July 10 (Reuters) - The Magnum Ice Cream Company said on

Thursday it has appointed Jochanan Senf as the global chief

executive officer of Ben & Jerry's ( UL ), effective mid-July.

The leadership change comes as Ben & Jerry's ( UL ) is locked in a

legal fight with parent Unilever ( UL ) over the removal of

its former CEO Dave Stever, who had been with the ice cream

maker since 1988 and was appointed to the top role in May 2023.

In court filings, Ben & Jerry's ( UL ) said Unilever ( UL ) removed Stever

without board approval, violating an agreement meant to protect

the ice cream brand's independence and social activism.

Senf previously worked as the managing director of Ben &

Jerry's Europe and held senior roles in Unilever's ( UL ) foods

division.

Unilever ( UL ) plans to spin off its ice cream business, which

includes Ben & Jerry's ( UL ), Magnum and Breyers, later this year.