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The Benevolent names new chairman

Drinks industry charity The Benevolent has appointed Tom Yusef as chairman following the completion of Dan Townsend’s two-year tenure.

L-R: David Cox, Tom Yusef and Robert Rolls

Yusef joins the charity following more than 40 years of service in the freight forwarding sector, first with Ferry Freighting Group, and then as chairman and joint MD of JF Hillebrand.

He has pledged to use his knowledge of and contacts within the UK drinks industry to raise the profile of The Benevolent, and encourage engagement and financial support from the wider trade.

Yusef’s two year appointment as chairman was announced at The Vintners’ Company Annual Wine Trade Lunch on Friday 13 January.

“I am honoured, privileged and delighted to be appointed chairman of The Benevolent, our own trade charity,” he said. “I am looking forward to working with a professional and committed team lead by a very dedicated chief executive David Cox. I shall of course do my utmost in the interest of those whose benefit we strive to serve.”

During the lunch, The Vintners’ Benevolent Award was presented to Verity Milns, corporate communications manager at Liberty Wines. Created to celebrate a person who has “actively and innovatively” helped raise awareness of The Benevolent; Milns was rewarded for going “above and beyond the call of duty” in support of the charity.

Jo Cain from William Grant & Sons was also presented with an award as ‘Long-time Supporter of The Benevolent’ for “outstandingly proving herself an impassioned and educated advocate” for The Benevolent over many years.

At the end of the lunch, The Vintners’ Company presented a cheque for £12,500 to The Benevolent, which the charity says “will greatly aid colleagues from the UK drinks industry facing a variety of difficult circumstances” – including serious illness, financial hardship or personal crises.

“I am thrilled that this popular New Year lunch was another sold-out event,” added Cox. “The charity is indebted to the Vintners’ who donate the entire revenue from the lunch which helps enormously with our fundraising.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to Dan Townsend for his terrific leadership and support and I look forward to working with Tom who I know will be an exemplary chairman.”

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