Sir Hugh Bidwell was appointed Deputy Chairman in March 1998 following the company's flotation that year. He was previously Executive Chairman of ITE Group, having joined the board as a non-executive director in June 1996. Most of his career has been devoted to food manufacturing with Viota Foods Ltd and Pearce Duff Co Ltd., where he served as Chairman from 1970 - 1985 when the company was sold to Gill and Duffus Plc. He was Chief Executive at Allied Lyons Eastern Ltd from 1985 - 1991, a company set up to develop opportunities in the old Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and China. He is a non-executive director of Alpha Airports Group Plc. He is a former Lord Mayor of London, a past Chairman of British Invisibles and a past President of the British Food Export Council.