Peter Brabeck, past CEO and Chairman of Nestle, discusses with Dr. Katrina Burrus the experiences and challenges to which he attributes his successful leadership journey.
Peter Brabeck joined Nestlé in 1968 in Austria as a salesman, later becoming a specialist for new products. His career within the group included a span of almost ten years in Chile (1970–1980), first as National Sales Manager and later as Director of Marketing. In 1981, he was appointed Managing Director of Nestlé Ecuador, and in 1983, President and Managing Director of Nestlé Venezuela. In October 1987 he was transferred to Nestlé’s international headquarters in Vevey. As Senior Vice-President in charge of the Culinary Product Division, he had worldwide responsibility for that business area. On 1 January 1992, Brabeck-Letmathe was appointed Executive Vice-President of Nestlé S.A., with global responsibility for the Strategic Business Group encompassing food, chocolate and confectionery, ice cream, pet food, as well as industrial products (aromas). At the same time, he had worldwide responsibility for marketing, communications, and public affairs. In particular, during his time as Executive Vice-President, he conceived and implemented the unique branding policy of Nestlé, characterized by a strict hierarchy of strategic brands on the global, regional and local levels.