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New Benevolent chair calls for regular donations
The Benevolent has officially welcomed its new chairman, Bibendum CEO Michael Saunders, who has urged drinks industry peers to donate to the charity more frequently.
L-r: Michael Saunders, CEO of Bibendum and chairman of The Benevolent; Sir Andrew Parmley, master of The Vintners’ Company; Tom Yusef, former chairman of The Benevolent; and Chris Porter, CEO of The Benevolent
Saunders succeeds Tom Yusef’s two-year tenure in the role. Saunders joined Bibendum in 1982 and worked as managing director until 2016 when he moved to parent company Conviviality. He stepped down as business development director for Conviviality in December 2017.
Saunders rejoined Bibendum in May 2018, following the sale of Conviviality to Magners Cider maker C&C Group.
In his first speech as chairman, which was during The Vintners’ Company Annual Lunch in aid of The Benevolent on 11 January, Saunders highlighted the need for “consistent support” for The Benevolent and encouraged colleagues within the drinks industry to become regular donors of the charity as part of his chairman’s challenge.
He likened it to “buying the equivalent of a drink for The Benevolent every month”. The charity’s regular donor scheme can be found here: www.donate.kindlink.com/the-benevolent/1475.
Saunders said: “2019 promises to be another important year for The Benevolent and I look forward to playing my part in supporting Chris [Porter, The Benevolent CEO] and his team to both raise awareness of our work and the vital funds needed to enable us to provide the support that is in such demand.”