Ben & Jerry's CEO ousted over political activism amid tensions with Unilever
Ben & Jerry's CEO David Stever was removed by parent company Unilever, escalating tensions over the ice cream maker’s political activism. Ben & Jerry's claims Unilever is trying to silence its social mission.
Ben & Jerry's, the iconic ice cream brand, has announced the removal of its CEO, David Stever, after a deepening conflict with its parent company, Unilever. The dispute centers around the company's long-standing political activism, with Ben & Jerry’s alleging that Unilever is trying to control its social mission.
Ben & Jerry’s legal case against Unilever over political activism
In a lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Ben & Jerry's claims that Unilever is violating the merger agreement between the two companies. Ben & Jerry’s argues that Unilever has been pressuring its leadership, including CEO David Stever, to stifle its public stance on social issues. This legal action represents a critical moment in the ongoing struggle between business interests and social activism.
Unilever's efforts to silence Ben & Jerry's social mission
Since its founding in 1978, Ben & Jerry’s has been at the forefront of advocating for social causes such as climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice. However, its relationship with Unilever has become increasingly strained over the years, especially after Ben & Jerry's took a stand by halting sales in the West Bank in 2021. The company claims that Unilever’s attempts to silence its activism are directly conflicting with its social mission.
Unilever tries to control Ben & Jerry’s political voice
One of the most significant points of contention between Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s was the ice cream maker’s support for Palestinian refugees and its call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Ben & Jerry's has accused Unilever of trying to prevent it from publicly voicing support for these issues, a move that has resulted in legal action from the ice cream company.
Ben & Jerry’s further claims that Unilever attempted to ban the company from publicly criticizing President Donald Trump. The legal filing suggests that Unilever has threatened Ben & Jerry’s staff, including CEO David Stever, with consequences if they do not comply with the company’s efforts to curb its political activism.
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CEO David Stever’s long relationship with Ben & Jerry’s
David Stever, who joined Ben & Jerry’s in 1988 and became CEO in 2023, has been an integral part of the company’s social mission. According to Ben & Jerry’s lawsuit, Unilever’s decision to oust Stever was made without the necessary consultation with the independent board, violating the merger agreement’s terms. The legal dispute raises questions about Unilever's control over the direction of the brand.
