Ben & Jerry’s has removed the chair of its independent board and introduced new term limits, marking a major governance shift at the Vermont-based ice cream brand following its separation from Unilever.
The move sees Anuradha Mittal step down with immediate effect after serving on the board since 2007 and as chair since 2018. Under the new rules, any director who has served more than nine years will no longer be eligible for annual re-election from 2026.
Ben & Jerry’s said three directors have been notified that they are no longer eligible to serve going forward. Alongside Mittal, long-standing board members Daryn Dodson and Jennifer Henderson are expected to see their terms end on 31 December.
The decision comes just days after Unilever completed the spin-off of its ice cream business, creating The Magnum Ice Cream Company as the world’s largest standalone ice cream group. The new company now controls roughly one-fifth of the global ice cream market, estimated at $87 billion.
Why it matters
For supermarkets and branded suppliers, the change signals a tightening of governance at one of the world’s most recognisable packaged food brands sold through major retail chains.
Ben & Jerry’s unique governance structure dates back to its 2000 acquisition by Unilever, which preserved an independent board to protect the brand’s social mission. That structure has been a source of tension in recent years, particularly after the brand halted sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in 2021.
With the ice cream business now operating outside Unilever, the introduction of fixed term limits brings Ben & Jerry’s closer to standard governance practices seen across global packaged food brands supermarkets work with every day.
Magnum has said it supports the steps being taken to strengthen oversight and accountability at the brand. As part of the transition, an independent audit of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation was ordered. The company has stated that concerns remain around financial controls and governance, putting the foundation’s $5 million annual funding at risk.
From a retail perspective, clearer governance reduces operational uncertainty for buyers and partners. Stable board structures and defined leadership terms are increasingly important as supermarkets assess brand risk, reputation, and long-term supply relationships.
The move also aligns with wider discussions around supermarket sustainability strategy, where governance and accountability now sit alongside environmental and social commitments as key evaluation criteria for major brands.
Ben & Jerry’s has not commented further on whether additional governance changes are planned, but the decision marks one of the most decisive resets since the brand’s ownership transition.
