 Bidwell began working in the food industry with the breakfast cereal maker Viota, and the became a director of Viota in 1962.Bidwell was subsequently chairman of the food company Pearce Duff, headed the food arm of Gill & Duffus, and joined Allied Lyons in 1985.Bidwell was married twice, first to Jenifer Webb in 1962, with whom he had two sons, and a daughter.