Jude Allan is Interim Managing Director of OPRL, On Pack Recycling Label. She states that she is materials agnostic but passionate about clear, communication with the consumer that allows them to confidentially do the right thing when it comes to recycling their packaging. Jude is also Chair of the IOM3 Packaging Group. IOM3 is a leading science and engineering professional body that promotes and develops all aspects of the materials cycle and is home to the Packaging Group.

Paldeep Bhatti is Head of Research & Policy for the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN). Paldeep joined INCPEN in May 2021, having over a decade of experience in local government, specifically within resource and waste management.

A current focus for INCPEN is working with all four UK governments to design and implement a set of packaging reforms that are cost-efficient and delivery environmental benefits. This includes Extended Producer Responsibility, Deposit Return Systems and ‘consistency’ of the range of packaging materials collected from all 27 million UK households.

Stefan is a senior creative leader with over 20 years of global experience in branding, design, packaging, innovation, and sustainability, Stefan is currently the Front-End Innovation Packaging and Digital Transformation Senior Specialist at Nestlé, the world's largest food and beverage company.

He is globally responsible for the packaging and digital transformation of the Confectionery Business for Nestlé. Bringing to life digital tools for development to launch in FMCG within creative design and packaging. A digital evangelist, who inspires teams to bring together design, marketing, and insights through the eyes of the consumer.

Stefan is a visionary, passionate speaker, who contributes to many leading industry events and initiatives with an in-depth insight of the retail and FMCG industry.

Philip Chadwick is a writer and editor specialising in packaging. He was previously editor at Packaging News and was chair of judges for the UK Packaging Awards for eight years. Prior to Packaging News, he worked on the news and features desks at Print Week.

Following 20 years in industry, primarily in packaging-related roles at Proctor & Gamble, M&S, Sainsbury’s and Pret, Paula joined WWF in 2019 to work on the packaging element of the Tesco partnership.

Additionally, she provides internal and external technical expertise on materials-related issues including plastics, with her policy and advocacy work focusing more broadly on resources, waste and circular economy thinking. Most recently, she played a leading role in influencing Government to adopt Greener UK’s priority amendment for the Resource and Waste chapter of the Environment Act and co-authored a chapter on Waste Prevention and Waste Management for a UNEP Finance Initiative Sustainable Blue Economy guide.

Debbie has worked in the metal packaging industry for nearly 40 years and manages administration, accounts, enquiries and communications for the MPMA (Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association). She has been a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Tinplate Workers alias Wire Workers since March 2002.

Laura fell into packaging by default 10 years ago but soon became her passion and completed a MSc in Packaging Technology and Management. Laura recently joined Ocado Retail as Packaging and Sustainability Manager having worked at M&S previously for a number of years. She is a Board Member of INCPEN, RECOUP and EcoPack at Packaging Innovations and has been a judge for UK Packaging Awards since 2016. An avid promoter of circular economy, Laura is driven to ensure we leave the planet better than we found it.

With over 37 years international experience in the industry, Bruce’s expertise spans the breadth of the Packaging field from end-of-line equipment, materials manufacturing and for the past 22 years, brand owners.

Based at Nestlé’s Product Technology Centre for Confectionery in York, Bruce is a member of the Senior Leadership team. He is responsible for developing and driving Nestlé’s packaging technology research and development strategy for their global Confectionery business. Brands include KitKat, Smarties, Aero, Milky Bar, Rowntree, and many more.

Bruce is a Fellow of Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining – Packaging Society (FIMM), and is currently Chair of an Industry Skills Partnership for Packaging. Supported by UK National Skills Academy, he successfully launched a new Packaging Professional BSC Degree Apprenticeship to enable the development of the next generation of Packaging Professionals.

Bruce strives to contribute towards a better future for all and is inspired by excellence in sustainable and functional packaging design that delivers true value.

Working together with academia, innovation partners and an international team, his focus is on developing the science and technology that delivers breakthrough, sustainable, and consumer centric innovation, from idea through to pilot and first launch.

Jason joined MPMA in 2023, beginning his career as a metallurgist at Carnaud Metal Box (now Crown Holdings Inc) and holding subsequent senior positions at companies including American National Can, Alcan Packaging, and Aerocan, as well as 12 years at Ball Corporation, Jason brings 33 years’ industry experience in the metal packaging industry. He has worked across many steel and aluminium packaging sectors, including beverage, food, pharmaceutical, household, and personal care. He has a wealth of experience in operations and sustainability.

Gill leads our consulting offer, with over 25 years’ experience in the packaging industry, strategically developing packaging strategies, roadmaps, and packaging solutions to meet the needs of clients, consumers, and the planet. She has worked with many global retailers and household brands on projects spanning sustainability and innovation to supply chain optimization. With a real passion for sustainability, her quest is to educate, influence, and drive a circular economy wherever possible while complementing creativity, technical functionality, and commercial realities.

Emma is an independent print and packaging consultant with over 15 years’ experience stretching across the entire global value chain, with a demonstrated history of working within the retail industry. She has engineered improvements in ways of working, quality management, reducing waste and sustainability initiatives. Delivered training and presentations to suppliers, colleagues and the wider industry across the world. Emma is passionate about sustainability, enabling and supporting progress towards a circular economy, and has a BSC(Hons) in Print and Packaging Technology from University of Hertfordshire.

 As someone who loves her job, I have the absolute pleasure overseeing the packaging strategy, innovation and delivery for the Waitrose own brand portfolio through my fantastic team of managers and in collaboation with our amazing suppliers.

To name drop just a few of our well known brands: Essential Waitrose, Duchy, No1 and many more sub brands that keep the team and I focused on delivering our targets and strategy. With far more years than I would like to admit, I remain passionate about all aspects of packaging including high quality print, structure, materiality and of course recyclability.

I am privileged and enjoy representing Waitrose & Partners.

Nicola Jones is the Steel Packaging Recycling Manager for Tata Steel. She has worked within the steel industry for most of her career focusing on the recyclability of tinplate for its many applications within packaging.

Nicola is keen to see the value chain working together to ensure packaging is truly circular and sustainable. Nicola has championed workstreams with consumers to ensure their engagement with household recycling schemes with an aim to increase participation, in turn increasing recycling rates.

Martin Kersh is executive director of the Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA). He is a member of Defra and HMRC stakeholder advisory groups. He was a member of the government’s Litter Strategy Advisory Group and the Steering Group for Hospitality & Food Service Agreement seeking to reduce food waste. He attends the All Party Parliamentary Group for Packaging, is chair of Packaging Innovations Big Carbon debate and has addressed many hospitality and packaging industry events.

Nick is a 45-year veteran of the corrugated packaging and point-of-sale sectors, having progressed his career across manufacturing, sales, and senior management levels. After selling the family business in 1998 to Rexam PLC, he latterly became MD of SCA Packaging Specialty Products in the Midlands.

Establishing specialist trade supplier Swanline Group in 2001, the company was highly invested with state-of-the-art equipment to service converters who did not posses the ability to manufacture such innovative, complex products. Swanline were the world’s first adopter of digital print technology for corrugated packaging. Swanline Group and its sister company, BoxMart were sold to Zeus Packaging Group in 2022, and Nick retains a non-executive role on the board.

Nick has travelled widely and experienced glass production and glass recycling in many countries around the world. He represents the interest of the glass sector nationally and internationally as well as fostering the innovation and collaboration to secure a sustainable future for glass.

He leads the British Glass team on circular economy including glass recycling, decarbonisation, energy efficiency and product design, with an in-depth understanding of current and pending policies and legislation and the potential impact on glass products and manufacturing. He regularly advises government and policy makers on aspects of glass production and circular economy.

Denise has spent over 35 years within the packaging industry, joining Waitrose & Partners to lead the packaging and delivery teams in January 2024.Prior to this, spent 13 months at Faerch as Senior Manager Sustainability where she was instrumental in delivering 'Tray to Tray' from UK waste. Was 8 years in role at Tesco, where she was responsible for all the fresh food categories, and was instrumental in launching circular packaging initiatives collaboratively across the value chain.

Bob has been in the Paper and Packaging and Print sectors for over 25 years prior to which he worked in the plastics, engineering and glass sectors. He is currently the Senior Independent Director for Macfarlane Group and Non Executive Director chair of Logson Group. He was Chief Executive of DS Smith in the UK until 2011; latterly as Deputy CEO Packaging (UK and Continental Europe). He has held leading roles in both the UK and Continental Europe for industry employer associations. He is a previous Packaging awards winner of the CEO of the year and Outstanding Contribution to the industry.

Lisa Meade is Head of Structural Packaging at international DIY company Kingfisher under retail banners that include B&Q, Screwfix. With a strong bias towards integrating technical knowledge with consumer Insights, manufacturing constraints and customer requirements, Lisa has developed numerous global solutions for many of Britain's brands across companies including P&G, Britvic and Waitrose.

Nick joined Metal Box as a management trainee and worked in several of the company’s functions and operations, developing wider roles and responsibilities following the merger with Carnaud in the late eighties and subsequent takeover by Crown in the mid-nineties.

Early career included, marketing, business development, logistics and operational roles; following General Management responsibilities, he was appointed Managing Director of the company’s Speciality Packaging UK operations.

Following the Crown acquisition, he became Vice President of the company’s restructured Aerosol sector, encompassing a number of businesses across Europe including crowns. Having taken responsibility for several years for the company’s Speciality Packaging business, with operations across Europe and the USA, he took early retirement in 2007 and accepted the role of Chief Executive of the Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association. He continued in the role until early 2016 and is now a non-exec Director the MPMA.

A Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute Nick is also member of the board of the Packaging Federation.

Starting as a Packaging Technologist/Engineer in the retailer Co-operative Wholesale Society (CO-OP) in Manchester working in 100 manufacturing facilities on cans, glass, plastics, paper and board, before moving into buying and marketing. Went to Head up Packaging and Technical in the retailer Iceland in 1984 and started the Iceland brand. Moved to the other side selling packaging and putting in product launch systems into major brands and retailers selling services into Danone, Estee Lauder, Kraft, Safeway, Wal Mart, Heinz to name a few. This included running design, artwork and pre-press companies. He was a Director for Storm Brands and Sun Branding Solutions which included Parker Williams. Moved back to the retailer Iceland (1000 stores and sell in 42 countries) in 2013 to head packaging and process as the Own Label Manager reporting into the Managing Director. In Jan 2018 launched on TV the first retailer to go plastic free by 2023. Ian has used Digital Printing extensively and is known for his massive love for Packaging and Printing. After 6 epic years at Iceland now semi -retired (trying to improve his golf handicap) and running a consultancy and enjoying non exec board roles providing various services from digital print , packaging development and leads on sustainability. Ian is a Fellow of the Packaging Society as part of the institute of Mining, Minerals and Materials and now lectures to two Universities to pass on his knowledge. Judging for Packaging News for 7 years.

Dick Searle has spent the 55 years of his working life in the Packaging Industry. For over 30 years, before running The Packaging Federation, he had been CEO of a number of packaging groups including two quoted companies. His career has covered most of the material sectors of the industry and he has experience of both large and small companies. The Packaging Federation is the over-arching Federation for the UK Packaging Manufacturing Industry and its membership includes many packaging companies and all the industry’s material sector trade associations. Dick is a passionate believer in the Packaging Industry and the very positive contribution that it has made to society at large – both in terms of its products and its substantial contribution, as a major manufacturing industry, to the UK economy. He has been Chief Executive of The Packaging Federation since 2006.

Energetic and dedicated packaging leader, fanatical about scouting, then enabling technology and capability to inspire positive-change, showcasing the value of packaging.

A skilled business strategist, with strong attention to detail. Has extensive experience in supply chain, continuous improvement, change management and operations. Theodoros is an expert in identifying and defining the packaging activity's impact on the business value chain, profitability and efficiency.

David has been in the packaging industry for 27 years gaining packaging experience across Frozen, Chilled and Ambient products across a multitude of categories and roles at Iceland Foods, Dairy Crest, 2 Sisters Food Group and Müller. Qualifications include an MSc in Packaging Technology (2009), PRINCE2 practitioner (2012), and an MBA with distinction from the University of Manchester (2022).

At Müller David leads the Group Packaging Innovation Team as well as having responsibility for the Group Packaging Sustainability Strategy.

Paul Vanston is Chief Executive of the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN). A particular current focus for INCPEN is working with all four UK governments to design and implement a set of packaging reforms that are cost-efficient and deliver environmental benefits. This includes Extended Producer Responsibility, Deposit Return Systems and ‘consistency’ of the range of packaging materials collected from all 27million UK households. Paul is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. Member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. Member of the Green Alliance. Founder supporter of the UK Plastics Pact. Member of the UK Government’s Resources & Waste Advisory Group.

Emma came from a background working with blue-chip companies in the advertising world, to running a large company in the contract manufacturing and packing industry. With her extensive experience in the process of 3rd party outsourcing, Emma has been focused on the BCMPA’s membership development and marketing before her recent appointment to CEO of the BCMPA.

Kevin Vyse has been working in the packaging industry for over 40 years, working with manufacturers, brands, and retailers. Over the last 10 years, he has been deeply involved in the shaping of the new plastics economy and UK packaging strategy. While working at Marks and Spencer, he was a member of the Plan A team, and from there, he continues to work closely with OPRL and INCPEN on EPR and Packaging Waste strategies. Having left M&S 4 years ago, he joined Rapid Action Packaging as Head of Technical and continues in that role following the acquisition by ProAmpac in 2021. He leads on the technical development of new materials and material solutions as well as being a member of the ProAmpac Sustainability Council. He is a Fellow of IMMM and a Member of the International Society 4 Circular Economy.

Clover specialises in sustainable packaging and strategy for the food and beverages industry. She has 20 years of experience as a pack tech and sustainable packaging consultant across brand, retail, manufacture, and the public sector – for Pepsi Lipton, Innocent Drinks, WRAP, Weetabix and Argos Homebase.

Clover now drives Sustainability and External Affairs in the UK for Faerch.

Head of Packaging Innovation at Premier Foods with over 15 years' experience in packaging development. I lead a team of packaging professionals focusing on creating sustainable and innovative packaging solutions that enhance product appeal and reduce environmental impact across major UK brands such as Mr Kipling, Bisto, Oxo, Sharwoods, Ambrosia and The Spice tailor. I am passionate about innovation and creativity.