News

SCA Packaging director of regulatory affairs John Swift has been elected as chairman of the European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment for a two-year term. He was elected alongside a seven-strong executive committee that includes Martin Reynolds of Crown Europe and Erika Mink of Tetra Pak as well as representatives from Danone, PepsiCo and Unilever.

Peter Seward has left flexographic film producer EBR after 14 years to take up the position of operations manager at Skanem Newcastle. Skanem UK managing director Steve Dunne said Seward’s array of experience would help direct the site to greater success.

Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham has joined packaging and investment firm Grove Industries as a consultant. Grove recently bought barrier film plant Camvac in Thetford from Amcor Flexibles.

Impress general manager John Bigley has been appointed chairman of the Metal Packaging Manufacturer’s Association to succeed Lee Fairman of Crown, who has held the role for two years. Bigley has been in metal packaging for 23 years having started in the machinery building division of Metal Box.

DS Smith has appointed George Adams as chief executive of its Spicers office products wholesaling division. Adams, who was previously Kingfisher’s UK chief executive, has stepped down from his position as non-executive director on the DS Smith board.

Paul Hamer has taken up the position of business development manager at volatile corrosion inhibitor packaging specialist Technology Packaging. Hamer joins the Middlesex firm from Carrs Paper, part of the Rapaid Group, where he held a number of production and technical sales roles.

Leuze electronic has appointed Bruce Quilter as regional account manager for the South West and South Wales. Dinghy enthusiast Quilter formerly worked at MeadWestvaco, selling machinery to the food and drinks market.

Systems Labelling has promoted David Acott to the position of operations and group technical director. Acott has only been with the firm two years. Systems is also set to create two new management positions, reporting directly to Acott, to help maintain the firm’s quality standards and customer service.

John Cormode, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium’s Trading division, is to step down from the role in September after seven years. The organisation has started the search for a new chief executive to lead the BRC’s commercial arm, which generates an annual turnover exceeding £1m.