Overview
- An SDNY filing says Magnum lacked authority to oust Chair Anuradha Mittal and imposes changes that breach the 2000 deal, and it asks to add Magnum as a defendant in the ongoing case against Unilever.
- Magnum removed Mittal, adopted nine-year term limits that would force out two more directors by year-end, and required remaining members to accept new rules and training on short deadlines.
- The board is seeking an injunction to reverse removals and block further director changes, requesting an expedited ruling within weeks.
- The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation moved to join the case to safeguard its funding after an audit and governance demands it calls unreasonable, saying it expects about $6 million next year and has been notified of no wrongdoing.
- Magnum and Unilever say the governance steps are necessary for transparency and to preserve the social mission, as Unilever’s ice cream business was spun off into Magnum earlier this month.