliver results in challenging market conditions. Laurent's curiosity fuels his passion for innovation and positive change.
"I would also like to express our gratitude to Mark for his significant contributions to Nestlé and for his outstanding, steady leadership in turbulent times. Mark has been instrumental in the great progress we have made on our sustainability agenda. We extend our best wishes to him in all his professional and personal endeavors," Bulcke continued.
