Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Greenfield quits, cites Unilever ’silencing’ - report

Published 17/09/2025, 06:04
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has reportedly resigned from the ice cream company, stating he could no longer "in good conscience" remain with a business that had been "silenced" by parent company Unilever.

In a letter reported by the Financial Times, Greenfield cited the erosion of the brand’s independence as the primary reason for his departure, despite a merger agreement that was designed to protect the company’s social mission.

"That independence existed in no small part because of the unique merger agreement" that he and fellow co-founder Ben Cohen had negotiated, Greenfield wrote in his letter.

He expressed deep disappointment about the current situation, adding: "It’s profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone."

The resignation marks a significant moment in the relationship between the socially conscious ice cream brand and Unilever, which acquired Ben & Jerry’s while supposedly maintaining provisions for the brand’s independent social advocacy.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.