Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. has announced a series of steps to strengthen its corporate governance and reaffirm the responsibilities of the board of Ben & Jerry’s.
The actions aim to preserve and enhance the brand’s historical social mission and safeguard its essential integrity following the ice cream maker’s transition to new parent company The Magnum Ice Cream Co. (TMICC)
Since 2000, the board has worked with the company to ensure Ben & Jerry’s is a vital voice for social change and to amplify movements that shape a more just and equitable world. The governance changes align to principles and policies across parent company TMICC, the merger agreement and standard corporate governance codes.
Nine-year term limit established for board members
The governance changes include establishing a nine-year term limit in line with the TMICC Group governance model and best practices, reaffirming the requirement to comply with TMICC’s Code of Business Integrity and setting a board meeting cadence aligned with the merger agreement with protocols on engagement that advance the three-part mission and abide by requirements of respect, dignity and fair treatment.
Ben & Jerry’s remains fully committed to its unique three-part mission – product, economic and social – and it continues to advocate for a range of progressive and nonpartisan causes and be a bold voice for social justice.
“The Ben & Jerry’s merger agreement and the role of the board is unique in the business world, and it’s crucial to the long-term future of the Ben & Jerry’s three-part mission,” said Jochanan Senf, CEO of Ben & Jerry’s.
“That’s why today, we are strengthening governance, increasing transparency and committing ourselves to greater accountability. These improvements matter because they will support us in our journey to become even more impactful and to drive progressive change for years to come. The announcement today is a recommitment to what has always made Ben & Jerry’s special as we take important steps to strengthen the governance around the board and reset our focus for the future.”
Three directors ineligible for re-election
As a result of the governance changes, any director who has served more than nine years on the Ben & Jerry’s Board is not eligible for annual re-election to the board in 2026. Two directors were notified that they will no longer be eligible to serve on the board going forward. In total, three directors have been notified of their ineligibility to serve on the board.
All current board members have been asked to reaffirm their commitment to complying with the Code of Business Integrity, consistent with the merger agreement.
Foundation Funding Discussions Continue
A recent audit of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, a separate independent charitable organization funded by Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s prior to the demerger, was conducted as a matter of good governance and in preparation for the recent separation from Unilever.
Since 2000, Unilever has provided more than $70 million which has been disbursed by the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation to grassroots causes. The foundation was fully funded in 2025. Although Ben & Jerry’s and TMICC remain ready and willing to fund the foundation if these governance changes are made, as of Dec. 12 the Foundation Trustees have declined to do so. Ben & Jerry’s and TMICC are prepared to evaluate alternative plans to ensure that the company can continue to have a positive impact by supporting grassroots charitable organizations worldwide.
Ben & Jerry’s believes in a greater calling than simply making and selling ice cream. The Burlington, Vermont-based company produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and nondairy or vegan desserts using high-quality ingredients. The Magnum Ice Cream Company officially spun off from Unilever earlier this month, creating a separate publicly listed ice cream business.
[RELATED: Ben & Jerry’s Joins Hiring Program For At-Risk Youth]