FACTBOX-Recent leadership changes at global consumer goods companies

ReutersSep 1, 2025 7:12 PM

Sept 1 (Reuters) - Nestle NESN.S dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe a year after appointing him, following an investigation into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate that breached the company's code of conduct.

The reshuffle in the top position comes amid a string of similar announcements from consumer-facing companies globally.

In the United States, companies are removing their CEOs at the fastest pace in two decades, with data showing that at least 41 CEOs have exited S&P 500 companies so far this year, compared with 49 for all of 2024.

Here are some examples of major CEO changes in the past year:

Company	Details
Nestle NESN.S	Company veteran Freixe had been appointed to the CEO role in August 2024 after the board ousted Mark Schneider. Freixe on Sept. 1 was replaced by Philipp Navratil, CEO of Nestle Nespresso.
Unilever ULVR.L	The company ousted chief executive Hein Schumacher in February, replacing him with finance chief Fernando Fernandez.
Kohls KSS.N	Kohl's fired CEO Ashley Buchanan in May after an investigation found he had pushed for deals with a vendor with whom he had a personal relationship, after little more than 100 days in the position.
Stanley Black & Decker SWK.N	The power tools maker, in June, appointed operations chief Christopher Nelson as its next CEO and President, effective October 1, succeeding Donald Allan Jr., who is set to retire.
Hershey HSY.N	Hershey, in July, named burger chain Wendy's WEN.O chief Kirk Tanner as its CEO, effective August 18, replacing Michele Buck, who is set to retire.
Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS	Hindustan Unilever, in July, named Priya Nair as managing director and CEO, replacing Rohit Jawa well before the completion of his five-year term as the company's chief.
Kenvue KVUE.N	The Band-Aid and Tylenol maker fired its CEO Thibaut Mongon in July, laying what some investors expect will be the groundwork for an eventual sale of the entire company or pieces of it, and named director Kirk Perry as interim CEO.
Diageo DGE.L	The Johnnie Walker whisky and Guinness beer maker's CEO, Debra Crew, stepped down after two years in the job in July, with finance chief Nik Jhangiani taking over in the interim.
Procter & Gamble PG.N	Procter & Gamble CEO said in July that CEO Jon Moeller is stepping away from the role, to be succeeded by Chief Operating Officer Shailesh Jejurikar.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.