Ben & Jerry’s says CEO ousted by Unilever over political activism

MT HANNACH
4 Min Read
Disclosure: This website may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. I only recommend products or services that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Your support is appreciated!

Unlock the publisher’s digest free

Ben & Jerry said that his parent company Unilever has dismissed its managing director after less than two years in the row role between the two parties on the political activism of the degenerates ice cream brand.

In a legal complaint filed Tuesday evening at the American district court in the South District of New York, Ben & Jerry’s Alleged that Unilever rejected CEO David Stever after failing to comply with the efforts of the parent company to prevent him from expressing himself on political issues.

“Unilever has repeatedly threatened Ben & Jerry staff, including CEO David Stever, if they do not comply with Unilever’s efforts to silence the social mission,” said the file.

“On March 3, 2025, Unilever informed the Independent Council to withdraw and replace Mr. Stever as CEO of Ben & Jerry.”

Unite did not immediately respond to a request for comments.

The file is the last push between the brand and its parent company on the way Ben & Jerry’s communicates its “social mission”, including its call to a cease-fire in Gaza and its support for Palestinian refugees.

Last November, Ben & Jerry filed a complaint Adding Unilever had tried to block his call to a ceasefire in Gaza and prevent him from expressing his support for Palestinian refugees. Unilever rejected complaints.

The two parties have history of disagreement on Israel and Palestine. In 2022, Ben & Jerry continued Unilever after the parent company blocked his attempts Stop selling ice cream in the occupied territories by eliminating the brand’s Israeli arm to a local licensee.

The producer of ice cream flavors such as Phish Food and Chunky Monkey was acquired by Unilever in 2000. A merger agreement was concluded between the two, establishing an independent advice to protect the values ​​of Ben & Jerry and the integrity of the brand.

The Board of Directors alleges that Unilever tries to “dismantle it” and to prosecute individual members, violating the terms of the merger agreement.

“Dave courageously advanced the mission and social values ​​of the company,” said Anuradha Mittal, president of the Independent Council.

“What Dave did not do is what Unilever would like to do, which consists in supervising the dismantling of the Ben & Jerry mission, progressive values ​​and the 2000 merger agreement which protected Ben & Jerry’s position as an autonomous subsidiary in exclusive property,” she added.

Unilever, which makes makeup of shampoo and detergent products, is makeup, is In the separation process Its income ice cream activities of 8 billion euros, in order to register it in the Netherlands.

Stever was promoted Managing Director in May 2023 and was previously director of marketing of Ben & Jerry. He first joined the company as a factory tourist guide in 1988.

Share This Article
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *