Ben & Jerry’s founders come forward in support of ousted CEO

• Ben & Jerry’s announced support for the return of former CEO David Stever to his position. The brand accused Unilever of firing Stever for defending its progressive values and social activism.
• Ben & Jerry’s filed a lawsuit against Unilever, claiming the company violated merger terms by removing Stever without the independent board’s approval.
• Tensions between the ice cream brand and Unilever have persisted. Ben & Jerry’s has accused Unilever of silencing its efforts to speak out on social issues. 

Full Story

Ben & Jerry’s founders came forward in support of the company’s ousted CEO. On Wednesday, March 19, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield expressed their support for David Stever after Unilever, the parent company of the ice cream brand, dismissed him.

“Dave has been a tireless champion of this company and its progressive values,” the founders said. “We believe there’s no one better to lead Ben & Jerry’s at this moment in its history.”

On Tuesday, March 18, Ben & Jerry’s accused Unilever of firing Stever for defending the company’s social and political activism initiatives. 

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What’s in the court filing?

The ice cream brand accused Unilever of violating the merger agreement terms by removing Stever without board approval.

“While we don’t have insight into Unilever’s decision, we do know this: we stand 110% behind Dave,” the founders, who are no longer members of the brand’s independent board, wrote in their message. “As CEO, he’s continued to lead with courage and integrity, delivering on our Social Mission while posting strong global growth last year, his first full year in the role.”

A spokesperson for Unilever told The Wall Street Jounal on Wednesday that the company had made several attempts to connect with the board to discuss Stever.

A strained partnership

For years, the relationship between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever has been strained.

In 2024, the ice cream brand also sued Unilever. It accused Unilever of silencing the company’s attempts to speak out in support of Palestinians and threatening to dismantle its independent board.

The ice cream brand’s independent board can decide about the brand’s social mission following the $326 million deal that Unilever reached to acquire in 2000.

According to this week’s court filing, Unilever criticized Stever in a performance review in January for repeatedly complying with the demands of the Independent Social Mission Board.

The ice cream brand also alleged that Unilever prevented the brand from posting tributes for Black History Month and supporting Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil. Authorities detained Khalil, a U.S. legal permanent resident, on March 8 for helping to lead pro-Palestinian demonstrations in 2024.

History of Ben & Jerry’s

Since Ben & Jerry’s launched in 1978, it has been recognized for its left-leaning advocacy, led by Cohen and Greenfield. 

Over the years, the ice cream brand has continued introducing innovative flavors and engaging in activism.

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What’s next?

In March 2024, Unilever announced its plans to spin off its ice cream division.

If the move is successful later this year, it will end the 25-year partnership between the two companies.