PRESS DIGEST-British Business - March 16

March 16 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

The Times

- Ben & Jerry's co‑founder Ben Cohen criticised activist investor Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund for tightening its grip on the brand's parent company, Magnum MICCT.AS, after the hedge fund installed Josh Frank, Trian's chief investment officer, on the ice‑cream maker's board.

- Harwood Capital is pushing M&C Saatchi SAA.L to break up the advertising group to unlock value from its mix of businesses, adding pressure as the company faces leadership turmoil.

The Guardian

- Huntsman Corp's HUN.N chief executive warned the company may shut its Teesside chemicals plant within months if UK gas prices remain high.

- Britain is weighing plans to send minesweeping drones to the Strait of Hormuz rather than deploy naval ships, as ministers seek to avoid escalating tensions with the U.S. while working to keep oil flows moving.

The Telegraph

- Britain has refused U.S. President Donald Trump's call to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer set to promise support to "working people" with cost-of-living pressures worsened by the conflict in the Middle East.

Sky News

- Medical device maker Smith & Nephew SN.L is planning to lift its chief executive’s maximum pay to more than 14 million pounds, a rise of over 50%, as the company moves to bring its remuneration in line with U.S. rivals.

The Independent

- Chinese e‑commerce giant JD.com 9618.HK launched its Joybuy online marketplace in the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, stepping up its push beyond its home market and taking aim at market leader Amazon AMZN.O.