The invention is directed to a catalyst suitable for the hydrogenation of hydrocarbon resins, comprising a supported nickel on silica and alumina catalyst, said catalyst having a nickel content of 45 to 85 wt. %, a silicon content, calculated as SiO.sub.2, of 14 to 45 wt. %, an aluminium content, calculated as Al.sub.2O.sub.3, of 1 to 15 wt. % an iron content, calculated as Fe, 0.25 to 4 wt. %, all percentages having been calculated on the basis of the reduced catalyst, and which catalyst has a volume of pores between 2 and 60 nm, as defined herein, of at least 0.35 ml/g of catalyst.