A process for the preparation of a titania catalyst or a titania catalyst carrier is described. It comprises the steps of: obtaining a wet filtercake of titania, the titania having been made by hydrolysis of a suitable titanium compound, optionally admixing the wet filtercake with one or more catalyst materials, extruding said filtercake or said admixture, and drying and/or calcining the so-formed extrudate. The wet filtercake of titania can be provided from any known route or source or reaction. These include the the wet chloride or sulphate processes. The present invention removes the need for current separate drying and calcination of the titania sulphate product prior to its admixture with a catalyst material. It provides a catalyst with increased strength, which catalyst has also been found to provide greater catalytic activity, especially in C5+ selectivity.