Burbidge's previous roles have included former chairman of the Coventry City of Culture Trust between 2015 and 2022, having successfully secured victory for Coventry in the
UK City of Culture title; non-executive chairman of Burbidge Capital Limited in
Nairobi,
Kenya between 2010 and 2016, He was also a chairman of the
RSC Pension Fund Trustees, plus a member of the RSC Audit and Investment Committees. and a member of the development board of
Garsington Opera for the move to
Wormsley Estate,
Stokenchurch from 2010 to 2012. He was the Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers from 2004 to 2005 He was instrumental in the acquisition and establishment of Furniture Makers Hall, where the Court Room is named after him. He was also chairman of the
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 2001 to 2008, where he led a £14m campaign to build a new auditorium B2, new foyer and reception areas. His roles have also included being founding chairman of the
Coventry Cathedral Development Trust, responsible for raising more than £5 million in funds for the Cathedral ministry and for endowment 1992 to 2005. He became
High Sheriff of the
West Midlands County, in 1990/1991. Under Burbidge's leadership in 1995/6, Burbidge & Son pioneered the introduction of Japanese World Class Manufacturing techniques into the furniture manufacturing sector. His company became an exemplar hosting visits for the West Midlands Manufacturing Challenge and nationally for UK First. He was a keynote speaker at conferences around the UK. He was also a guest lecturer for MSc courses in Manufacturing Strategy at the
University of Warwick. ==Honours==