Ben & Jerry’s social justice activism is “a strength, not a weakness”, Unilever has insisted, amid questions over whether the brand’s political campaigning could deter potential buyers. Unilever, which owns Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Dove and Marmite, is plotting a sale of its ice cream division as part of a turnaround plan by its new chief executive Hein Schumacher. However, questions have been raised as to whether Ben & Jerry’s campaigning on political issues and its independent board could pose a problem for companies seeking to acquire the division. Ben & Jerry’s has repeatedly clashed with Unilever over the years and has not shied away from weighing in publicly on contentious topics, such as criticising the US for being “built on stolen indigenous land” and accusing President Joe Biden of “fanning the flames of war” in Ukraine. Mr Schumacher told journalists on Thursday: “We believe that [social purpose] is a very important part of the brand… we believe building on the social mission will build the brand and it will clearly be part of the ice cream company going forward.” Fernando Fernandez, Unilever’s chief financial officer, added: “We believe it’s a strength and not a weakness”. Unlike its other ice...