Nestlé: Best Corporate Governance Switzerland 2016

In recent years, Nestlé, the leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness company, has leveraged its considerable influence within the FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) global value chain to become a model of corporate governance.

Nestlé believes that to be successful over the long-term it needs to create value for their shareholders and for society – what is called Creating Shared Value (CSV). On the basis of best in class corporate governance and compliance, Nestlé focuses its efforts in five key areas: nutrition, water, rural development, environmental sustainability and their people. Implementation is carried out and monitored in conjunction with over a hundred non-governmental organisations worldwide.

In Switzerland, Nestlé has strived to improve nutritional education through a number of initiatives, including sports days and health tips for children. A number of the Nestlé’s Swiss factories are also committed to further improve their environmental performance. Its factory in Henniez, in the Swiss canton of Vaud, has just inaugurated the largest agricultural biogas plant in Switzerland, it will use 25,000 tons of agricultural fertilizer from 27 farms in the region every year. The plant will produce 4 million kWh of electricity and 4.5 million kWh of heat by burning this gas in a cogeneration engine.

The CFI.co judging panel commends Nestlé on the implementation of its business strategy and is particularly impressed with the success of its many initiatives in Switzerland and elsewhere. Thus, the judges are pleased to present Nestlé with the 2016 Best Corporate Governance Switzerland Award.