Arno Melchior works for Reckitt. Not only is he obsessed with packaging, but sustainability as well. For this reason, in 1991 he left a well-paid job as a mechanical engineer in the car design department of Opel, Germany to join Reckitt. Since then, he has worked in various packaging functions with increasing responsibility in Germany and France before finally moving to his office in Slough in 2004 to take on his current position as Global Packaging Director. In addition to sustainability, Arno's focus is on delivering consumer-oriented and cost-efficient packaging design and passing on his extensive knowledge to the next generation of packaging engineers.

Bob McLellan Independent industry specialist. A non-executive director on three boards in the packaging sector spanning organisations from a small medium enterprise to a large private organisation and through to a listed plc. Prior to his “official“ retirement Bob was the CEO for DS Smith in the UK and deputy for Europe. He was President for the Confederation of Paper Industries in the UK and also President of FEFCO and CITPA in Continental Europe. Previous winner of CEO of the year and awarded outstanding contribution to the packaging industry.

Packaging leader, with extensive packaging innovation, sustainability & development experience across major-scale FMCG & retail

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’s packaging career spans 35+ years and is a Fellow of IOM3 – Packaging Society (FIMM), a member of the Science Advisory Group to FERA, UK and Chairs an Industry Skills Partnership for a new Packaging Professional degree apprenticeship. Bruce strives to develop science & technology, contributing towards breakthrough, sustainable and consumer centric packaging innovation, from idea through to pilot and first launch.

Clover specialises in sustainable packaging and strategy for the food and beverages industry. Clover has over 15 years’ experience as a pack tech and sustainable packaging consultant across manufacture, brand, retail and the public sector – for Pepsi Lipton, Innocent Drinks, WRAP, Weetabix and Argos Homebase. Clover now leads UK Sustainability and External Affairs for Faerch.

Debbie has a wealth of experience, having worked in the metal packaging industry for nearly 40 years. She manages all administration, accounts, enquiries and communications for the MPMA – The Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association.

Dick Searle has spent the 51 years of his working life in the Packaging Industry. For over 30 years, before becoming Chief Executive of The Packaging Federation in 2006, 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.

Emma joined the BCMPA, the Association for Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment & Logistics in 2012 having run her a large company in the contract manufacturing and packing industry for over 20 years. Prior to that she worked with a range of blue-chip companies in the advertising world and has extensive experience in the process of 3rd party outsourcing.

Haulwen Nicholas is founder of Packaging Oracle (www.packagingoracle.com) a consultancy she has been running for 4 years giving advice to brands, retailers, SME’s and NGOs on packaging and the environment. With over 23 years of experience across the supply chain working for Dairy Crest, Muller, Wipak, Nice-Pak International and WRAP, and her degree in Environmental Biology, Haulwen is well placed to coach, mentor, train and advise packaging manufacturers, users, and buyers on all types of packaging, as well as packaging and environmental strategy.

Helen Nickells is currently Head of Packaging Development and has worked in the packaging industry for 30 years in development and procurement roles within the food sector developing new packaging formats & materials for Brand and Retailer Brand customers. Her experience spans across many categories within ambient, frozen and chilled foods working for Young’s Seafood, Heinz & United Biscuits. Helen is currently responsible for the Packaging Development and Packaging Sustainability at Young’s Seafood working with a fabulous team who were the very proud winners of the Packaging Development Team of the Year 2019.

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

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.

Kevin Vyse has been working in the packaging industry now for over three and a halve decades and has a unique perspective on the subject. He describes himself as a packaging polymath. He has a unique perspective as a designer, an engineer and an advocate of circular economic practices. His career has spanned brand, retail and design as well as manufacturing and research. His previous roles have included positions at M&S and Tesco as well as Muller and Premier Foods. His present role is as Head of Technical for ProAmpac-London, at the division specialising in ‘food on the go’. A key focus is removing plastic wherever possible and reducing the complexity of the carbon LCA Kevin is also a None Executive Director of OPRL, on the board of Incpen and also a well-known voice for the Circular Economy in packaging.

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.

Lisa is a Packaging Engineer with 29years 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. ​ 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 at Britvic, leading new bottle development work on the Robinsons brand as well as being Chair of the Packaging council. In 2017 Lisa spent several years consulting across many of the UK’s best loved brands and businesses. Lisa is currently working at Waitrose in the Own Brand and Innovation team. ​ 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.

Matt Waine is a packaging development manager with over 30 years’ experience in developing new and innovative packaging for consumer products. He has broad and extensive experience, leading development projects from ideation, and launching consumer preferred packaging in food, beverage, health and beauty sectors. Currently responsible for packaging development at Premier Foods, and has worked for Diageo, HP Bulmer and P&G.

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.

Nicola Jones is Tata Steel in Europe’s Manager of Steel Packaging Recycling. Having joined the company when it was British Steel in 1999, Nicola has spend the majority of her career working within the Packaging Recycling Department of the UK’s only remaining tinplating works in Trostre, South Wales. Nicola works with all levels of stakeholders within the packaging industry to raise the profile of sustainable steel packaging and its recycling credentials.

Principal Scientist at R&D Central Packaging Mondelez International, based in Bournville UK. Working global and cross category, blue sky and focused on innovations, digital and digital associated technologies in the Materials and Equipment Innovation team. Forty years Blue Sky, Packaging Development, Packaging Innovation, Packaging Engineering and Quality Assurance experience. Worked 18 years at Estee Lauder, 2 Years Nestle, 2 years Campina, 3 years Coty, 3 years Marks & Spenser, 2 years at CosI and is currently at Mondelez International for 11 years. Fully conversant with all packaging related processes from raw materials until landfill. Passion and hungry for innovation, newness and latest technologies. Technical strengths with analytical and scientific approach. Short and long term provider, strategic, market research and trend analyzing. Explore within own environment, at competitors, cross industry and where possible apply biomimetics. Eager to be a leader, being first and try not to follow. Strong personality with many skills. Team player and with ability to make decisions and takes responsibility. Creative and innovative and constantly looking for new challenges and opportunities. Mentor and keen to motivate students, colleagues and developers.

Paul Vanston became Chief Executive of the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN) in May 2017 after 25 years in central and local government. He’s a Member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management; the Courtauld 2025 Steering Group tackling food waste; the UK Plastics Pact; the Green Alliance; and the Government’s Resources & Waste Stakeholder Advisory Group.

Rodney has been Chief Executive of the British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association since 2003. During this time the BCMPA has become widely regarded as The Association for Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment and Logistics and membership has increased to over 150 members. Prior to that Rodney spent several decades in the print and packaging industries, including running a successful contract filling business in the chemical sector.

Scott is a leading creative designer, Innovator & Packaging expert with 20 years + experience in FMCG & Luxury Products. As a specialist in his field, Scott fully understands design development, production lead to manufacturing and has been responsible for many design & innovation projects with outstanding results. Currently the Chief Creative Officer at Pusterla 1880 and Previously, the Global Head of Design & Innovation at Davidoff, Head of Design at Novartis, Scott’s experience speaks for itself. His vast knowledge in packaging, concept design and development to manufacturing have won him several design awards across the Globe.

Having spent the last 20 years leading packaging and procurement for both Asda and McCain Foods, Shane recently struck out on his own to launch his new consultancy business, One:Ex Consulting Ltd. Shane now works with a number of clients across the FMCG supply chain on projects covering packaging, procurement and environment. Shane combines a deep experience of not just packaging sustainability, but sourcing, procurement and brand execution as well as recycling, waste management and innovative refill systems.

Simon Oxley is a Mechanical Engineer by trade and a packaging enthusiast by nature. In his 18 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.

Stefan is a senior creative, an innovator and curator of ideas. A specialist with over 20 year’s global experience developed working with iconic brands and retailers across the ‘Global Fortune 500.’ As innovation lead for Nestle confectionery, he is operating at the cutting edge of future innovation. He is responsible for the new product development and research within packaging in the exciting world of chocolate and sweets.

Theodoros is experienced in launching international projects, with a focus on supply chain, operations, production and quality deliverables. His experience in packaging, combined with his background in logistics, operations and continuous improvement have been key for Theodoros to appreciate and promote the strategic value of packaging and its positive impact and contribution to the business success.