Nestlé CEO allegedly fired after secret double office romances (report)

Nestlé CEO Laurent Frexie was fired earlier this week after only a year in the position.

According to BBC, Frexie, who had worked for the Swiss food giant for nearly 40 years in different roles before becoming CEO, was fired after failing to disclose a “romantic relationship” with a “direct subordinate.” He was replaced by Philipp Navratil on Sept. 1.

The outlet reported that the French businessman was believed to have gotten axed after a report was made about his secret relationship through the company’s whistleblower hotline.

But the plot thickens as the employee who tipped Nestlé off about Frexie’s dalliance was also allegedly romantically involved with him. Swiss outlet Inside Paradeplatz reported that Frexie was having two relationships with Nestlé employees, and one of the women caught him in a hotel room in Zurich with the other.

After this woman discovered Frexie with this colleague, she reportedly disclosed that relationship to the company via the whistleblower hotline.

Both women involved with Frexie have since exited the company with a generous severance package. Frexie, however, left with nothing after almost four decades.

Neither woman has been identified, but Nestlé’s board had been tipped off about one of these relationships in May, which resulted in an internal investigation.

A Nestlé spokesperson told news agency AWP (via The Standard) that the investigation in May “failed to substantiate the suspicion.” However, an in-depth inquiry later confirmed Frexie’s wrongdoing, which led to his firing.

Nestlé, founded in 1866, is currently the largest food and beverage company in the world. It is best known for its coffee brands, such as Nescafé and Nespresso, as well as its chocolate and confectionery brands like KitKat and Toll House. Nestlé’s brand catalog also includes Stouffer’s, Hot Pockets, Gerber, Purina, Perrier, and Pure Life.