Two new directors have joined Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s board.
Mark Ebdon, factory general manager at pladis UK&I and Richard Rankin, chief executive of H&H Group Plc, have been appointed as non-executive directors.
In his role at pladis, Mark Ebdon oversees the production of some of the nation’s favourite sweet and savoury biscuits.
With a team of over 1,000 employees, he ensures the smooth operation of key brands like McVitie’s, Jacob’s, and Carr’s of Carlisle.
Having lived and worked internationally and across the UK, Mark has found his home in Cumbria.
Mark said: “After two years in Cumbria, I wanted to offer the skills and experience I’ve gained after 40 years in the food and beverage industry to enhance Cumbria’s vibrant business community.”
Richard joined what became Deloitte in 1994, qualified as a chartered accountant before moving into corporate finance getting involved in transactions from small management buyouts to multi-national corporate acquisitions.
After working across offices in Newcastle, London and Leeds at Deloitte’s, he left and moved to Cumbria and in 2002 was made corporate finance partner in 2006 running his own teams and offices; along the way advising a multitude of businesses – working with boards of directors and business owners to develop strategies through to making life changing decisions.
Richard began his CEO position at H&H in July 2018.
Richard said: “Advising businesses has been both my career and passion for over 30 years now and with most of that in Cumbria I can’t help but feel connected to it and its people. Helping the county be something more through this role would be an honour.”
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce managing director Suzanne Caldwell said: “We’re delighted to welcome Mark and Richard to our board of directors, which is made up of business leaders from around the region.
“Their experience – which spans a number of different sectors and disciplines – will be an asset to the chamber on our mission of empowering Cumbrian businesses to achieve their full potential.”
Chamber of Commerce board members
- Suzanne Caldwell (Cumbria Chamber of Commerce), managing director
- Allan Wilson (Pirelli Tyres), president
- Anand Puthran (McMenon Engineering Services), vice president
- Alan Wilson (L&W Wilson), non-executive director
- Edward O’Keeffe (Furness Internet), non-executive director
- Tom Waterhouse (Stagecoach), non-executive director
- Barry Leahey (Playdale Playgrounds), non-executive director
- Cheryl Corson (Scott Duff & Co Solicitors), non-executive director
- Melanie Thomson (David Allen), non-executive director
- Mark Ebdon (pladis UK&I), non-executive director
- Richard Rankin (H&H Group plc), non-executive director
