Ex London Wine Fair boss becomes The Benevolent CEO

The former head of the London Wine Fair, Ross Carter, has been named as the new chief executive of drinks trade charity The Benevolent, following the departure of current CEO Chris Porter.

Carter stepped down from his position as director of LWF organiser Brintex in 2017, having first been appointed to run the show in 2013 when the event moved from ExCel in east London to Olympia in West Kensington.

He will replace current CEO Chris Porter, who has sat on The Benevolent’s board of trustees since 2010, and acted as chairman in 2013 and 2014.

Since 2017 Carter has headed up the foodservice and hospitality division of exhibition organiser, Fresh Montgomery.

Carter said: “Being offered the role of CEO of The Benevolent is a privilege and a great honour and I am delighted to have been given this opportunity by the Board of Trustees.

“I am also grateful for the trust they are placing in me to evolve what is an industry institution and I am eager to bring great energy and enthusiasm to deliver on a mandate to develop the charity.”

Speaking to db at the time, Carter described the 2017 fair as “certainly the most challenging of (my) career”, citing the turbulent political and economic climate and unfavourable exchange rates as the main reason for the difficulties.

Michael Saunders, the charity’s chairman, said Carter “has our full support as we look to evolve the good work that The Benevolent has continued to do since 1886.”