The Benevolent appoints new chairman

Dan Townsend of Treasury Wine Estates has been appointed the new chairman of UK drinks trade charity The Benevolent.

(L-R) New chairman Dan Townsend, Master Vintner Rupert Clevely and former chairman Chris Porter

His appointment, which was announced at The Vintners’ Company Annual Wine Trade Lunch on 9 January, follows the completion of Chris Porter’s two year tenure as Chairman.

Mr Townsend has previously held senior roles at Matthew Clark, Constellation Europe and Louis Latour Agencies prior to his current role as General Manager UK, Ireland and Western Europe at Treasury Wine Estates.

The new chairman’s flagship fundraising initiative for 2015 will be The Thames Path Challenge taking place on the 12 and 13 of September which will see fundraisers run, walk or jog the 50km stretch from Putney Bridge to Runneymede.

Dan Townsend and his colleagues at Treasury Wine Estates will be taking part in the challenge but he is also encouraging members of the trade to join the Treasury team and raise funds on behalf of their trade charity, The Benevolent.

On his appointment, Dan Townsend said: “I have been an active supporter of The Benevolent’s activities for many years but since my closer involvement as a Trustee over the last two years it has been wonderful to support and see the great work that the team do at closer quarters helping those within our great industry with much needed assistance. I am really looking forward to working with David Cox and The Benevolent team over the next two years to raise awareness and engagement across the drinks trade.”

David Cox, chief  executive of The Benevolent said: “Since joining The Benevolent I have been wonderfully supported by a highly engaged and effective Board of Trustees, chaired by an incredible chairman, Chris Porter. He has achieved so much by personally raising a huge amount of money for the charity but also by providing superb leadership. As he steps down and we welcome Dan Townsend I am truly looking forward to a new phase of success and working with Dan to broaden further the awareness and the vibrancy of this amazing and much-needed trade charity.”

The Vintners’ Company Annual Wine Trade Lunch also saw Warren Adamson awarded this year’s Vintners’ Benevolent Award which was established by The Trade Liaison Committee of The Vintners’ Company in 2013 to acknowledge and celebrate an individual who has actively and passionately worked to support the trade charity.

Adamson, who is sales director for Craggy Range Vineyards, completed the Deloitte Ride Across Britain 969 miles cycle challenge in September 2014 and raised over £4,000 for The Benevolent.

If you would like to join the Treasury team on The Thames Path Challenge email alessandra.brugola@thebenevolent.org.uk