Corporate Governance

Our principles-based governance provides the base for our many actions leading to sustainable value creation. We continue to balance the pursuit of top-line and bottom-line growth with capital efficiency. Aiming for business to be a force for good, we use our scale, resources and expertise to create shared value for all our stakeholders.

We are making progress on our path to reduce absolute GHG emissions in our supply chain and to support the transition to a regenerative food system. In 2024, for the first time we submitted our report on non-financial matters to an annual vote by shareholders as required by Swiss Law. This year’s vote will be on our Non-Financial Statement considering requirements of the European CSRD Regulation. In addition, for the first time we issued a voluntary publication, Creating Shared Value at Nestlé, to highlight particularly relevant actions and accomplishments.

Nestlé’s Board of Directors is highly engaged in overseeing the strategic direction of the company and taking decisive action when required. Continuous engagement with our shareholders takes place through our roadshows, investor meetings, analyst calls and Chairman’s Roundtables, where we meet with investors from different geographies across the world.

Over the years, we have continued to strengthen the Board by adding new independent directors with diverse experience and skillsets directly relevant to Nestlé, for example, with respect to consumer goods, marketing, digitalization, food systems, sustainability, geopolitics and financial and operational expertise.

Under our governance, the full Board is in charge of strategy, governance and risk oversight. Our Chair’s and Corporate Governance Committee regularly reviews all aspects of our governance, as well as our asset and liability management. Our Nomination Committee, chaired by our Lead Independent Director, evaluates Board composition, performance, structure and succession planning, and assesses candidates for nomination to the Board. Our Sustainability Committee advises on our environmental and social sustainability strategy and reporting, including our response to climate change and our human rights due diligence program. Our Compensation Committee ensures alignment of our remuneration systems with our values, strategies and performance. Our Audit Committee oversees internal and external audit, financial and non-financial reporting, and internal controls, and reviews reports regarding compliance, fraud and risk management.

We recognize that for our company to be successful over time and to be a force for good, we must also create value for society. Our governance helps us strike the right balance in our pursuit of long-term, sustainable value creation.

Download our Corporate Governance Report 2024 in English (pdf, 2Mb)