Current legal chief Leanne Geale will retire after seven years in the role.
Nestlé's Board of Directors has appointed Manuela Bernasconi as Group General Counsel and a member of the Group Executive Board. The appointment takes effect on January 1, 2027. She succeeds Leanne Geale, who will retire after seven years in the role.
Bernasconi currently serves as General Counsel for Zone Americas, a position she assumed in January 2025. She joined Nestlé in 2007 as Legal Counsel in Corporate & Group Compliance. Her career at the company includes legal leadership roles across Zone Europe, Nestlé Switzerland, Nespresso, and Zone Latin America.
Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil noted that Bernasconi brings nearly 20 years of experience at the group, combining deep legal expertise with strategic perspective to lead the Legal & Compliance function. Navratil also thanked Geale for her leadership and for strengthening the department, including its approach to human rights.
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