UK Packaging Pact appoints five new industry leaders to head focus groups as part of pact to transform UK packaging system
The UK Packaging Pact has unveiled the industry experts that will chair its five core Industry Expert Groups (IEGs) to help transform how plastic packaging is designed, used and recycled.
The pact, supported by the global environmental action NGO Wrap, was launched in April 2026. It is a a 10-year voluntary agreement (2026–2035) that expands on the 2018 UK Plastics Pact and aims to help businesses eliminate unnecessary packaging and switch to a circular economy.
Among its chairs are the bosses of Tesco, M&S, Robinson Packaging, the waste management multinational Suez, and the British Plastics Federation.
James Bull, head of packaging and food waste strategies at Tesco, will chair the ‘Scale Reuse and Refill’ industry expert group which will “drive interoperable systems to increase the proportion of packaging that is reusable compared to single-use”.
Bull said: “I am delighted to be chairing this expert group as we start to lay the foundations for implementing a reusable packaging model and begin the transition to circularity.
“Reuse is a key element in delivering a shift to a more circular economy but we know that achieving meaningful progress can only be realised through industry collaboration. That’s why the UK Packaging Pact Reuse Industry Expert Group is an important next step, bringing together the best in the industry to focus on delivering scalable reuse solutions that work for businesses and consumers alike.”
It was also announced that Clare Edgar, head of packaging at M&S, will chair the ’Harmonising Data’ IEG, which aims to “simplify data reporting requirements through standardisation and alignment, improving traceability and enabling data-led design and sourcing decisions.”
Jamie Riley, head of sustainability at Robinson is set to chair the group in support of optimising packaging, while Stuard Hayward-Higham of Suez Recycling & Recovery UK will lead the circular infrastructure investment group.
Brian Lodge, director of packaging at the British Plastics Federation will chair the films and flexibles group.
The IEGs will hold meetings in the coming months to agree work plans and initiate relevant task and finish groups, setting out “high-level” roadmaps for each goal.
Helen Bird, head of packaging at Wrap, said: “I am delighted to welcome our chairs who will provide essential steer on priority workstreams across the Packaging Pact’s Industry Expert Groups.
“Theirs will be a key role in keeping the Packaging Pact moving forward at pace, and ensuring that action plans and work programmes compliment external initiatives, and meet the needs of industry.”
The announcement of chairs comes as Diageo, L’Oreal UK and Ireland, and Pilgrim’s Europe are the latest to join the fact, as membership reaches 90 per cent of the UK’s grocery retail market.
