Nestle announced that Chairman Paul Bulcke will step down in April 2026, to be replaced by Pablo Isla. This decision follows rising investor unease over the food group’s share price, the tenure of former CEO Mark Schneider, and concerns about Nestle's corporate governance model, particularly the practice of former CEOs becoming chairmen. Investors cited flagging sales volumes post-pandemic, high debt, and recent scandals as reasons for their dissatisfaction.
Nestle chairman steps down following concerns over company’s direction, investors say
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Nestle announced that Chairman Paul Bulcke will step down in April 2026, to be replaced by Pablo Isla. This decision follows rising investor unease over the food group’s share price, the tenure of former CEO Mark Schneider, and concerns about Nestle's corporate governance model, particularly the practice of former CEOs becoming chairmen. Investors cited flagging sales volumes post-pandemic, high debt, and recent scandals as reasons for their dissatisfaction.
Trending- 1 2008-2016: Paul Bulcke serves as Nestle CEO.
- 2 2017: Paul Bulcke becomes Nestle Chairman (receives almost 96% shareholder support).
- 3 2022-2024: Nestle share price falls 42%.
- 4 After 2022: Nestle's performance struggles, scandals emerge (bottled water, supply chain).
- 5 August 2024: Mark Schneider ousted as CEO, replaced by Laurent Freixe.
- 6 April 16, 2025: Paul Bulcke re-elected as Chairman with 84.8% shareholder support.
- 7 June 18, 2025: Nestle announces Paul Bulcke will step down in April 2026.
- 8 April 2026: Paul Bulcke to step down, Pablo Isla to become Chairman.
- Change in Nestle's top leadership.
- Potential for a fresh approach to driving growth at Nestle.
- Incoming chair Pablo Isla will define the profile of the next CEO.
- Review of Nestle's stake in L'Oreal and its struggling frozen foods business.
What: Nestle Chairman Paul Bulcke will step down in April 2026, and Pablo Isla will replace him as chairman.
When: Announced on June 18, 2025; Bulcke to step down in April 2026; Mark Schneider was ousted last August (2024); Bulcke was re-elected on April 16, 2025; Bulcke has been chairman since 2017 and CEO from 2008 to 2016.
Where: Primarily Switzerland (Nestle's base), with mentions of France (bottled water scandal) and the United States (supply chain problems).
Why: Rising investor unease over Nestle's share price performance (fell 42% between 2022 and 2024), discontent over Paul Bulcke's loyalty to former CEO Mark Schneider during a tough period, concerns about Nestle's corporate governance model (former CEOs becoming chairmen), Bulcke's declining shareholder support, high debt, and recent scandals (banned treatments for bottled water, supply chain issues).
How: Bulcke chose not to seek re-election, with the company reviewing its succession plans. The timing of his exit, announced soon after his re-election and a year before his mandatory retirement age, was unusual.