Nestle CEO Change Driven By Growth Concerns, Says Chairman Bulcke

Nestle SA’s recent decision to replace its chief executive officer was fueled by concerns over the company’s growth outlook, according to Chairman Paul Bulcke. In an interview with Swiss newspaper Le Temps, Bulcke discussed the factors that led to the abrupt leadership change, highlighting the need for quick action amid challenging market conditions.

Growth Concerns and Market Share Issues

Bulcke revealed that the decision to replace Mark Schneider with company veteran Laurent Freixe as CEO was not made lightly. “We looked at the market share development and asked ourselves whether the group’s growth engine and operational execution were still working perfectly,” he said. The company’s leadership faced difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical issues, and rising inflation, which ultimately prompted the swift change in leadership.

Nestle, headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, is known for its wide range of products, including bottled water, coffee, ice cream, and pet food. The company’s recent performance had raised concerns about its ability to meet profitability targets, leading to questions about whether the current strategy was sufficient to maintain growth.

No Major Restructuring Planned

Despite the leadership change, Bulcke assured that there is no major restructuring planned for the company. “The focus will be mainly on stimulating the current portfolio and organic growth,” he stated. While mergers and acquisitions will continue to play a role in the company’s strategy, Bulcke emphasized that they are not the core of the strategy but rather a complement to it.

The company’s guidance, which is set at an underlying operating margin of at least 17.5% for 2025, remains unchanged. However, Bulcke did not address this guidance directly in the interview.

A New Focus on Organic Growth

With the appointment of Laurent Freixe as the new CEO, Nestle is set to focus on revitalizing its existing portfolio and driving organic growth. Freixe, a long-time Nestle executive, brings extensive experience within the company, and his leadership is expected to steer the company toward achieving its growth objectives.

The leadership change at Nestle underscores the challenges that even the world’s largest food and beverage companies face in a rapidly changing market environment. As the company navigates these challenges, the focus will be on ensuring that its growth engine is back on track and that it continues to meet its profitability targets.