PACKTECH2011

‘Packaging: public servant or public enemy.’

It’s obvious, surely? Public servant, of course.

Ever close at hand; always finding new ways to cater for whatever demands are thrown at it; infinitely dependable in delivering the goods on time, with verve and imagination, and in tip-top condition.

Well - we say that, but then we would wouldn’t we. However, does the consumer agree?

Whilst no one goes shopping for packaging, it’s undeniably the trigger that fires enthusiasm for a product on shelf. But does it do its job so well that it’s all too often taken for granted – only coming under scrutiny as an irritant to be shot of once it’s fulfilled its primary function?

The ‘Big Packaging Debate’ will explore this disconnect between reality and perception.

On the panel we have a wealth of specialist opinion representing different and sometimes conflicting perspectives on the role played by packaging within everyday life:

Bob Gordon
Head of Environment at the British Retail Consortium

Karen Graley
Packaging & Reprographics manager at Waitrose

Steve Kelsey
Joint founder of PI Global

Kevin Golding-Williams
Senior Public Affairs Manager at Keep Britain Tidy

Kevin Vyse
The Packaging Society

In the audience, we have the benefit of direct experience drawn from across the supply chain:

And that’s YOU!

To ask the questions to which they’ll provide the answers. It may not immediately change the consumer mind-set to what we do, but it will provide some high-octane fuel for thought that’ll make a difference to the way in which we engage with it.

The ‘Big Packaging Debate’ will be held at the International Brand Summit theatre on Wednesday 16 February 2011 from 3.30 to 4.30 pm, followed by drinks at the Networking Bar, Sponsored by SIG Combibloc

Take an active part by raising points from the floor, or posting questions online in advance – email debate@easyfairs.com

Kevin Vyse - Chair

Kevin is a brand, packaging and retail troubleshooter and his career has spanned 30 years in FMCG with time being spent on all facets of the branding, packaging and retail mix.

He trained as a packaging designer and also marketer and is in a unique position to speak on matters concerning brands, packaging and retail.

His knowledge based view has been built up working on every aspect of a brand lifecycle.

Companies listed in his portfolio include SJ Johnson, Reckitt Benckiser, GSK, Tesco, Diageo, B&Q, Planet Design, Akzo Nobel, M S George and Butcombe Brewery.

In the last 10 years, as well as working for brand owners, Kevin has worked with SME’s  including marketing research business Tangible Branding and brand investment company Huni. He also serves as a non-executive on the board of three companies.

His pro-bono work includes PRAG, Vice Chairman of The Packaging Society and Sierra Leone Company London.
He was awarded a Fellowship of the Institute of Packaging in 1997 and has a Diploma in Marketing.

Bob Gordon
Environment Policy Adviser

Bob Gordon is Head of Environment at the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and leads on environmental issues, notably waste and carbon emissions. Bob also operates the On-Pack Recycling Label scheme (www.oprl.org.uk), which provides standardised messaging for consumers concerning packaging disposal.

Previously, Bob held positions in research and consultancy organisations, working on corporate responsibility and social exclusion.

Steve Kelsey
Owner Pi Global

Steve Kelsey is one of the founding partners of PI - the largest private brand consultancy in Europe, which celebrates its 22nd birthday this year.

Steve was trained as a product designer at Central St Martins in London - now part of The London Institute, one of the worlds premier design universities - but at an early stage in his career decided that the design discipline was only one component of success. To find the rest Steve spent several years working within the packaging industry before setting up PI and PI3.

Steve’s firm has worked internationally for many years for global brands from Procter & Gamble, Allied Domecq, Kellogg’s, Wrigley, to name a few from the companies extensive client list. PI has a track record of 76 innovative launches over the past 21 years - 67% of which are still in the market place making money for PI’s clients.

Dr Kevin Golding-Williams, MSc, Bsc (Hons), FRGS

Kevin’s current role is Senior Public Affairs Manager at Keep Britain Tidy. A role which over the last six months has seen him leading Keep Britain Tidy’s contribution to developing the outputs of the Secretary of State’s Litter Roundtable through engagement with public, private and civil society sector to understand the challenges and opportunities for these sectors to reduce litter levels in England. This work culminated in the first ever National Litter Convention in December 2010 and provided the platform for “Love Where You Live” which will be launched in summer 2011.

Previously Kevin was Senior Executive-Policy Research at Keep Britain Tidy. A role which over the last nine months has involved reviewing the literature surrounding local environmental quality and speaking with individuals from a wide range of organisations in order to produce Keep Britain Tidy’s Manifesto and supporting evidence papers.

Kevin has been seconded to the local environmental quality team within Defra during which time he project managed the creation of National Indicator 195 and was policy lead for NI195 Local Area Agreements. Prior to joining Defra Kevin managed the Capital Standards Programme in London Prior to joining Capital Standards Kevin was responsible for environmental management at Lancaster University.

Kevin obtained his first degree in Environmental Science at Kingston University before moving to Lancaster University to study a Master’s degree in European Environmental Policy and Management. He then completed a doctorate concerning the Application of the UN World Heritage Convention on the UK and USA. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Common Purpose Graduate.

Karen Graley, Packaging and Reprographics Manager for Waitrose.  

Karen has been working in the packaging industry for over 20 years and joined Waitrose in 2005 after 12 years with Safeway in the own brand design team.  
Overseeing packaging strategy and delivery, Karen also manages the own brand reprographics team and suppliers. Recent key projects include managing packaging developments for essential Waitrose, Duchy Originals From Waitrose and Heston From Waitrose.
Passionate about all aspects of packaging including high quality print, Karen represents Waitrose on several steering groups, using her good all round understanding of packaging to help manage the demanding challenges high profile brands require.