Unilever nominates Peter ter Kulve as CEO of ice cream division

UK – London-based Unilever has nominated Peter ter Kulve as its preferred candidate to head the Magnum Ice Cream Company, the group’s ice cream division.

A spokesperson at Unilever stated that Ter Kulve is expected to receive approval from the Unilever board in July 2025 for his appointment as CEO of the Magnum Ice Cream Company.

Ter Kulve, currently the president of the ice cream business, will become CEO of the Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), which is expected to list in Amsterdam by the end of the year.

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is home to six of the world’s top 10 ice cream brands, including Ben & Jerry’s, which has been publicly at odds with Ter Kulve and its parent company in recent years over its stance on the war in Gaza.

Representatives for Ben & Jerry’s and its independent board did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Ben & Jerry’s has been involved in a series of disputes with the company in recent years, including a March 2025 lawsuit over the removal of Ben & Jerry’s CEO and its calls for a cease-fire in Gaza.

 Unilever 3% sales growth in its Q1 FY 2025

Recently, the company reported sales growth of 3% in its Q1 FY 2025, which reflected the strength of its increasingly premium and innovation-led portfolio in developed markets. 

In the ice cream business, sales grew 4.0%, with 1.8% from volume and 2.2% from price. The company stated that the positive performance reflects strong innovations and the continued improvement in our operations as we approach the summer season.

In-home Ice Cream (approximately 60% of total Ice Cream sales) delivered mid-single-digit growth with positive volume and price. Out-of-home Ice Cream (around 40% of total Ice Cream sales) grew low-single digit, driven by price.

Magnum grew mid-single digit supported by the introduction of its Utopia range, featuring new flavours, Double Cherry and Double Hazelnut. Yasso grew double-digit and expanded its Poppables and Bars ranges to new flavours.

The company stated, “In Ice Cream, we are focused on continuing to strengthen the business in preparation for Ice Cream’s separation by the end of 2025. We are doing this by developing an exciting product pipeline, designing more efficient go-to-market strategies, optimising our supply chain and building a dedicated sales team globally.

“The separation will create a world-leading business, operating in a highly attractive category with five of the top ten selling global ice cream brands.”

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