The trading association for the
professional baker’s community
We’re a growing member-based community, made up of artisan bakers, apprentice bakers, students, stand-alone bakeries, wholesalers, cafes with bakeries, chocolate emporiums, professional cupcake and biscuit retailers plus leading industry suppliers, experts and specialists to the industry.
The association’s key focus is to provide members with essential resources, expert guidance, advice and to ensure the future of the industry.
The organisation is member-owned, led by the CEO and board of directors, many of whom own or run their own bakery businesses.
Thomas Fletcher, National Association of Master Bakers, since 1887
Our Mission & Values
At the Craft Bakers Association, our mission is to support, represent, and inspire the baking community by promoting excellence, preserving traditional skills, and encouraging innovation across the industry.
Preserving Baking Traditions
We are committed to protecting and promoting the rich heritage of artisan and craft baking. By celebrating traditional techniques, quality ingredients, and skilled craftsmanship, we help ensure that baking traditions continue to thrive for future generations.
Supporting Baker Excellence
Our mission is to empower bakers with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed. Through education, training, and industry collaboration, we encourage continuous learning and the highest standards of professional excellence.
Building a Strong Baking Community
We believe that collaboration strengthens our industry. By bringing together bakers, suppliers, educators, and industry partners, we foster a supportive network that encourages innovation, knowledge sharing, and collective growth.
Promoting Quality and Innovation
We champion both exceptional quality and forward-thinking innovation. While respecting time-honored baking practices, we encourage creativity, sustainability, and the adoption of new ideas that help bakeries meet evolving customer needs and industry trends.
Our History
Established in 1887 (originally as the National Association of Master Bakers), the CBA has a rich history intertwined with Britain’s baking heritage. Over the decades, we have:
Evolved with the industry – from the era of coal-fired ovens to today’s modern artisan renaissance – while staying true to our core purpose of championing craft baking.
Provided vital support – through two World Wars, economic ups and downs, and most recently, global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic – always doing everything we can to be there when our members need us most and help bakeries across the UK adapt and survive.
Played a key role – in establishing baking qualifications and apprenticeships, ensuring the craft of baking is passed to new generations.
Today, we are proud to carry forward this tradition of service. Our members’ successes – from award-winning loaves to successful new shop openings – are the true measure of our work.
Board of Directors
Your Team at Ware
Craft Bakers Benevolent Fund
This charitable fund supports trainees and experienced bakers within the industry, as well as supporting baker members and their dependants that may need assistance.
Charity No: 206691
Become a Member
Join our community and unlock exclusive benefits, resources, and connections.
Choose the plan that fits your needs and start growing with us today.
What Our Members Say
“Our membership allows us to use the CBA’s E-learning training courses, this enables us to provide engaging and well-developed courses for our team which helps cement knowledge as they learn.”
“The CBA have been extraordinarily helpful over the past 12 months. In all situations, I have acted on the advice of the CBA whether it has been Health and Safety or Employment Law and achieved a great result. I would have no hesitation in recommending the CBA particularly as it comes from a one-off annual payment. No problem too thorny!”
“I have been a member of the Craft Bakers Association for decades but my reasons were always to keep up with current legislation, offers, networking etc. and for its knowledge of the industry, however, after being guided through a difficult employment issue, for me now, knowing you have the CBA’s support behind you in any area of your business is priceless. Thank you.”
“Referred by the Craft Bakers Association to their energy broker regarding a worrying situation with my electricity contract, the team were very helpful and attentive and the issue was successfully resolved. 5 Stars! Without my membership, the outcome may have been very different.”
