Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> January 19, 2004
Nigel Freer - began career in 1973 with Mars Confectionery. In 1981 he had his first hands-on brand building experience with Ginsters Foods. As Sales & Marketing Director on the main board in 1981, he played a key role in creating what is now the most respected and profitable brand on the market. 1990 saw his first General Management role with the Bulmers Cider group as Managing Director of their newly acquired subsidiary, Symonds Cider. During his four years at Bulmers, he not only turned around this loss-making company, but also made the little known Scrumpy Jack into the UKs leading premium cider brand. In 1995, he became Group board director of the premium quality food company, Samworth Brothers which was followed by a three-year period running his own multi-faceted business consultancy. In 1998, Nigel was tempted back into industry to become CEO of Merrydown PLC. He immediately set about implementing a new rescue strategy for this well known but perpetually ailing company. Merrydown is now back into profit, cash rich, has zero gearing and just paid its shareholders a fifth dividend. The companys soft drink brand Shloer is now brand leader in its sector having doubled in size (volume & turnover) in just two years. Nigels Non-Executive Directorships include; DDD Pharmaceuticals Ltd & Council Member of St John Ambulance. 51-year old Nigel lives in Hampshire and has been married to Linda for 33 years. He has four daughters and three granddaughters. He sails a boat, has a fly fishing rod (which sees very few Trout), a set of golf clubs and a guitar capable of blues licks in the right hands. In 2002, he was voted one of the UKs top 12 CEOs by Investor Chronicle magazine. 2003 saw him voted one of the UKs top 5 directors by Decision Magazine & Deloitte & Touch Profile
Mr. Freer: The Company actually started in about 1946. Two
