Dunn’s Bakery owner Christopher Freeman has handed over the day-to-day running of his business to his son Lewis.

“It’s time to step aside. I think it’s important not to hang around beyond your sell-by date,” Freeman told British Baker.

Freeman, who is a fifth-generation baker and has been at Dunn’s for over four decades, has been a key figure in the baking industry, organising the first National Doughnut Week in 1991 and being elected as president of the Craft Bakers Association in 2012.

He was given a lifetime achievement award in the 2011 British Baker Baking Industry Awards.

“My highlights have included keeping this company in business, which has to be a success when you have seen what has happened over the past 50 years in terms of how the high streets have changed,” he said.

Freeman’s successor will be running the business on a day-to-day basis after working for the company for four years since graduating from Reading University.

“I have every confidence Lewis will take the business from strength to strength,” Freeman added. “You can’t expect the next generation to show commitment if you don’t give them the opportunity.”

Freeman insisted he will not be retiring fully and will remain as chairman of Dunn’s Bakery.

He will also continue his commitments with the Craft Bakers Association, National Doughnut Week, the Worshipful Company of Bakers and the Alliance for Bakery Students & Trainees.