Ben & Jerry’s independent board has declared its unwavering commitment to preserving the brand’s social mission, regardless of any potential sale or spin-off by parent company Unilever Plc. This assertion comes amid Unilever’s recently announced plan to divest its ice cream division, which includes Ben & Jerry’s, in an effort to bolster its overall performance. The board, headed by Anuradha Mittal, emphasized the significance of maintaining a robust framework to protect the brand’s progressive values, citing its invaluable contribution to Ben & Jerry’s remarkable growth since its merger with Unilever.
The board’s resolve to safeguard the brand’s social mission stems from a firmly established framework enshrined in the 2000 merger agreement with Unilever. This framework, according to the board, has been instrumental in ensuring the brand’s consistent alignment with its values and has played a pivotal role in driving a remarkable 400 percent growth since the merger.
Unilever’s announcement of its intention to divest its ice cream division has raised questions about the future of Ben & Jerry’s unique corporate governance structure. However, a spokesperson for Unilever has stated that the company anticipates the independent board will continue to guide Ben & Jerry’s commitment to its social mission.
Ben & Jerry’s has consistently championed various societal causes, sometimes embroiling Unilever in culture wars. Notably, in 2021, the board clashed with Unilever over the sale of the rights to Ben & Jerry’s Israel business to local distributor Avi Zinger. The board subsequently sued Unilever for breaching the merger agreement, leading to a confidential settlement in late 2022 that allowed Ben & Jerry’s to operate in Israel as a separate entity.
Earlier this year, the board called for a ceasefire in Gaza, a request later echoed by the UN Security Council, with the United States abstaining. Unilever’s chief executive, Hein Schumacher, has acknowledged Ben & Jerry’s unique status, stating that the company does not dispute the significance of its social mission, recognizing it as a key factor in the brand’s successful growth.
