“It is testament to the brands and the management that have turned the business around.

“JLR is the big example of a company, particularly Jaguar, which had appeared to have lost its way. There were problems with reliability and some German brands became dominant.

“By reinvigorating its range and high quality marketing of its products it has effectively become one of the great success stories of recent times. It is a huge achievement.”

While commending the Government for its “pro-business” stance Sir Roger said he also felt it could be doing more to accelerate the pace of its policy direction.

“The Government’s job is to set the climate in which growth can flourish – that is through taxation and regulation. It is business’s job to deliver the goods.

“But has not necessarily been implemented with the vigour that is necessary. That is why we have to encourage them to do it with much more enthusiasm and commitment than they have done in recent times.”

Reflecting on his role as Cadbury chairman at the time of the Kraft takeover Sir Roger said he had no regrets about the path the company had taken.

“I fought very hard until the price that was offered was greater than the value that could be achieved by independence,” he said. “At that stage you have the fiduciary duty to see the shareholders are rewarded – which I did. I did something as a duty rather than a personal preference.

“I think Kraft did not endear themselves to the community either politically or industrially when they first took control but I think in the two years which have now elapsed they have continued to invest in the business and the feedback from those that remain has become more positive about their future in what will ironically become a focussed confectionary business .

“Kraft changed strategy, they have demerged it from the wider business they own which will strengthen the prospects of Cadbury within the confectionary business. Hopefully shareholders will have had what they wanted – a handsome return – and people who work there will continue to have a secure future.

“My recommendation from a distance is when they have demerged to use the name Cadbury and harvest the goodwill that name has got all over the world.

“Cadbury will continue to be successful, it’s a great brand and some excellent people work in the business.”