Finance

Nestle investors call for chairman to step down, FT reports

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 13, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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Nestle investors call for chairman to step down, FT reports
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(Reuters) - Nestle investors have called for Chairman Paul Bulcke to step down over the departure of a second chief executive in just over a year, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. Nestle did

Nestle Shareholders Demand Chairman Bulcke's Resignation Amid CEO Turmoil

Concerns Over Governance at Nestle

(Reuters) - Nestle investors have called for Chairman Paul Bulcke to step down over the departure of a second chief executive in just over a year, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.

Dismissal of Chief Executives

Nestle did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Shareholder Reactions

Shareholders told the newspaper the dismissal of former Chief Executive Laurent Freixe and the way investigations into his conduct were handled had exacerbated their concerns over governance at Nestle and led them to question Bulcke’s decision-making.

Impact on Corporate Leadership

The Swiss food giant abruptly dismissed Freixe at the beginning of September for failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a subordinate.

Freixe's removal came a year after predecessor Mark Schneider suddenly departed, and 2-1/2 months after Bulcke - chairman since 2017 - said he would step down next year.

(Reporting by Preetika Parashuraman in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Hogue)

Key Takeaways

  • Nestle investors call for Chairman Paul Bulcke's resignation.
  • Concerns arise over governance due to CEO departures.
  • Laurent Freixe was dismissed for not disclosing a relationship.
  • Freixe's removal follows Mark Schneider's sudden departure.
  • Bulcke announced plans to step down next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance refers to the systems and processes that direct and control a company. It encompasses the relationships among the company's management, its board, shareholders, and other stakeholders.
What is a shareholder?
A shareholder is an individual or institution that owns shares in a company. Shareholders have a claim on part of the company's assets and earnings, and they may receive dividends.

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