Beyond Chocolate

Scion of the great Quaker chocolate dynasty, Adrian Cadbury (1929-2015) was educated at Eton and Cambridge, yet never quite fitted into the mould of the British establishment.As one of the most influential business personalities of the later 20th-century, he was a committed capitalist, but championed workers’ rights and backed numerous social causes. By his death, he had given most of his fortune away. To most people, however, his private life remained a closed book, overshadowed by a string of family tragedies and the eventual hostile take-over of his world famous family-owned business.The Cadbury Report, his pioneering work on corporate governance remains his greatest legacy, but Adrian Cadbury’s career ranged far wider. With 2024 marking Cadbury’s 200th anniversary, this is his first biography, and one drawn from interviews with the family and those who knew him. He was a huge public figure of his era – but few at the time understood the tragedy in his life, or how hard-won were the successes he achieved.

“Important book chronicling the acceptable face of capitalism and the Cadbury chocolate empire. A delicious read.” - Lord Grade

“A skilfully-told and meticulously researched book detailing the life of a renaissance man.” - Ian King, Business Presenter, Sky News

“Compelling biography…the timing is impeccable as Cadbury celebrates its 200th anniversary.” - Lord Macpherson

“Excellent book. Adrian Cadbury was a huge figure in his day and a biography is well overdue.” - Paul Murphy, Executive Editor, the Financial Times

“I was thrilled to see Donovan’s book, which does a great job of charting the life and contribution of this towering pillar of British industry, and the trailblazing part that he played in business ethics and governance.” Eve Poole, Country Life

Patrick Donovan is a full-time writer after a career in national newspapers and financial public relations. He was one of the original team behind the launch of the Independent, and has held senior staff positions on the Evening Standard and the Guardian. This work follows Arnold Bennett: Lost Icon as his second biography.

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