With over 25 years in the global drinks industry, we are thrilled that Andrew will be joining Chapel Down Group plc as Chief Executive Officer. With extensive experience across wine, beer and spirits, Andrew has held senior leadership roles at some of the some of the world’s best known drinks companies, including Bacardi, Treasury Wine Estates and Bulmers across multiple international markets. He has worked on the international development of premium drinks brands, such as Penfolds, Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire, Martini, Grey Goose, Strongbow & San Miguel. Most recently Andrew was Managing Director of Chase Distillery Limited for four years and led the transformational growth of this field-to-bottle vodka & gin business across 30 markets worldwide, culminating in the sale of the business to Diageo in February 2021.
Married with three grown-up children, Andrew is passionate about wine and sports, with a particular interest in horse racing and cricket. Andrew replaces Frazer Thompson as CEO for England’s leading wine producer, Chapel Down, who is retiring after 20 years at the company.
Andrew, we are delighted to be welcoming you to Chapel Down as CEO. We’re certain our loyal customers and shareholders would like to get to know you and so have a series of questions to help in doing so!
What excites you most about joining Chapel Down?
The company is a “British celebration” – the brand, the people, the wines. What an opportunity to be Britain’s leading sparkling winemaker and to lead the development of the growth of the English wine market.
What have been your career highlights to date?
I have been lucky to work in some amazing businesses and with brands such as Bacardi, Bombay Sapphire, Penfolds, San Miguel, but ultimately leading the development of the Chase business to a position where Diageo, the biggest global spirits player, acquired us was pretty special.
What do you feel has been key to your success?
I have always focused on developing brands and products that will excite and delight consumers, as well as building strong customer relationships and creating a high performance culture across my teams. Ultimately, it’s all about the people, the brand and our exceptional wines.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Authentic, passionate and results-driven.
It is particularly exciting time to be joining the English wine industry, but what do you see as the most important factors for the industry in the next five years?
The development of wine by my predecessors over the last 20 years has been truly exciting. As a result English wine is on the cusp of becoming a truly established wine region of the world, our job in the next decade is to ensure we have the supply capacity, the people and the commercial plans to continue to produce world class wines and meet the growing demand for English wines profitably.
What’s something that recently made you smile?
Emma Raducanu; the beauty of youth with no inhibitions and beating the world. At the other end of the spectrum, ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ television series is very amusing!
What do you like to do to unwind?
Spending time with my family and enjoying great food and wine. I also really enjoy cricket and horse racing in my spare time.
