The Magnum Ice Cream Company announces Board of Directors ahead of demerger

NETHERLANDS – The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), an ice cream company, has announced the compilation of its Board of Directors in anticipation of its demerger from Unilever and listing on Euronext Amsterdam, the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.  

TMICC will be governed by a one-tier Board structure, comprising both Executive and Non-Executive Directors.

The new Board brings together global leadership, deep industry expertise and a shared passion for creating extraordinary ice cream experiences that bring joy to people around the world. 

As previously announced: Jean-François van Boxmeer will serve as Chair of The Magnum Ice Cream Company Board, bringing broad international experience from senior executive and non-executive roles at Vodafone, Heineken, Henkel and the European Round Table for Industry.

 He will also chair the Nomination & Governance Committee.

Peter ter Kulve is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will be an Executive Director of The Magnum Ice Cream Company, having originally joined Unilever Ice Cream in 1988 and having held various senior management roles within Unilever across Asia and Europe.

Abhijit Bhattacharya is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will be an Executive Director of The Magnum Ice Cream Company.

Before joining Unilever Ice Cream in 2024, he had a career spanning 38 years at Koninklijke Philips, including time as Group CFO, CFO Healthcare and Head of Investor Relations.

Working alongside these three leaders, the company will have a strong and diverse Board, including seven Non-Executive Directors.

First is Stacey Cartwright, the Chair of Savills plc and a Non-Executive Director of AerCap Holdings N.V. and Gymshark.

She is a qualified chartered accountant and brings deep expertise in the global retail industry, including time as EVP and CFO at Burberry plc and Deputy Chair and CEO at Harvey Nichols Group.

Stacey will be the Senior Independent Director (SID) and Vice-Chair of the TMICC Board and will be a member of the Audit & Risk Committee and the Nomination & Governance Committee.

Second is René Hooft Graafland, the Chair of Lucas Bols N.V and a member of the Chinko Conservation Area Board having previously served on the Supervisory Boards of Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV, FrieslandCampina NV, Wolters Kluwer NV.

He brings extensive international financial leadership experience including 13 years as CFO Heineken N.V. Rene will Chair the Audit & Risk Committee and will be a member of the Nomination & Governance Committee.

Third is Melissa Bethell, a Non-Executive Director of Diageo plc, Exor NV and Tesco plc (where she Chairs the Remuneration Committee) and a Senior Advisor to Atairos (a private investment fund).

She brings a wealth of experience across retail, finance, telco industries including 18 years at Bain Capital. Melissa will Chair the Remuneration Committee and will be a member of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Fourth is Stefan Bomhard, the Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Brands plc and a Non-Executive Director of Compass Group plc.

He brings diverse executive experience gained at leading FMCG companies such as Burger King, Mondelez, Unilever, Bacardi-Martini and Procter & Gamble. Stefan will be a member of the Audit & Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee.

Fifth member is Anja Mutsaers, an experienced Supervisory Board member and frequent lecturer on leadership and law.

In 2010, Anja was appointed De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek’s first female Corporate/M&A partner, where she specialised in Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance and Commercial Contracts, serving in that role until early 2025.

Anja will be a member of the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination & Governance Committee. 

The sixth member Reginaldo Ecclissato, the president of 1 Unilever Markets with responsibility for all 1 Unilever Markets globally, serving consumers with a sharp portfolio of power brands that is drawn from across Unilever Business Groups.

Since joining Unilever in 1991, he has worked across multiple markets and categories including time as EVP Mexico and North Latin America overseeing 11 markets and 12 product categories and Chief Business Operations and Supply Chain Officer. Reginaldo will be a member of the Nomination & Governance Committee.

Additionally, Josh Frank serves as a Non-Executive Director of Janus Henderson Group plc and as a partner at Trian Fund Management, L.P., since 2011.

He previously served as a director of Sysco Corporation from 2015 to 2021. Josh’s appointment will take effect on or before 1 March 2026, when he will also become a member of the Remuneration Committee.

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