Unilever appoints activist shareholder, raising speculation over ice cream unit

Billionaire Nelson Peltz, whose fund management company has taken a 1.5% stake in the company, will join the  board in July

Magnum ice cream, one of Unilever's brands. Picture: Dan Linehan

Unilever has appointed Nelson Peltz as a non-executive director, driving expectations the activist investor will shake up the slow-growing consumer-goods giant.

Mr Peltz will join the board in July and become a member of the compensation committee, Unilever said. His Trian Fund Management has taken a 1.5% stake in the company, which makes everything from Magnum ice cream to Dove Soap.