Nestlé chair Paul Bulcke steps down early from key role
Nestle chair Paul Bulcke is stepping down early from his role after conducting a key investigation into its former CEO. Pic: Nestle
Paul Bulcke, Nestlé chairman has moved to step down early from his post, in the wake of overseeing an investigation that led to the removal of CEO Laurent Freixe at the start of this month, writes Neill Barston.
Notably, Bulcke had been due to exit the business to coincide with the company’s next AGM in April 2026, but the events of the past few weeks are understood to have accelerated his decision, and as previously reported, he will be succeeded by Pablo Isla, another long-serving member of the company.
Significantly, Freixe was removed from his role after being found to have broken the company’s policy in having an undisclosed romantic relationship with a junior staff member, who has since left the company after rising to become a senior figure within one of its divisions.
As for Bulcke, he had served nearly fifty years in the sector, having spent 14 years on the Executive Board, almost 9 years as CEO and 9 years as the company’s chairman.
He joined Nestlé in 1979 and was appointed to the Executive Board in 2004, responsible for Zone Americas. He was elected member of the Board of Directors in 2008 and served as the company’s CEO from 2008 to 2016 and as Chairman of the Board since April 2017.
Paul Bulcke, Chairman of Nestlé, stated: “I have full trust in Nestlé’s new leadership and firmly believe this great company is well positioned for the future. This is the right moment for me to step aside and accelerate the planned transition, allowing Pablo and Philipp to advance Nestlé’s strategy and guide the company with a fresh perspective. I wish the entire Nestlé family every success in the future.”
Pablo Isla, Vice Chairman and Chairman Elect, welcomed the opportunity to take up the senior role in the business.
He said: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Paul for his leadership and unwavering dedication to Nestlé. Paul’s wisdom and commitment have shaped the company and laid the groundwork for our next chapter. In recognition of his longstanding and dedicated service, we have named Paul as Honorary Chairman.”
Furthermore, the company concluded that Dick Boer has been appointed Lead Independent Director and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors beginning October 1. In addition, Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch has been appointed Vice Chair of the Board of Directors.
