Food Management Today is saddened to report the passing of Mark Norton, managing director and owner of the Prima Bakeries Group.
Mark passed away peacefully on 26th November at the age of 60 following a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease in September 2024.
Mark was best known as the managing director and owner of the Prima Bakeries Group, where his passion and dedication to excellence saw the Group, including Prima Bakeries and Cornish Premier Pasties, become the fourth-largest Cornish pasty manufacturer in the world and the largest locally owned in Cornwall.
Mark’s drive and innovative vision saw Prima Bakeries grow tenfold since he acquired the business, with turnover increasing from £370,000 to £3.7 million and staff numbers expanding from 19 to 90. In 2020, amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mark acquired Cornish Premier Pasties, a competitor 30% larger than Prima Bakeries.
Through his leadership, Mark not only steered the company through uncertain times but also grew its sales by 55%, repaying the acquisition loan years ahead of schedule. His achievements were celebrated when Cornish Premier Pasties earned Gold and Silver in the Traditional Cornish Pasty category at the World Pasty Championships in 2022.
His active involvement in the Cornish Pasty Association saw him serve as finance officer to advocate for the iconic product’s authenticity.He led Prima Bakeries and Cornish Premier Pasties to award-winning heights, including a clean sweep of Business Person of the Year, SME of the Year and Overall Business of the Year at the Western Morning News Business Awards in 2022.
In February 2024, Mark led the transition of the Prima Bakeries Group to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). To Mark, the move was seen as a dedication to his staff to ensure job security, guarantee that the business remained a Cornish company, and as a thank you to those who worked so hard alongside him to build the successful business it is today. In September of this year, Mark led the purchase of Cornish biscuit maker Furniss of Cornwall, bringing another iconic Cornish food brand under the wing of the Group, with all 30 staff joining Prima’s EOT.
Mark will be remembered not only for his business acumen but also for his generosity, integrity, and unwavering commitment to his team, community, friends and family. His journey was reported to have left a deep-rooted impression on the Cornish business community and the lives of those who knew him.
His death leaves behind his wife Lynne, children Emma and Sam, and many friends, colleagues, and extended family members. It is hoped that his legacy will live on through his family, his businesses, and the countless people whose lives he clearly touched.
