The Portman Group appoints chairman

Published: 14 August, 2009

The alcohol and social responsibility body for drinks producers, the Portman Group has appointed Seymour Fortescue as its first external chairman.

Previous chairs have been appointed from among the senior drinks executives from the nine member groups of the Portman Group's Council.

Fortescue has held several senior positions in marketing, regulation and health promotion across the private, voluntary and public sectors, including the Banking Code Standards Board, Health Education Authority, Barclaycard and Barclays Bank.

The new position is designed to provide independent leadership on marketing and social responsibility standards for drinks producers.

Fortescue said: "The Portman Group is already a highly respected alcohol regulator and is a key player in addressing the adverse aspects of our drinking culture. I look forward to working closely with other groups to build a consensus around actions that promote responsible attitudes to alcohol. I firmly believe that self-regulation based on a tough code of practice that is rigorously monitored and enforced is the right way forward."

The Portman Group is the dedicated social responsibility body for drinks producers, regulating the marketing of all UK drinks companies. The work of the Portman Group is funded by its nine member companies: Bacardi-Martini, Beverage Brands, Brown-Forman; Carlsberg; Molson Coors Brewing Company; Diageo; Inbev; Pernod Ricard; and Scottish & Newcastle.

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