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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘Simon Oxley is a Mechanical Engineer by trade and a packaging enthusiast by nature. In his 20 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, purchasing, technology and sustainability.’

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.

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.

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.

Stefan is a senior creative, innovative marketing, and packaging specialist with over 20 years’ of global experience. He is the Global Design to Deliver Lead at Nestle, responsible for the strategic development of future design and innovation across the entire category portfolio.

Jude Allan is 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.

Jude started as a packaging technologist at Mars before taking the experience of life as a client into the world of a packaging design agency. For almost 20 years, Jude championed and led the production and creative operations at jonesknowlesrtichie as it grew from a London-based packaging design agency to a global design business.

Lisa is a Packaging Engineer with over 30 years of 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 much loved brands. During her 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. Since 2019, Lisa has worked for Waitrose in the Own Brand and Innovation team, looking after multiple categories, including Produce, Horticulture, Bakery and the broad BWS category. On a personal level, Lisa’s involved in many local community projects as well as her local Church and Mothers Union. She is an avid football fan and season ticket holder.

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 Resources and Waste Working Group, an adviser on UKRI’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Fund and sits on several government and industry working groups addressing this broad topic.

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.

Adrian has spent fifteen varied years in the steel industry focused on B2B marketing, strategy, branding, product development and more. He holds a Postgraduate Chartered Diploma in Marketing and is particularly keen on innovative and environmentally friendly packaging with eye-catching design.