Nestlé strategy chief Sanjay Bahadur to retire after four decades with the company

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, closing a career of more than forty years with the company.

Across his tenure, Bahadur has held leadership roles in India, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Türkiye and China, shaping strategy and business development across multiple regions and categories. His experience spans markets, functions and disciplines, giving him a broad view of how Nestlé evolves its portfolio over time.

In his current role as head of group strategy and business development, Bahadur oversees global portfolio management, mergers and acquisitions, venture investments, external partnerships and licensing activities. That remit places him at the centre of decisions that define where and how Nestlé grows, which categories it enters, and which relationships it builds across the ecosystem.

Nestlé chief executive officer Philipp Navratil thanked Bahadur for his long service and influence on the organisation strategic direction. He highlighted Bahadur reputation for integrity and his ability to lead with a humble, collaborative style that built trust across teams and regions.

“On behalf of everyone at the company, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Sanjay for his many contributions to Nestlé,” Navratil said. “He consistently demonstrated uncompromising integrity and a humble approach to leadership, fostering trust and collaboration across the organisation. We wish him all the best for this next chapter.”

As part of the transition, Nestlé confirmed that its mergers and acquisitions function will move to report to chief financial officer Anna Manz after Bahadur retirement. The change folds deal making more tightly into the finance organisation while the company finalises broader succession planning for the strategy function.

Bahadur exit marks the retirement of one of Nestlé longest serving senior leaders, and underlines how the company is gradually refreshing its top team while maintaining continuity in its approach to portfolio management and long term growth.

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