Jonathan Warburton

Jonathan Warburton has held the position of Chairman of the Warburtons family business for eleven years – overseeing the company’s transition into a national brand.

During his time as Chairman, the business has seen growth of over 60% to a turnover in excess of £500m, with the number of bakery and distribution sites growing by over 40%.

Beginning his career outside of Warburtons, Jonathan spent time gaining knowledge of the baking industry, as well as sales and marketing experience during his time with Unilever.

Joining Warburtons at the age of 23, he progressed from National Account Manager to Sales Director and then Marketing Director – overseeing the development of Warburtons iconic TV ad campaign featuring members of the Warburton family. As a fifth generation Warburton, Jonathan – along with cousins Brett and Ross – assumed control of the business in 1991, following the retirement of their fathers.

In the decade that followed, Jonathan held the role of joint Managing Director/Commercial Director, laying out the three cousins’ strategy to take the family business from a Northern brand to a truly national one and setting out their vision to become: Britain’s Favourite Baker.

Jonathan was elected Chairman in 2001 and is the seventh person in the history of Warburtons to hold the position.

He serves as Non-Executive Director at Samworth Brothers Limited. He served as an Independent Non Executive Director of AG Barr plc from March 2009 to August 20, 2012 and served as its Senior Independent Director until August 20, 2012. He received an Honorary Doctorate from Manchester University in 2003.

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