Unilever did not explicitly state the reasons for removing Stever in public statements. However, Ben & Jerry's alleged that Stever was removed due to his commitment to the company's social mission and political activism, which Unilever sought to suppress. In a performance review, Unilever chastised Stever for supporting Ben & Jerry's social goals.

The merger agreement protects Ben & Jerry's social mission by requiring Unilever to consult with the Independent Board before making significant decisions, including CEO removals. It also positions the Independent Board as custodians of the social mission and brand integrity.

Unilever's actions could lead to significant financial and reputational harm to Ben & Jerry's, as the brand's social activism is integral to its identity and customer appeal. Additionally, Unilever plans to spin off its ice cream business, which may further impact Ben & Jerry's operations.

Ben & Jerry's social activism has led to conflicts with Unilever, particularly over issues like halting sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in 2021. Unilever later sold Ben & Jerry's intellectual property in the region to a distributor, which Ben & Jerry's claimed breached their merger agreement.