Nelson Peltz, one of the food industry’s most influential players, has increased his stake in Cadbury Schweppes through his investment vehicle Trian Fund Management from 3.47 per cent to 4.5 per cent .

The news sent the shares of the Bournville-based confectioner up 6.5p to 639.5p.

The stake is reported backed by the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), a state-owned investment fund set up in 2005 to invest revenue generated from Qatar's rich gas reserves.

Neither Trian nor the QIA were available for comment.

In a statement today Cadbury confirmed Trian and "a certain affiliate" had increased their stake in the company to 4.5 per cent but would not comment on the development. The company is due to make a statement to the market on its sales and profit growth at 7am tomorrow.

Martin Deboo at Investec said: "I think the move by Nelson Peltz and QIA is about keeping up pressure on management to make strategic moves. I don't think it presages a take-over . I think Nelson Peltz is very happy with the evaluation of the company post separating the drinks arms and I think that's what today's news reflects.

"Cadbury is expected to make a strong statement. We could see more action on the share price," he said.

Mr Peltz made an initial purchase in March this year of 3 per cent of Cadbury shares, worth about $730 million.

The move sparked rumours that the corporate raider would attempt to convince Cadbury's board to split up the business. He is also believed to have kickstarted the company's decision two days later to sell off its Americas beverage operations.

Cadbury said in October that it would split off and list its Americas beverages division on the New York Stock Exchange after failing to find a buyer for the unit.

Mr Peltz has had dealings with Cadbury in the past, having sold his Snapple soft drinks business to the group in a $1.45bn deal in 2000. He had bought it three years earlier for just $300m.

In the past two years, Mr Peltz has used his hedge fund to amass shares in some of the industry’s biggest companies in order to push for changes. Trian holds 5.3 per cent of Wendy’s International and he submitted an offer to buy the fast food chain on November 12. The fund also owns 4.3 per cent of Heinz and about 3 per cent of Kraft Foods.

Last year the 65-year-old fought a bitter battle for representation on the board of Heinz, wehere he eventually won two of the five seats he wanted and then helped push through a round of cost-cuts and share buybacks at the ketchup to beans group.

Other targets have included Wendy's International, where he convinced management to sell off its doughnut business.

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