Ice Cream Boardroom Bust-Up: Tensions Rise Between Unilever and Ben & Jerry's Over Governance Disputes

Ben & Jerry's independent board chair Anuradha Mittal faces pressure from Unilever amid governance disputes as the separate Magnum ice cream division prepares for its public spinoff. An audit criticized financial controls within Ben & Jerry's Foundation, intensifying a corporate feud rooted in the brand's political stance.

Tensions are escalating as Unilever pressures Anuradha Mittal, the chair of Ben & Jerry's independent board, to resign ahead of Magnum's public spinoff. Reports from a recent audit have sparked controversy over governance issues within the separate Ben & Jerry's Foundation, where Mittal holds a trustee position.

Mittal, under scrutiny from the audit revealing deficiencies in financial controls, has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing and links the inquiries to Unilever's broader strategy to undermine the board. She reiterates the importance of adhering to established governance principles and preserving the board's authority.

As Magnum prepares to list on Euronext, it inherits a longstanding feud between Unilever and Ben & Jerry's, fueled by the brand's controversial political views. While Unilever argues for good governance, Mittal and Ben & Jerry's board pin the blame on purported administrative motives.