Ben & Jerry’s appoints Dave Stever as chief executive officer

Ben & Jerry’s has promoted its chief marketing officer Dave Stever to the role of chief executive officer, who took up the role on 8 May 2023.

Ben & Jerry’s former CEO Matthew McCarthy.

Stever succeeds Matthew McCarthy, who “recently retired” from the company after five years as CEO. The ice cream giant says this is the first time since co-founder Ben Cohen stepped down as CEO in 1994 that a staff member has been promoted from within to the CEO position.

Stever has worked for Ben & Jerry’s for almost 35 years – including the last 12 as chief marketing officer – where he started as a tour guide in 1988 at the business’ Waterbury factory.

According to Ben & Jerry’s, Stever has created “impactful partnerships” with Tony’s Chocolonely, Netflix, Willie Nelson, Sir Elton John, Jimmy Fallon, Colin Kaepernick and Chance the Rapper.

Anuradha Mittal, Ben & Jerry’s board chair, said: “The board is very pleased with the selection of Dave as Ben & Jerry’s next CEO, and not just because of his passion…Dave’s long history at Ben & Jerry’s, along with his recognition of the integral role that the company’s values and ‘Social Mission’ play in our growth and our commitment to advancing justice and equity in the world, make him the best choice to write the next chapter.”

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen, added: “Dave started out 30 years ago as a tour guide. And now he’s CEO. He knows Ben & Jerry’s inside and out. He lives it and breathes it. We are psyched to have someone with Dave’s talent, passion and demonstrated ability as our CEO.”