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.

With over 20 years’ experience in the packaging industry, working in manufacturing, design, with Proctor & Gamble and in food retail with Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer and Prêt, Paula joined the WWF in 2019 as part of the specialist technical team supporting the ambitious Tesco partnership. As a Senior Policy Adviser, she is involved in policy thinking relating to wider resources and waste issues including a global treaty to combat plastic pollution, supporting a shift to a circular economy and advocating for ambitious domestic policy measures to tackle the impacts of resource consumption. 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. She is the current Chair of the Wildlife and Countryside Link’s Circular Economy Working Group, an adviser on UKRI’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge and was appointed as the joint eNGO representative on the pEPR Scheme Administrator Interim Steering Group.

Debbie has worked in the metal packaging industry for over 40 years, gaining a wealth of knowledge of the sector. She manages administration, accounts, enquiries and communications for the MPMA (Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association).

An industry expert with over 46 years of experience, Neil Farmer is the founder of Neil Farmer Associates, a packaging consultancy. He is a prolific writer and speaker on packaging trends and sustainability and has authored numerous reports and articles. Neil is also a marathon runner who has competed in races around the world.

Laura Fernandez is the Senior Sustainability Manager at Ocado Retail. Laura leads the sustainability team to deliver their Planet Together strategy with responsible packaging playing a critical role to become a net zero business. She is also responsible for Ocado’s relationship with external industry bodies and member groups. Laura is passionate about packaging and was previously a Senior Packaging Technologist at M&S after gaining an MSc in Packaging Technology and Management. She is a Fellow of IMMM, a Board Member of INCPEN and RECOUP. Laura is an avid promoter of circular economy and driven to ensure we leave the planet better than we found it.

Gill leads our consulting offer, with over 25 years’ experience in the print and packaging industry, strategically developing packaging strategies, roadmaps and packaging solutions to meet the needs of clients and consumers/end users. She has worked with a number of global retailers and household brands on projects spanning sustainability and innovation to supply chain optimisation. With a real passion for sustainable packaging, her quest is to inform and drive a circular economy wherever possible while completing creativity and technical functionality but never forgetting commercial requirements.

Nick is a 46-year veteran of the corrugated packaging and display sectors. He established Swanline Group, a vertically integrated collection of strategically aligned businesses producing corrugated displays and retail packaging. He was a co-founder of CorrBoard UK, a corrugated sheet manufacturer in Scunthorpe, and CorrBoard Bioenergy, the adjacent anaerobic digestion renewable energy facility. This facilitated his companies to be part of the world’s first true circular economy for corrugated packaging. Nick sold his business interests in 2021 and 2024 to Zeus Packaging, VPK Packaging and Eco Verde Energy. He now has an active role as Non-Executive Director of Zeus Packaging Group.

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.

Lisa, a fellow of IOM3, is a Packaging Engineer with over 30 years' experience across Food, Drink and Beauty Based FMCG. 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 much-loved brands.

During her 24 year tenure with P&G, Lisa worked across multiple beauty platforms including Personal Cleansing and Cosmetics. She was the regional R&D Package Development leader for Skin Care, the Global packaging strategy owner for the Olay Total Effects brand and, the high viscosity dispensing lead, driving strategy, use and collaboration. At Britvic, Lisa was a Senior Innovation Leader, leading new bottle development work on the Robinsons brand as well as being Chair of the Packaging council. For over 4 years, Lisa worked for Waitrose in the Own Brand and Innovation team, looking after multiple categories including Produce, Horticulture, Bakery and the broad BWS category. Today, Lisa is Head of Packaging for the International DIY company Kingfisher Plc. under retail banners that include B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Koçtaş.

Lisa, a fellow of IOM3, is a Packaging Engineer with over 30 years' experience across Food, Drink and Beauty Based FMCG. 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 much-loved brands across companies including P&G, Britvic and Waitrose. Today, Lisa is Head of Packaging for the International DIY company Kingfisher Plc under retail banners that include B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Koçtaş.

‘Simon Oxley is a Mechanical Engineer by trade and a packaging enthusiast by nature. In his 24 years in the industry his career to date has encompassed roles developing and buying packaging, re-launching big brands, installing production lines and leading teams. Initially part of the graduate scheme at Britvic Soft Drinks he swapped fizzy pop for fruit smoothies when he moved to innocent Drinks in 2008 to take up the role of Head of Packaging.

A move to Marks & Spencer followed in 2012 where he was responsible for Packaging Technology for the Food Division. Following 5 years in retail he moved to the supplier side and headed home to Yorkshire to join Cranswick plc as Packaging Controller. The bright lights of London and the chance to join Pret A Manger soon beckoned him back where in his current role as Global Head of Packaging he is responsible for packaging development, innovation, purchasing, technology and sustainability.’

Dick Searle has spent the 58 years of his working life in the Packaging Industry. For over 30 years, before running The Packaging Federation, he had been CEO of several 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 Trade Association for the UK Packaging Manufacturing Industry and its membership includes many packaging companies and all of the industry’s material sector trade associations.

He has been Chief Executive of The Packaging Federation since 2006.

Brian is a dynamic leader in the packaging industry, known for his extensive experience in driving innovation, sustainability, and market commercialization. His career has included significant leadership roles with major global CPG and retail brands.

Currently, Brian leads the Packaging Division at Pivots & Blocks, a global growth and execution consultancy. In this role, he leverages his experience to spearhead the design and development of creative packaging solutions that are not only sustainable and viable but also desirable and feasible. His focus encompasses a keen eye for scouting new technologies and enabling capabilities that inspire positive change and stimulate growth. Brian's deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in the packaging industry allows him to drive impactful and innovative solutions.

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.

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.

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.