Mark Ebdon

Non-executive Director at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Factory General Manager at pladis UK&I

His job in less than a minute

Mark is the Factory General Manager at pladis Carlisle and it is a privilege to be the custodian of the oldest biscuit factory in the world overseeing 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, delivering happiness in every bite.

What is his connection to Cumbria?

Having lived and worked internationally and across the UK, Mark has found his home in Cumbria. The region offers a perfect blend of activities, from hiking the 214 Wainwrights to boating on picturesque lakes, making it an ideal place to live.

Why join the Chamber’s board of directors?

After two years in Cumbria, Mark wanted to contribute his extensive experience to support the county’s rich yet often overlooked history. With 40 years in the food and beverage industry, he sees great potential to enhance Cumbria’s strengths.

What is his stand out/best quality when working?

Mark excels at motivating and inspiring teams to achieve their best, effectively managing the day-to-day operations of the factory, which he likens to running a small village in Carlisle.

What is his biggest career highlight to date?

Mark’s career is marked by several achievements, including being the custodian of the world’s oldest biscuit factory, overseeing manufacturing at Western Europe’s largest soft drink factory, running factories in two different countries while implementing seven SAP modules, and living and working in Louisville, Kentucky with a factory with it’s own train set.

A fun fact

Mark enjoys playing the guitar, banjo, and mandolin, though he admits he could use more practice. 😊

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