John Apthorp

John Dorrington Apthorp (25 April 1935 – 9 July 2024) was a British businessman specialising in frozen food and alcoholic beverages, as well as a philanthropist.

Life and career
Apthorp 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 Wizard Wines (now Majestic Wines), a chain of off-licences.

It was reported in both 2002 and 2003 (and again in 2009) that the wealth of Apthorp and his family was over £100 million. In 2015 the specialist magazine SelectUS Wines reported that his wealth has been maintained despite an overall decline in company revenues. In 2021 it was reported the net worth had continue to grow.

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

Apthorp was a councillor for Edgware from 1968 to 1974, and was given "Freedom of the Borough of Barnet" in 2008.

Apthorp was previously a trustee of the Milly Apthorp Charitable trust, which is now closed. He set up the John Apthorp Charity, which funds projects in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Greater Manchester.

Apthorp died after a short illness on 9 July 2024, at the age of 89.