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Nestlé has announced the retirement of Sanjay Bahadur, executive vice president and head of group strategy and business development, effective at the end of December 2025.

Bahadur's departure marks the conclusion of a notable 40-year career with the company, during which he held pivotal roles across various markets including India, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Turkey and China.

In his current capacity, Bahadur has played a crucial role in shaping Nestlé's strategic direction. His responsibilities encompassed portfolio management, mergers and acquisitions, and the establishment of external partnerships and licensing agreements.

Under his leadership, the company has navigated complex market dynamics and executed significant M&A transactions that have bolstered its position in the competitive food and beverage landscape.

Philipp Navratil, CEO of Nestlé, expressed gratitude for Bahadur's extensive contributions: “On behalf of everyone at the company, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Sanjay for his many contributions to Nestlé. He consistently demonstrated uncompromising integrity and a humble approach to leadership, fostering trust and collaboration across the organisation.”

As Bahadur transitions into retirement, the M&A function will be reassigned to CFO Anna Manz, indicating a strategic shift in how Nestlé will approach future acquisitions and partnerships.

In addition to Bahadur's retirement, Nestlé has recently announced several key appointments and structural changes aimed at strengthening its leadership team.

In September, Nestlé announced the immediate dismissal of CEO Laurent Freixe following an internal investigation into a breach of the company’s code of conduct involving a personal relationship with a subordinate. The company appointed Navratil – formerly head of Nespresso – as the new CEO.

Alfonso Gonzalez Loeschen was appointed chief executive officer of Nespresso, which came into effect on 1 November 2025.

Meanwhile, Nestlé announced that chairman Paul Bulcke would step down earlier than planned, with Pablo Isla assuming the role on 1 October. The leadership transition follows significant investor backlash after a series of high-profile executive departures, which have intensified concerns over Nestlé’s governance and strategic direction.

These moves align with the company’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations and enhance its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving food and beverage sector.