Nestlé Man Takes over as World Economic Forum Chief

Peter Brabeck-Letmathe made an obvious mark as the CEO and chairman of Nestlé back in the noughties when he took the food and beverage major to unprecedented heights with aggressive global expansion and innovation. His tenure at Nestlé also saw the company strive for better environmental practices, despite controversies around issues like water privatisation, palm oil sourcing, and marketing strategies in developing countries. Appearing in a 2005 Feed the World documentary, he ruffled feathers by stating that water should not be a free resource. Instead, he advocated for water to be a marketable foodstuff inviting global backlash.

It is the same Brabeck-Letmathe who has now been appointed interim chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) following the resignation of WEF founder Klaus Schwab amid an ongoing investigation into financial and ethical misconduct allegations.

Brabeck-Letmathe’s experience in the corporate world has always been intertwined with a focus on responsible business practices. His leadership at Nestlé was marked by a heavy emphasis on nutrition, sustainability, and global water management, particularly with Nestlé’s commitment to improving food security and promoting healthy diets.

Now, as chairman of WEF, Brabeck-Letmathe steps into the role of steering the organisation’s mission forward at a time when the world faces pressing issues like climate change, inequality, and technological disruption. WEF, under Schwab’s leadership, became known for its annual meetings in Davos, where business, political, and societal leaders gathered to discuss and shape global policies.

Brabeck-Letmathe is likely to bring a blend of corporate experience and sustainability advocacy to WEF’s mission. As a prominent voice on global water scarcity and resource management, it is expected that he will prioritise environmental sustainability in WEF’s agenda, driving initiatives that address the future of energy, food systems, and climate resilience.

His background in advocating for global partnerships, ethical business conduct, and social responsibility will likely shape WEF’s approach to fostering collaboration among governments, corporations, and civil society. Moreover, Brabeck-Letmathe’s vision for a sustainable future, particularly through the eyes of corporate responsibility and economic collaboration, could introduce new dialogues around how companies balance profit with the needs of a rapidly changing world.

One thing is sure. WEF, under Brabeck-Letmathe’s leadership, will face the challenge of navigating an increasingly divided global landscape. With rising populism, economic inequality, and climate crises, the Forum will need strong leadership to bring diverse global voices together in pursuit of a shared vision. Brabeck-Letmathe’s task will be to strengthen WEF’s role as a neutral platform for dialogue, while encouraging actionable commitments on issues that impact the future of humanity.

Interim chairmanKlaus SchwabNestléNews BriefPeter Brabeck-LetmatheWeb ExclusiveWorld Economic Forum