Starpack Archive & Winners' Guides

Jon West

Commercial Director, i2r Packaging Solutions Limited

With over 30 years experience in the packaging industry, Jon West is a joint founder and Commercial Director of i2r Packaging Solutions where he’s successfully developed industry award winning products through innovation and opened new markets across the world delivering significant sales growth. As a market leader, i2r supplies a comprehensive range of aluminium foil containers used extensively throughout the global food industry. The company is now part of the Italian based Laminazione Sottile Group, one of Europe’s primary manufacturers of rolled aluminium products. Prior to establishing i2r in 2007, he was previously Group Technical & Development Director at other European packaging businesses where he used his background in mechanical engineering to drive the design and implementation of new product development.

: i2r Packaging Solutions Limited
: @i2rpackaging

Tom Giddings

Sustainability & Public Affairs Manager, Alupro

: tom-giddings

Kate Jackson

Innovation Lead, Convenience, Graphic Packaging International

Kate Jackson joined Graphic Packaging International as a graduate designer 6 years ago as part of their conceptual design team. She is now an innovation lead creating conceptual designs for customer presentations, trend forecasting reports and overseeing print finish trials and new packaging innovations. In addition to her main role, she has been involved with Starpack since 2016 setting the brief for Graphic packaging International as well as judging the entries from students.

: katejackson3
: @GraphicPkg_Intl

Liam Cooke

Conceptual Designer, Graphic Packaging International

After graduating from Industrial Design and Technology at Loughborough University in 2018 Liam started working at Graphic Packaging International as a Conceptual Pac­kaging Designer. His role mainly focuses on conceptual designs right at the beginning of a packaging project; helping the client with initial packaging concepts that will then be taken on to structural design.

: liamcooke
: @GraphicPkg_Intl

Christopher Tart

Creative Structural Design Manager, Graphic Packaging International

Graduating in 2008, I have worked within the packaging design industry for 14 years.  Leading a team of outstanding creative designers, we develop innovative, sustainable packaging solutions from early concept right through to production ready proposals. With an impressive portfolio of innovative formats, the team at Graphic packaging are well placed to offer customers formats that add value to the supply chain, and the end customer.

: christopher-tart-78981325

Andy Botterill

Head of UK Sales, VPK UK & Ireland

Andy Botterill is UK Head of Sales for the leading paper and packaging supplier VPK.

With over 30 years experience in the print and  corrugated packaging industry, Andy has worked previously for Mondi Packaging in a strategic sales roles, and has been  at VPK for 16 years. During his time at VPK, Andy has helped steer the sales strategy for the UK division through a period of dramatic evolution, including acquisition and extensive expansion of the company across the UK.

He has also previously represented VPK as European Sales Manager for the pan-European alliance Blue Box Partners, which provides corrugated cardboard packaging to customers across Europe. Andy currently manages a team of VPK Key Account Managers (KAMs) across the UK.

: andy-botterill-179a5084

Sally Cousins

Marketing and Communications Manager, VPK UK & Ireland

Sally Cousins is Marketing and Communications Manager  for VPK UK & Ireland (previously Rigid Containers). She has worked at the company for five years and is responsible for the VPK UK & Ireland’s external and internal communication and the promotion of VPK across the media.

With over 25 years’ experience in the packaging industry, Sally’s background is in packaging trade magazine journalism, as well as PR and marketing for the packaging sector. During her time at VPK, she has implemented a number of major projects including the re-branding from Rigid to VPK as well as integrating Encase into the VPK brand after its acquisition in 2020. She is also responsible for cascading the wider VPK Group’s marketing  strategy at a local UK & Ireland level.    

Sally was also Chair of the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) promotional committee for four years, and during this time she was responsible for the Beyond the Box consumer campaign aimed at promoting corrugated cardboard across the media.

: sally-cousins-63b02766

Simon Astrop

Design Manager, VPK UK & Ireland

Simon has worked for VPK Packaging (formerly Rigid Containers) for over 12 years in a variety of design roles. He is currently Design Manager for VPK’s UK and Ireland sites as well as working with the company’s international design team. With extensive experience in the packaging industry, Simon has worked at Chesapeake Pharmaceutical Packaging after graduating from Loughborough University with a BA in Industrial Design and Technology.

Managing a team of designers and new product development specialists, he has extensive experience with corrugated packaging manufacturing processes, material specifications and brand enhancement. During his time at VPK he has been responsible for the implementation of leading design and innovation projects across the VPK Group.

: simon-astrop-b646502b

Laura Donington

Group Marketing Manager, Robinson PLC

Laura Donington is a Group Marketing Manager with a wealth of B2B marketing experience ranging from digital marketing, PR, events management, communications, as well as branding. Laura supports the delivery of Robinson’s marketing strategy across their international business, strengthening their value offering through sustainability and brand enhancement, content design and creation, stakeholder engagement, and communication. Laura is a STEM Ambassador with a passion for sustainability. In her previous roles, including with environment charity PECT, North East Lincolnshire Council and Ultimate Packaging, she managed social responsibility and volunteering programmes supporting businesses and communities to make sustainable changes.

: www.robinsonpackaging.com
: lauradonington

Ben Elkington

Director of Product Line Management - Global Trays, Food Packaging, Klöckner Pentaplast

Ben studied his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Brunel University in West London in before specialising with at Masters degree in Polymer Technology from De Montfort University in Leicester.  Ben is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM).  Ben joined KP (LINPAC) in 2010 as Innovation Manager, based at the Featherstone site in West Yorkshire.  His current role includes developing and delivering product plans for the kp tray portfolio.  Ben lives with his wife on the outskirts of Leeds and his hobbies include model making and following rugby.

: ben-elkington-a224802

Roxy Walker

Marketing Communications Director, Food Packaging, Klöckner Pentaplast

Roxy comes from a retail packaging background, having worked with M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Coles in Australia to project manage their packaging artwork across a number of food and home categories. Then moved from retail to LINPAC Packaging (later acquired by kp) in 2016 as Retail Marketing Manager UK to integrate the retail relationships directly into the plastics packaging space. Since then Roxy has worked in a number of roles within the business in Marketing and Communications within division and at group corporate level.

: roxy-walker-55587628
: @RoxyWalkerUK

Simon Astrop

Design Manager, VPK UK & Ireland

Simon has worked for VPK Packaging (formerly Rigid Containers) for over 12 years in a variety of design roles. He is currently Design Manager for VPK’s UK and Ireland sites as well as working with the company’s international design team. With extensive experience in the packaging industry, Simon has worked at Chesapeake Pharmaceutical Packaging after graduating from Loughborough University with a BA in Industrial Design and Technology.

Managing a team of designers and new product development specialists, he has extensive experience with corrugated packaging manufacturing processes, material specifications and brand enhancement. During his time at VPK he has been responsible for the implementation of leading design and innovation projects across the VPK Group.

: simon-astrop-b646502b

Chris Clarke

R&D Manager, Logoplaste Innovation Lab UK

Chris has been working within the plastics industry for over 28 years and is currently the R&D Lead for Logoplaste Innovation Lab UK – a world leading independent division of the Logoplaste Group, exclusively dedicated to the research and development of sustainable rigid plastic packaging

Having studied Polymer Engineering and Manufacturing Chris joined Logoplaste 21 years ago. He has industry experience working in Plastics processing and Project Management and has led operational manufacturing start up teams through-out Europe. Chris actively works with both Logoplaste customers and independents advising and developing packaging from its concept stage through to industrialization.

Chris sits on the British Plastics Sustainability; and Horners Polymer committees and is a member of the UK Institute of Materials. As a Starpack Award sponsor over the last 10 years Chris works closely with schools and students promoting training and packaging best practices.

Darren Wingrove

Project Manager, Logoplaste Innovation Lab UK

Darren has been working within the plastics industry for over 33 years and is currently working alongside Chris Clarke & John George for Logoplaste Innovation Lab UK – a world leading independent division of the Logoplaste Group, exclusively dedicated to the research and development of sustainable rigid plastic packaging

After studying as a Toolmaking and Advanced Machine setter primarily around injection tool and machine design, Darren joined Logoplaste 21 years ago, he has industry experience working in Plastics injection, Blow moulding processing and Project Management and has led operations as a Production and Development Manager. Darren’s actively works as part of a 3 person Uk team supporting both Logoplaste customers and independents advising and developing packaging from its concept stage through to industrialization.

Darren has been involved in the Starpack Award sponsor over the last 4 years and has been the Starpack leader for the past 3 years.

John George

Project Manager, Logoplaste Innovation Lab UK

John has been working within the plastics industry for over 25 years and is currently working alongside Chris Clarke & Darren Wingrove for Logoplaste Innovation Lab UK – a world leading independent division of the Logoplaste Group, exclusively dedicated to the research and development of sustainable rigid plastic packaging.

John was originally trained as a Mechanical Engineer in the cable manufacturing industry, later specialising in extrusion and polymer compounding research and development he also gained extensive experience within the bio polymers sector before beginning his career in the Rigid Packaging industry. He has also lived and worked in Australia and the USA having been employed by industry leading blue-chip companies in the OEM, beverage and packaging sectors before joining Logoplaste 5 years ago. Due to his diverse career he has attained extensive industry experience working in the fields of injection and blow moulding, NPD implementation and Project Management. 

John actively works as part of a 3 person UK team supporting both Logoplaste customers and independents advising and developing packaging from its concept stage through to industrialization.

John has also judged the Starpack Awards over the last 3 years supporting Darren Wingrove and Chris Clarke. 

Kate Jackson

Innovation Lead, Convenience, Graphic Packaging International

Kate Jackson joined Graphic Packaging International as a graduate designer 6 years ago as part of their conceptual design team. She is now an innovation lead creating conceptual designs for customer presentations, trend forecasting reports and overseeing print finish trials and new packaging innovations. In addition to her main role, she has been involved with Starpack since 2016 setting the brief for Graphic packaging International as well as judging the entries from students.

: katejackson3
: @GraphicPkg_Intl

Liam Cooke

Conceptual Designer, Graphic Packaging International

After graduating from Industrial Design and Technology at Loughborough University in 2018 Liam started working at Graphic Packaging International as a Conceptual Pac­kaging Designer. His role mainly focuses on conceptual designs right at the beginning of a packaging project; helping the client with initial packaging concepts that will then be taken on to structural design.

: liamcooke
: @GraphicPkg_Intl

Christopher Tart

Creative Structural Design Manager, Graphic Packaging International

Graduating in 2008, I have worked within the packaging design industry for 14 years.  Leading a team of outstanding creative designers, we develop innovative, sustainable packaging solutions from early concept right through to production ready proposals. With an impressive portfolio of innovative formats, the team at Graphic packaging are well placed to offer customers formats that add value to the supply chain, and the end customer.

: christopher-tart-78981325

Ben Elkington

Director of Product Line Management - Global Trays, Food Packaging, Klöckner Pentaplast

Ben studied his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Brunel University in West London in before specialising with at Masters degree in Polymer Technology from De Montfort University in Leicester.  Ben is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM).  Ben joined KP (LINPAC) in 2010 as Innovation Manager, based at the Featherstone site in West Yorkshire.  His current role includes developing and delivering product plans for the kp tray portfolio.  Ben lives with his wife on the outskirts of Leeds and his hobbies include model making and following rugby.

: ben-elkington-a224802

Roxy Walker

Marketing Communications Director, Food Packaging, Klöckner Pentaplast

Roxy comes from a retail packaging background, having worked with M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Coles in Australia to project manage their packaging artwork across a number of food and home categories. Then moved from retail to LINPAC Packaging (later acquired by kp) in 2016 as Retail Marketing Manager UK to integrate the retail relationships directly into the plastics packaging space. Since then Roxy has worked in a number of roles within the business in Marketing and Communications within division and at group corporate level.

: roxy-walker-55587628
: @RoxyWalkerUK

Jude Allan

Chair, IOM3 Packaging Society

Jude started as a packaging technologist at the drinks division of Mars before taking the experience of life as a client over to 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 with offices in London, New York, Singapore and Shanghai.

Jude and her team were responsible for delivering creative packaging designs into market for a wide range of much-loved brands from global favourites to local heroes as well as launching new start-up brands.

Working closely with brands such as Budweiser, Mars, Molton Brown, McVitie’s, Dulux paints and Hippeas, she has a rich and varied experience of the packaging industry, the challenges of innovation and the needs of brand owners to respond to their consumers demands.

 In 2018 she took on the role of chief operating officer at a start-up engineering agency in London with a manufacturing and project management office in Shenzhen, China. She spent a frenetic eighteen months at RPD International professionalising the business and developing the skills of a young group of entrepreneurs and engineers.

Jude now chairs the IOM3 Packaging Group.

She has a BEng in Materials Science and the IOM3 Diploma of Packaging Technology

: judith-allan-b2410992

Keith Barnes

Owner and Consultant, KB Consulting

Keith has worked in the packaging industry for over 56 years, with roles at Ilford Ltd and Boots Innovations where he was reponsible for packaging and cost reduction. He is enthuastic about emerging talent and has been a prominent judge of the Starpack competition for several years.

He is currently a member of CIWN, Plastics Pact, RSA and Green Alliance, as well as an IOM3 Board member. 

 

Sarah Greenwood BSc (Hons) MSc (Eng) FIMMM

Packaging Technology Expert, Sarah Greenwood Packaging

Sarah Greenwood is a sustainable packaging and plastics consultant with over 20 years’ experience working in industry. Holding degrees in Physics and Polymer Science, she began her career in packaging as a development technologist on high performance packaging films at BP.  She has since held technical roles at major brands and retailers in all aspects of the packaging supply chain. This included looking into the use of bio-plastics and packaging designed to extend product shelf-life for a major retailer. As a consultant her clients have included WRAP, Smithers, Iceland Foods and Garçon Wines. Sarah co-leads the project Many Happy Returns: Enabling reusable packaging systems at The University of Sheffield, Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, a project funded by the Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge. A fellow of the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining, she is chair of the North of England Packaging Society and is a board member of the IOM3 Packaging Group.

: sarahgreenwoodpkg
: @GreenwoodPkg

Mike Swain BSc(Hons) FIMMM

Managing Director, Pack IDS Ltd | IOM3 Packaging Society

Passionate about packaging, the circular economy and driving forward both the professional and academic activities for packaging.

Currently the Managing Director of Pack IDS Ltd, an independent packaging consultancy, founded in 2017. 30 years experience in Innovation, R&D, Marketing and Manufacturing for international and global branded packaged consumer goods companies, such as P&G, Unilever, Diageo, Tata and Britvic and a track record of consistent delivery of commercially successful, award winning products.  A Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, a member since 1987 and Exec Board member of the IOM3 Packaging Group since 2020.  Industry award winner and a published author of blogs and periodicals, with several patents pending and numerous original creative designs. Involved with biotechnology start-ups, academic research and a visiting lecturer in packaging.

: mike-swain