Warburtons managing director Brett Warburton is to become executive director from April, with current finance director Robert Higginson taking over as MD.

Brett Warburton, who has been MD for six years, will now focus on quality and technical matters, and maintaining and developing the company’s culture. Chairman Jonathan Warburton said: “We strongly believe that, as the business grows, being able to maintain and develop our culture will be a crucial ingredient to the company’s ongoing success. Having a member of the Warburtons family involved will help strengthen what we already believe to be a competitive advantage.”

Mr Higginson will chair the operations board and join the main board of Warburtons.