Henry Ashworth was appointed Chief Executive of the Portman Group in October 2011, and as co-chair of the government’s Responsibility Deal Alcohol Network in January 2012.

The Portman Group is the UK alcohol industry’s Social Responsiblility Organisation.  Its two main functions are self-regulating alcohol marketing and leading industry partnership action in tackling harms caused by alcohol mis-use.

Before joining the alcohol social responsibility body, he was a member of the Behavioural Insights Team in the Cabinet Office where he led the team’s work applying behavioural science to public health policy (alcohol, obesity, diet, smoking, organ donation).

Henry joined the UK Civil Service in 2008, spending two years in the Better Regulation Executive challenging Government thinking on state-imposed regulation, with focus on considering mutually beneficial alternatives.

Prior to joining Government, Henry enjoyed success as a social entrepreneur. He led a revolution in sports and beach tourism, introducing the sport of kite surfing to the UK and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant to Cornwall.