Jonathan Warburton has held the position of Chairman of the family business for eight years – overseeing the company’s transition into a national brand. 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 and 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.
Outside of the business, Jonathan is a keen sportsman, skiing enthusiastically and playing golf erratically! However, his main enjoyment is standing on the touchline cheering for his children. Married to Kim, Jonathan is the very proud father of the next generation of Warburtons – Charlotte, Angus and twins Harry and Jack.
After attending The University of Kent at Canterbury, graduating with a degree in Economic & Social History in 1977, Brett began his working life in London at RHM Foods where he stayed for two and a half years.
On leaving RHM Foods he joined the family firm of Warburtons Limited, initially working as the Marketing Manager at Warburtons Soreen, based in Trafford Park, Manchester.
Following 18 successful months at Soreen he moved over to Imperial Bakeries Limited (Bakewell Bakery) where he worked for almost two years as Production and then Factory Manager.
From 1983 Brett attended the Harvard Business School in Boston, U.S.A., and graduated with an MBA in 1985.
On returning to England he returned to Imperial Bakeries as Managing Director, where he stayed for several years before transferring to the Warburtons Bread Division as General Manager at their Pennine Bakery.
During 1991 Brett joined Centre Office and was appointed Joint Managing Director, Operations, becoming sole Managing Director from 2001 until May 2006, when he took up his current role of Executive Director.
Brett has a busy life outside Warburtons, and is an avid football fan having always supported Bolton Wanderers Football Club where he is now the Vice Chairman.
He is also Chairman of the Lancashire Football Association and is their representative on the FA Council in London.
Brett received an honorary doctorate from the University of Kent in July 2009.
In 1980, Ross graduated from Oriel College, University of Oxford, after reading Politics, Philosophy and Economics, (PPE). He then went on to work in the City for five years as an Investment Manager for Invesco before joining the family business in 1985.
In 1991, he was elected Executive Chairman, where he oversaw the rapid expansion of the Company. He stepped down from this position in 2001 and continues to play an active role in the family business.
Ross also pursues other business interests. He is Non Executive Chairman of Jordans Ryvita.
Ross is currently President of the Food and Drink Federation, where he works to promote the interests of the UK food manufacturing industry in conjunction with government and other agencies. He was awarded the MBE in 2004 for services to the food industry.
Ross’s interests are firmly entrenched in the local community. As President of the Bolton Lads and Girls Club since 1999, he has encouraged the growth of the group into the largest youth club outside London. He is also a Director of OnSide a charity formed to develop a network of similar youth clubs around the North West of England. Ross and his wife Emma have two children: Jimmy and Ellen.
Jill Kippax, daughter of Derrick Warburton and sister of Jonathan Warburton, has worked in the family business for over 25 years. Jill joined Warburtons at 23 years old, starting as assistant to the Group Hygiene Officer, where she was mostly involved in the Retail Division.
Before joining the family business, she attended Bolton School and then went on to study for an HND in Institutional Management at a college in Manchester. After completing her education, Jill worked in the Health Service for two years.
In 1989 Jill joined the PR Department, based at Centre Office in Bolton, Lancashire, working part time. Since 1991 Jill has worked as the company’s Corporate Affairs Manager, handling the company’s Community Giving programme. She also spent ten years managing the customer care department.
Throughout the past eighteen years, with the encouragement of Jill, Warburtons has developed a commitment to helping the communities it serves. The Community Giving Programme focuses on charities, organisations and initiatives that improve the quality of family life. Therefore, the programme supports projects that have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the whole family, especially in the areas of diet, fitness, safety and education, as well as caring initiatives that improve the quality of life for the sick, elderly or disabled.
In her spare time she is mostly occupied with her family and also spends her leisure time gardening. Jill has an interest in sports and enjoys playing golf recreationally.
Robert has held the position of Managing Director with Warburtons since 2006, following five years as Finance Director with the family bakers. He is a member of the Main Board and chairs the Operations Board.
Previously, Robert spent 15 years with Shell holding various positions, latterly as Managing Director of Shell Direct. His time with the company involved three years of living and working in France.
He is a Chartered Accountant and holds an MBA. Married to Heather, Robert has three children, including twin boys. He enjoys watching and participating in most sports and spending time with his family.