The Portman Group celebrated its thirty-year anniversary in 2019, having driven sustained and positive change across the industry. As we look to the future, we are evolving to continue to have a positive impact, broadening our representation across the industry and creating a coalition of leaders in social responsibility.
Today we are delighted to announce that SHS Drinks has re-joined the Portman Group along with Aston Manor Cider and Asahi UK. By joining the Group the membership grows more in one month than in the past decade. The three new members bring the total to 11 Council Members and increases the representation of beer, cider and premixed alcoholic drinks.
Tim Clay, Managing Director, Asahi UK:
“As a premium beer business, we recognise that setting the highest standards and meeting consumer expectations extends beyond just the quality of our products and services. Promoting responsible consumption is a central part of our identity, and we aim to live the values of integrity and authenticity across all our brands. We are absolutely committed to ensuing we earn and maintain trust, both for our own business and collectively across the wider industry. As part of this objective, we are signatories and members of many organisations throughout our global network, and we intend to play an active role in continuing to drive best practice in the UK as part of the Portman Group.”
Karen Salters, Group Director, SHS Drinks:
‘’As an established producer of alcoholic beverages, SHS Drinks has always taken its duty towards responsible consumption very seriously. Our portfolio of successful brands offers consumers choice and diversity and through our entire business operations we strive to deliver the very highest standards as a trustworthy producer. Re-joining The Portman Group confirms recognition of these credentials whilst enabling SHS Drinks to have a leading voice in the industry conversation around responsible alcohol consumption’’
Gordon Johncox, CEO, Aston Manor Cider:
“We have invested over £30 million across the last five years to meet the expanding sustainability ambitions of the business. Joining the Portman Group is a logical next step for us to make to showcase and develop our social responsibility commitments.”
John Timothy, CEO, Portman Group:
“There was a spirit of camaraderie that led to the founding of the Portman Group 30 years ago. We continue to be inspired by our founders to take the most responsible approach to the alcohol industry. In celebrating our anniversary we hope to kickstart a new wave of growth in the membership. I am delighted to welcome Asahi UK, Aston Manor Cider and SHS Drinks to the Portman Group and hope that other companies will emulate our newest members and join us as we seek to work with and alongside those with a genuine commitment to lead.”
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Nicola Bates
0207 290 1463 or 07719 324021 or comms@localhost
Notes to editors:
- The Portman Group is the social responsibility body for alcohol producers in the UK. Our aim is to help reduce the harms related to alcohol and to promote responsible drinking. We regulate the promotion and packaging of alcoholic drinks sold or marketed in the UK; challenge and encourage the industry to market its products responsibly; and lead on best practice in alcohol corporate social responsibility.
- The Portman Group is the alcohol industry regulator. It has more than 130 code signatories from producers, retailers and membership bodies. The Portman Group is funded by the following companies: Asahi UK; Aston Manor Cider; Bacardi; Brown-Forman Brands UK; Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I; Carlsberg UK; Diageo GB; Heineken UK; Mast-Jäegermeister UK; Pernod Ricard UK; SHS Drinks.