A carrier, which comprises non-platelet alumina and/or a bond material, has a surface area of at least 1.3 m2/g, a total pore volume and a pore size distribution such that at least 80% of the total pore volume is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 μm, and at least 80% of the pore volume contained in the pores with diameters in the range of from 0.1 to 10 μm is contained in pores with diameters in the range of from 0.3 to 10 μm, and a process for the preparation of a carrier which comprises forming a mixture comprising: a) from 50 to 95 weight percent of a first particulate α-alumina having a median particle size (d50) of from 5 to 100 μm; b) from 5 to 50 weight percent of a second particulate α-alumina having a d50 which is less than the d50 of the first particulate α-alumina and which is in the range of from 1 to 10 μm; and c) an alkaline earth metal silicate bond material; weight percent being based on the total weight of α-alumina in the mixture; and firing the mixture to form the carrier.