A process for the preparation of a catalyst composition for catalysing hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis reactions wherein, (a) a carbon support is contacted with a catalyst precursor solution comprising at least one element from groups 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of 5 the periodic table to form a metal impregnated carbon; (b) the metal impregnated carbon is dried at a temperature of no greater than 400° C. and placed in a reactor vessel; (c) the reactor vessel is sealed; and (d) the metal impregnated carbon is treated in the reactor 10 vessel in an atmosphere comprising hydrogen at a temperature of from 25° C. to 350 ° C.