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Family-owned bakery hires new breadwinner

By Tess De La Mare

UK-based family bakery business Frank Roberts and Sons has appointed Robert Higginson as chairman of the board, marking the continuation of the businessman’s career at the helm of a baked goods family business.

Higginson was managing director at Warburtons, a fifth-generation firm controlled by the eponymous founding family, for 11 years between 2001 and 2012.

Prior to Warburtons, Higginson was a member of senior management at the UK division of international oil and gas business Shell.

Higginson said in a statement: "I am delighted to have joined a family business with a great heritage and look forward to working with the board in realising the ambitions for future growth."

He told CampdenFB: "The unique family business culture has a strong appeal for me. This is down to its focus on people and the ability to take a longer term perspective."

Mike Roberts, fourth-generation deputy chairman of the £70 million-a-year company, said: "The whole family are delighted to welcome Robert to our business who brings with him both family business and bakery sector experience."

Frank Roberts and Sons, based in the small market town of Northwich, was founded in 1877 with just one shop. Today the bakery serves a mix of branded retail bread, own label and foodservice customers, and has the capacity to produce 13,000 loaves of bread an hour.

Higginson is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and is also equipped with an MBA. 

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