Frazer Thompson

Doer
DISC Type : ds

Retired Founder / CEO at Chapel Down Group plc

Fordwich, England, United Kingdom

Overview

Frazer Thompson is a highly respected figure in the UK beverage industry, best known for his 20-year tenure as CEO of Chapel Down, where he was pivotal in establishing English wine on the global stage. His early career included becoming a director at Whitbread plc at 29 and Global Brand Director for Heineken. People often describe him as a dynamic, inspiring, and committed leader.

Since retiring from Chapel Down in 2021, Frazer remains active as a Non-Executive Director for English winemaker Gusbourne and Westerham Brewery, continuing his passion for the industry. He and his wife also own Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse, a luxury bed and breakfast, and he enjoys spending time with his family, including a son in New Zealand.

Unique fact: Frazer led the marketing team that created the iconic "Cream of Manchester" advertising campaign for Boddingtons beer.

Personality Overview

Long-term Focused

Deliberate Doer

Fast-paced

They exhibit a rare combination of being result-oriented but patient at the same time.  They might take some time to make their mind up but once they do, they don't change it easily. They are very professional in their approach and can weigh multiple perspectives together.

Topics They Care About

English Wine's Future
After transforming Chapel Down over 20 years, he joined the board of rival Gusbourne, showing his deep commitment to the entire English wine sector's growth and success.
Craft Beverage Branding
His career spans building iconic beer brands (Boddingtons, Heineken), pioneering English wine, and now advising a craft brewery, highlighting a passion for creating strong beverage identities.
Supporting Entrepreneurs
His social media activity shows him actively promoting startups and crowdfunding campaigns like Impossibrew, indicating a desire to support the next generation of business leaders.

Media Appearances

Frazer has no verified media appearances

Work History

9-2021
Retired Founder / CEO at Chapel Down Group plc
11-2001 - 9-2021
CEO at English Wines Group (Chapel Down)
9-2009 - 9-2019
Proprietor at Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse
11-2006 - 12-2009
Chairman, Kent at Institute of Directors
Non exec director at Brand Finance

Education

1977 - 1981
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from University of Greenwich
1967 - 1977
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from RGS, Newcastle

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 22 Location : Fordwich, England, United Kingdom Job Level : Leadership Designation : Retired Founder / CEO at Chapel Down Group plc
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Insights For Selling To Frazer

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Ask them at the end if they see a strong value prop in your product; expect an honest answer
  • Come across as a trustworthy professional and be respectful, they usually know their game
  • Let them know of potential risks but suggest mitigation methods alongside

DONT's

  • Don't get into pricing discussions early on, steer conversation towards proven results
  • Don't take their patience for granted, avoid long-winding sermons
  • Don't focus too much on mutual contacts or bother about other stakeholders, focus on them

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Frazer is

  • Strong proof of impact and their conviction will matter the most, but they wouldn't want to act unilaterally either
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Frazer

  • They will say no if they are not convinced but you will have to prompt them.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Frazer move?

  • They will want to understand things well but can move fast once they have a clear picture.
  • Can Frazer take some risk or not?

  • They have good risk tolerance but are likely to think it through once or twice.

You And Frazer

Personality Compatibility


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