Nestlé executive Vice President Sanjay Bahadur to retire after 40-year global career
Nestlé announces senior leadership changes as long-serving strategy chief Sanjay Bahadur prepares to retire in 2025.
SWITZERLAND – Nestlé has announced that Sanjay Bahadur, executive vice president and head of group strategy and business development, will retire at the end of December 2025, concluding a 40-year tenure with the company.
Bahadur has held senior roles across India, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Turkey and China, contributing extensively to the group’s global growth.
During his tenure as head of strategy and business development, Bahadur oversaw portfolio management, mergers and acquisitions, and external partnerships, playing a central role in shaping the company’s long-term direction.
He led key transactions that strengthened Nestlé’s competitive position across multiple categories and markets, navigating shifting consumer behaviour and evolving industry dynamics.
Philipp Navratil, CEO of Nestlé, thanked Bahadur for his decades of service, noting his integrity and leadership in fostering internal collaboration. His departure will prompt organisational adjustments, with the M&A function set to move under the supervision of chief financial officer Anna Manz.
Bahadur’s retirement comes during a period of significant leadership restructuring at Nestlé. In September, the company dismissed CEO Laurent Freixe following an internal investigation into a breach of its code of conduct involving a personal relationship with a subordinate. Navratil, previously head of Nespresso, was appointed as the new CEO.
The company also announced changes within its Nespresso business. Alfonso Gonzalez Loeschen assumed the role of CEO of Nespresso on 1 November 2025, succeeding Navratil as part of the leadership transition.
Additionally, Nestlé confirmed that chairman Paul Bulcke would step down earlier than planned, with Pablo Isla taking over the role on 1 October. The chairman transition follows a period of heightened investor scrutiny after several high-level executive departures raised concerns about governance stability and strategic continuity.
With Bahadur’s exit and broader shifts across the senior management team, Nestlé is preparing for a new phase of leadership as it works to reinforce confidence among stakeholders and maintain momentum across its global operations.
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