Chris Porter to become Benevolent CEO

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 08 August, 2017

Director of JF Hillebrand’s Porter and Laker business is to become the Benevolent’s new CEO.

It was announced this morning that Chris Porter will be leaving the logistics provider after 34 years to take the top job at the industry’s charity.

He will replace current CEO David Cox and former European Director of New Zealand Winegrowers who joined the Benevolent as chief executive in 2013.

Cox is now due to retire.

During his time with JF Hillebrand, Porter oversaw the growth of freight forwarding family business Porter & Laker Ltd, which serves the UK independent trade, through its transition to becoming a part of JF Hillebrand.

Sebastien Desreumaux, managing director of JF Hillebrand UK said today that there is “no better man for the job” than Porter, who will officially become the Benevolent’s CEO on January 1.

For the past 16 years, Porter has been an active supporter of the Benevolent as a trustee, and as its chairman in 2013 and 2014.

“It was always going to take something very special for me to move anywhere after a very rewarding and enjoyable 34 years with two wonderful family businesses.

“The Benevolent is that something very special. It is a fantastic opportunity for me and represents everything that I believe in. I look forward to building on the terrific impact made by David Cox over the last four years, driving the charity further forwards as we develop our strategic goals,” he said.

During his time at the charity, Cox has influenced multiple changes and helped to significantly raise awareness of the charity.

For example, a strategic decision was taken in 2013 to move away from owning physical retirement and care homes to providing broader support tailored to meet the needs of current members of the trade as well as retired employees.

This heralded the introduction of the ‘emotional and practical’ type of support alongside the financial help that the charity was known for.

Heading into retirement, Cox said: “I have loved being part of this trade and so will not disappear completely. I will still be seen at trade tastings and, if invited, still making a spectacle of myself on the dancefloor."

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