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.

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.

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 25 years experience within the Packaging Industry, my career began as a Packaging Buyer before moving into Packaging Development where I’ve worked across many sectors including beauty, fashion, quick service restaurants and Retail working for Safeway, Debenhams, Waitrose and now M&S. I’d like to think my input helps make a difference to make our planet a better place for future generations, so I strive to improve packaging ensuring it’s sustainable, fit for purpose and hopefully sometimes a bit WOW!

“With a background in Biology, Environmental Economics & Environmental Management, Amy has spent the past 12 years in roles focused on advancing sustainable initiatives and systems. She has a keen interest in creating change through the use of research, strategy, and the facilitation of collaborative problem-solving across a diversity of stakeholders, from startups and NGOs to academic institutions and large corporates. At Biffa, reporting to the CIO, she works with internal and external partners to drive innovation in waste management, and support the transition to a more sustainable, circular sector.”

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.

Denise has decades of experience within the packaging industry, having started in print in 1989. She took up the position at Waitrose in January 2024 after many years at Tesco. She has judged the UK Packaging awards for many years, and sits as a technical advisor to OPRL and RECOUP, and participates widely within UK Plastic Pact Advisory and Steering Groups. She is passionate about circularity and recycling, believing we all have our part to play in improving the quality of the packaging we put on the market and the recycling rates in the UK though working together collaboratively across the supply chain and UK retailers.

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 Structural Packaging for the International DIY company Kingfisher Plc under retail banners that include B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Koçtaş.

Rachel has over 20 years’ experience in the packaging industry. A member of the Greiner Packaging UK team for over 14 years, Rachel worked in various business development roles, until being promoted to the new role of Sustainability and Innovation Manager in 2022.

Rachel says: “Ever since I joined Greiner Packaging, we have been on a constant and well-planned journey to deliver the most sustainable packaging solutions. My role creates the opportunity to provide our customers with the reassurance that they can avoid the dangers of greenwashing, by adopting packaging which measurably improves their carbon footprint and sustainability position.”

Joanna is Managing Director of Think B2B Marketing Limited, a leading international marketing and communications agency specialising in print and packaging. After a career spanning over 30 years in the print and packaging sector, today she leads a team of 25 employees, is an active member of Young People in Print and advocate of Diversity and Inclusion in the sector.

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.