Sir Martin Narey has announced that after six years as Chair he is stepping down from the Portman Group. Sir Martin will formally leave his role on Friday 29th November 2019.
Sir Martin said:
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my six years chairing the Portman Group working with two excellent Chief Executives. I am proud of what has been achieved, not least in removing from the market some products which were irresponsible and inappropriate.
“I continue to believe that when consumed sensibly, alcohol brings great pleasure to social life in the UK. However, alcohol misuse can also damage people’s lives and harm their families and the industry needs to do more to address those harms.”
Commenting John Timothy, Chief Executive of the Portman Group, said:
“I want to thank Sir Martin for his hard work and dedication to the Portman Group over the last six years. Martin has been an exceptional Chair, showing tremendous commitment to the role and helping drive up standards of social responsibility. He steps down with our thanks and very best wishes for the future.”
Commenting on behalf of all Portman Group members, David Forde, Managing Director, Heineken UK, said:
“On behalf of the Portman Group members we thank Sir Martin Narey for his personal contribution in further strengthening the Code of Practice and steering the Portman Group into its thirtieth year as the global leader in effective self-regulation. We wish him all the best for the future.”
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Melanie Woodnick | Interim Director of External Affairs
0207 290 1460 | 07719 324021 | mwoodnick@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 funded by its eight member companies: Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands UK; Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I; Carlsberg UK; Diageo GB; Heineken UK; Molson Coors Brewing Company UK; Pernod Ricard UK and Jägermeister UK.