Jerry Greenfield, one of the founders of Ben & Jerry’s, has stepped down from the ice cream company, reportedly saying he could no longer remain part of a business whose independence had been “silenced” by parent company Unilever (LSE:ULVR).
According to a letter reported by the Financial Times, Greenfield pointed to the gradual erosion of the brand’s autonomy as his main reason for leaving, despite merger terms originally designed to preserve the company’s social mission.
“That independence existed largely because of the special merger agreement” negotiated by Greenfield and fellow co-founder Ben Cohen, he wrote. Greenfield described the current situation as “profoundly disappointing,” adding that the very foundation of the sale to Unilever—the brand’s independent voice—has been lost.
His departure highlights growing tensions between the socially-minded ice cream company and its parent, Unilever, which acquired Ben & Jerry’s with commitments to maintain the brand’s ability to pursue social advocacy.
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