The Nestlé board of directors has approved changes to the company’s organisation, effective as of 1 January 2025.
As a result, Nestlé is also announcing changes to its executive board, restructuring its regions, and speeding up decision-making.
Here’s all that you need to know.
Zone Mergers
Zone Latin America (LATAM) and Zone North America (NA) will merge to form Zone Americas (AMS), which will be led by Steve Presley. He will relocate to Nestlé’s headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland.
Zone Greater China Region (GCR) will become part of Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa (AOA), under the leadership of Remy Ejel. David Zhang will step down from the executive board and remain chairman and CEO of Zone GCR.
Zone Europe (EUR) will continue to be led by Guillaume Le Cunff and remains unchanged.
Leaner Executive Board
Laurent Freixe, Nestlé’s CEO, said, “A leaner executive board structure and close collaboration of the leadership team at the headquarters will increase simplicity, speed up decision-making, and strengthen the momentum behind global initiatives. We will continue to build on the strengths of our market heads, to ensure consistent in-market execution across the group.”
Bernard Meunier has decided to step down from the executive board on 31 March 2025 and will lead strategic projects for the group.
David Rennie, currently head of Nestlé’s coffee brands, will succeed Meunier as the head of strategic business units (SBUs) and marketing and sales.
Nestlé’s coffee brands, with the exception of Nespresso, will be integrated into the SBU organisation.
Global Experience
Nespresso is led by Philipp Navratil, who will join the executive board and then report directly to the Nestlé CEO.
Navratil is known for his ability to inspire and motivate people. He has extensive global experience across various roles and a profound understanding of Nestlé.
Nestlé Health Science will continue to be led by Anna Mohl.
Areas Of Responsibility
Starting in 2025, Nestlé’s reporting will comprise five segments: Zone AMS, Zone AOA, Zone EUR, Nestlé Health Science, and Nespresso.
The company will also continue to voluntarily report sales performances each quarter for North America, Latin America (within Zone AMS) and Greater China (within Zone AOA).
Béatrice Guillaume-Grabisch, head of human resources and business services, has decided to step down and to pursue new professional opportunities. Her area will be split into its different functions, to underpin the importance of each of them.
Anna Lenz, currently country manager of Nestlé Portugal, will lead human resources. She will join the executive board. Lenz’s inclusive leadership style cultivates collaboration and empowers her team to achieve outstanding results.
Chris Wright, chief information officer – responsible for all information technology and digitalisation – will now report to the Nestlé CEO without holding a position on the executive board.
Restore Investment
Hans-Ulrich Mayer will remain in charge of business services and report to CFO Anna Manz.
Antonia Wanner, who leads the sustainability unit, will now report directly to the Nestlé CEO without holding a position on the executive board.
CEO Freixe added, “With these organisational changes, all the leaders of key units driving our performance and our transformation will now report directly to me.
“This is crucial, as we sharpen our focus on consumers and customers and restore investment in our brands, and in innovation to expand market share and accelerate our performance.
“Going forward, we are also placing a greater emphasis on Nestlé’s digital transformation into a real-time, end-to-end connected data- and AI-powered organisation. I am confident these changes will optimally position Nestlé for future success.”
