David Cox joins The Benevolent

David Cox, former director of New Zealand Winegrowers, has been appointed chief executive of The Benevolent.

Cox will take up his new position on 8 April. He will replace current chief executive Paul Newman, who is leaving the charity to head one of the country’s leading residential and nursing care home providers, Greensleeves Homes Trust.

Chris Porter, chairman of The Benevolent, said he was “delighted at Cox’s appointment: “He is a well known and respected figure within the trade and is ideally placed to provide first hand knowledge of what the UK drinks industry needs from its trade charity. Under Paul Newman’s innovative and superb leadership we have made great headway updating The Benevolent’s operations and raising its profile within the drinks industry and I believe David is ideally placed to carry on this vital work.

“David’s unparalleled connections within the trade, combined with business acumen and bold leadership style make him ideally placed to engage all branches of the trade and to keep The Benevolent right at the heart of the drinks industry.“

Cox added: “I have long felt that despite our drinks trade becoming increasingly dynamic and competitive the word ‘community’ always seems to prevail. Those who work in the trade are mostly privileged to work with great people and great brands and they enjoy a very vibrant community.

“I am looking forward to helping The Benevolent to provide valuable support to those in our trade who are not so lucky, at all stages in their career, and when they find themselves in a time of need.  I believe that the culture and ethos of the drinks industry attracts like-minded caring people and it is my intention to grow the awareness of, and connection with, the work of The Benevolent.”