Sept 1 (Reuters) - Nestle has dismissed its CEO

Laurent Freixe after a code of conduct breach, it said on

Monday, appointing Philipp Navratil as his successor.

Nestle said Freixe's departure follows an investigation

overseen by Chairman Paul Bulcke and Lead Independent Director

Pablo Isla into an undisclosed romantic relationship with a

direct subordinate which breached the company's code of business

conduct.

"This was a necessary decision," said Bulcke in a statement.

"Nestle's values and governance are strong foundations of our

company. I thank Laurent for his years of service."

Company veteran Freixe took over the CEO role in September

last year after Nestle ousted his predecessor Mark Schneider.

Navratil began his career with Nestle in 2001 as an internal

auditor. After holding various commercial roles in Central

America, he was appointed country manager for Nestle Honduras in

2009.

He assumed leadership of the coffee and beverage business in

Mexico in 2013, and transitioned to Nestle's Coffee strategic

business unit in 2020.

He moved to Nespresso in July 2024, and joined the Nestle

executive board on January 1 this year.