Summary
Anuradha Mittal, the former chair of Ben & Jerry's board, claims that Magnum Ice Cream Company threatened to damage her reputation unless she resigned. This issue stems from disagreements over the board's independence and the company's social missions following Magnum's acquisition of Ben & Jerry's. Mittal says the threats were part of a wider conflict over the company's ability to speak on social issues.
Key Facts
- Anuradha Mittal was the chair of Ben & Jerry's independent board for seven years.
- Mittal alleges that Magnum threatened to release false statements about her if she did not step down.
- The dispute involves the degree of independence the board has, particularly with respect to social and political issues.
- Magnum took control of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream unit after it separated from Unilever earlier this year.
- An audit found issues with financial controls and governance at the Ben & Jerry's Foundation.
- Two other board members are also required to leave due to new rules set by Magnum.
- Mittal refused an offered position in a Unilever-funded non-profit.
- Jerry Greenfield, a co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, left the firm because he felt its social mission was being limited.
