DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Jostein Solheim has been named chief executive of Ben &
Jerry's Ice Cream unit, effective immediately.
Solheim has worked 14 years in five countries for global
consumer-products giant Unilever PLC (UL, ULVR.LN), Ben &
Jerry's Anglo-Dutch parent company.
He succeeds Walt Freese, who was among a number of Unilever
executives who decided to move on since Paul Polman took over as
Unilever CEO slightly more than a year ago.
Polman, who previously held top jobs at rivals Nestle SA (NSRGY,
NESN,VX) and Procter & Gamble Co. (PG), was Unilever's first
CEO to come from outside the company, and a management shake-up was
expected in the wake of his arrival.
Unilever said, "Solheim's global experience and passion for the
ice-cream business will be critical in leading Ben & Jerry's
through the next phase of growth."
In 2000, Unilever purchased Ben & Jerry's for $326 million.
The quirky ice-cream maker was known for its imaginatively named
flavors and commitment to social causes, including giving a
percentage of its profit to charity.
Unilever's American depositary shares closed Friday at $29.42
and were inactive after hours.
-By Kathy Shwiff, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2357;
Kathy.Shwiff@dowjones.com