John Apthorp

Who is John Apthorp?

John Dorrington Apthorp CBE, OBE is a British businessman specializing in frozen food and alcoholic beverages, and also a philanthropist.

He first enjoyed success as a founding member and managing director of the family business of frozen food stores Bejam, which became a market leader in the United Kingdom, trading from hundreds of stores across the country. In 1989, Apthorp sold the company which was still doing very well, to its rival Iceland. He also co-founded Wizzard Wines a chain of off-licences.

It was reported in both 2002 and 2003 that the wealth of Apthorp and his family was over £100 million.

Already an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Apthorp was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2014 New Year Honours for charitable services, particularly in Hertfordshire.

He had been a councillor for Edgware from 1968-1974., and has been granted 'Freedom of the Borough of Barnet'.