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

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 . 

Denise Mathieson Technical Packaging Manager at Tesco for 7 1/2 years, with responsibility for the Fresh food Categories. My role is to support the implementation of the Tesco strategy, and working with the suppliers, develop new packaging innovation to fulfil the ambition of all own label packaging being recyclable by the end of the year. We’ve spent the last 12 months, removing 1.5 billion pieces of pointless plastic.  I have been involved in print and packaging for more years than I care to remember.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Having spent more than 20 years in FMCG manufacturing and retail with McCain Foods, Asda, Walmart where he led both packaging and procurement, Shane's latest venture sees him providing expert consultancy and advisory services across the FMCG value chain.

The business specialises in providing clients with the bespoke support they need across packaging sustainability strategy, circular economy, refill, operational excellence, waste and recycling as well sustainable procurement and sourcing.

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, buying, technology and sustainability.