C&C Group, Mark Anthony Brands join Portman Group

C&C Group and Mark Anthony Brands International have joined the Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK.

The companies are the first new members to join in 2021, the 25th anniversary year of the group’s Code of Practice. The group’s total membership has now risen to 14.

C&C Group is returning as a member after previously leaving in 2014. Speaking about joining the Portman Group, David Forde, chief executive at C&C Group said: “Now more than ever, as we see the ramifications of Covid-19, the sector needs to come together to demonstrate that the UK alcohol industry takes its self-regulatory and social responsibility obligations very seriously.

“As a regulator, the Portman Group actively helps the industry to avoid breaches of the code through guidance and training, holds the industry to account when necessary and represents the positive work of the sector to government. By re-joining the Portman Group, we are increasing our existing strong commitment to socially responsible business practices and industry self-regulation.”

Forde has previously been a Portman Group Council member when he was the chief executive of Heineken UK and Ireland.

Mark Anthony Brands enhances the breadth of the Council membership, representing one of the foremost hard seltzer brands in the market, White Claw.

Commenting on their membership of the Portman Group, Davin Nugent, chief executive at Mark Anthony Brands International said: “Becoming a member of the Portman Group affirms our commitment to responsible self-regulation of the alcohol industry. Our support of the Portman Group means we are becoming a part of the gold-standard of responsibility and regulation.

“We have long been dedicated to promoting the responsible serving and consumption of our products in all settings and are pleased to have this formalised.”

Welcoming the new members, Portman Group chief executive Matt Lambert said: “It is a significant endorsement of our new strategy. We encourage producers and retailers, both large and small, to talk to us about how they too can play a full part in engaging with key policy challenges and actively supporting the self-regulatory model.”