He was the sixth chancellor of University of Birmingham, stepping down in 2014.

After graduating from Trinity College, Cambridge, he completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Stanford University.

He was appointed to the board in 1975, serving as group chief executive from 1983 to 1993, then as chairman until his planned retirement on his 60th birthday on 12 May 2000.

He is also a member of the Council of Management of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

Cadbury was appointed chancellor of the University of Birmingham on 2 May 2002 upon the retirement of Sir Alex Jarratt.