With more than 40 years service in the freight forwarding sector, first with the Ferry Freighting group, Yusef has an extensive knowledge of the UK drinks industry and an understanding of the needs of vulnerable colleagues of the trade, based on his experiences. He has been a long-standing supporter of the Benevolent for years, both personally and through his company.

He follows Treasury Wine Estates’ Dan Townsend's two year tenure. Yusef’s (pictured left with the Benevolent’s David Cox, Townsend and Vintners' master, Robert Rolls) two year appointment as chairman was announced at The Vintners’ Company annual wine trade lunch which was attended by more than 155 senior members of the drinks trade at Vintners’ Hall on last Friday January13.

At the end of the lunch a cheque for £12,500 was passed to the Benevolent from the Vintners’ Company, which will help colleagues from the UK drinks industry facing a variety of difficult circumstances, including serious illness, financial hardship or personal crises.

Yusef said: “I am honoured, privileged and delighted to be appointed chairman of The Benevolent, our own trade charity. I am looking forward to working with a professional and committed team lead by a very dedicated chief executive David Cox. I shall of course do my utmost in the interest of those whose benefit we strive to serve.”

Cox said: “I am thrilled that this popular New Year lunch was another sold-out event. The charity is indebted to the Vintners’ who donate the entire revenue from the lunch, which helps enormously with our fundraising. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Dan Townsend for his terrific leadership and support and I look forward to working with Tom who I know will be an exemplary chairman.”