Our work

In additional to international, national, regional and local government liaison, we ensure our members are kept informed through our annual Environment Conference, regular webinars and our weekly news Digest.

Members have plenty of opportunity to network with each other through our annual Awards, lunch and various events. Our committee structure ensures that members are represented at every level.

Material Neutral

We believe all packaging materials have a role to play in our industry and represent the interests of all our members, who play a full part in the circular economy.

Governance

The FPA has an Executive Chairman elected by the members, a governing board, an Executive Director appointed by the board and committees that report to the Board covering key areas. This enables a broad section of members to participate in the running of the Association. 

FPA Board

  • Executive Chairman

    Mark Byrne

    COMPANY: FPA

    Mark has been in the packaging industry for more than 30 years and in the FPA for over 20 years. Mark is skilled in Rigid containers across Thermoforming, Injection moulding and blown film extrusion in Foodservice packaging. He is a strong business development professional in operations, distribution, manufacturing, and global sales.

  • Executive Director

    Martin Kersh

    COMPANY: FPA

    Martin is a member of Defra and HMRC stakeholder advisory groups. He was a member of the government’s Litter Strategy Advisory Group and the Steering Group for Hospitality & Food Service Agreement seeking to reduce food waste. He attends the All Party Parliamentary Group for Packaging, is chair of Packaging Innovations Big Carbon debate and has addressed many hospitality and packaging industry events. 

  • Finance Director

    Malcolm Sargent

    COMPANY: Malsar Kest Ltd (1977–2016)

    Malcolm joined Bettacater Services Ltd in 1970 as Finance Director & Company Secretary. In 1977 he set up Malsar Kest Ltd and in 1983 became the first distributor member of BDPA (FPA’s title prior to 2006). In 1984 he was appointed Finance Director and still serves in this capacity. He also served four years as Deputy Chairman and two years as Chairman. In 2014 he sold Malsar Kest and later retired. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Administrative Accountants.

  • Compliance Director

    Anne Sutton

    Having graduated from University of Surrey with a BSc Honours degree, Anne Sutton now has over 40-years of international experience at Vice President/ Director level in the retail industry, in paper and plastic packaging manufacture & innovation and in UK, EU and global government affairs and legislation.

    Recently retired from industry, Anne is now the FPA Compliance Director.

    Anne is also an FPA board member, a board member of the Packaging Federation, and president of 360° Foodservice Europe.

  • Interim Vice-Chair

    Anna Turner

    COMPANY: Bidfood

    Anna has been in the industry since 1989, starting out at Pal International as a Trainee Customer Services Assistant and ending as Sales Manager for Northern Europe.  This role enabled her to travel and live in Scandinavia, Holland and Belgium.  After 14 years, Anna moved to Georgia Pacific for 10 years, notable achievements included working in the US with American colleagues and launching a new range of foodservice disposables across Europe.  Anna has been at Bidfood for eight years, working in the Travel and Leisure Industry.  

    Anna is an FPA Board Director and Head of the Membership Committee.

SAGA Committee (Sustainability And Government Affairs)

Head of Committee: Adrian Pratt, Benders Paper Cups

The SAGA committee keeps abreast of all the latest government legislation and regulation relating to materials deployed by members; advises on FPA policy in relation to regulatory events, helps set FPA policy; challenges decisions and policy at central and devolved governments and ensure members are kept well informed on matters impacting their business. 

Membership: 
 
Mike Hanson, Baxter Storey
Neil Whittall, Huhtamaki
Tony Breton , Novamont
Louisa Goodfellow, Ecosurety
Justin Turquet, Bunzl Catering Supplies
Martin Kersh, FPA
Ashleigh Taylor, Compass Group
Will Mercer, Coveris
Libby Coe, Cofresco

 

Membership Committee

Head of Committee: Anna Turner, Bidfood 

The membership committee ensures a strong pipeline of potential members for the FPA and advises on the suitability of potential members and ensures members comply with the FPA Code of Practice and the FPA Charter. 

Membership:
Vice Chair: Mark Byrne, FPA
Charlie Dean, Catering 24
Mark Durstan, Pactiv 


 

Marketing Committee

Chair: Dave Lucas, Faerch 

The marketing committee ensures that the FPA is promoted in all the right places and works closely with the membership committee to target new segments across the supply chain for membership.

Membership:

David Young, Cedo

Katie Shaw, Bunzl Catering Supplies

Jon Silvey, Nivek


 

Leisure & Activities Committee

Chair: Cliff Mason, Eximex

The Leisure and Activities Committee organises and stages the annual golf and activities day, where members and their guest enjoy an excellent day of sport (in whatever form!) and networking. 

Membership:
 
Mark Byrne, FPA
Jim Harris, KP

Regulatory & Compliance Committee

The massive increase in reported packaging environmental claims lacking evidence and substantiation have led the FPA to set up a Regulatory and Compliance Committee to establish and administer an independent and confidential procedure surrounding complaints of breaches, and to hold those who breach regulations to account

Examples of breaches include unsubstantiated claims of packaging being plastic free, biodegradable, green or eco without defining how; made up symbols or abuse of legitimate ones; and misleading end of life claims. In some instances ‘evidence’ is produced that relates only to the material and not the finished packaging.

The committee will approach each case objectively – operating within UKAS certification compliance processes and the CMA Green Code. Our aim is to help protect the reputation of the foodservice packaging industry and we will work alongside our members to ensure all packaging claims are fully compliant and in line with the FPA's Code of Practice which can be found here https://www.foodservicepackaging.org.uk/about-us/fpa-member-code-of-practice

Compliance Director  - Anne Sutton

Committee members - John Young & Nikki Grainge

To raise a compliance issue please log into the members section of this website and complete the online form. This can also be requested by emailing compliance@foodservicepackaging.org.uk

 

Charity & Fundraising Committee

Chair: Cara Cottam, Cofresco 

Our current chosen charity is WasteAid. Cara ensures all our events have a fundraising element to them and ensures that whenever we can we raise funds for our charity.

Members
Mark Byrne, FPA
 

FPA Code of Practice and FPA Charter

All FPA members undertake to abide by our Code of Practice and the FPA Packaging Charter. This is the cornerstone of membership and signals that your business operates to the highest of standards.

Code of Practice

Trade Association Forum

The FPA is proud to be a member of the Trade Association Forum - the "association of associations" . The TAF was formed in 1997, originally as part of the CBI (Confederation of British Industry and encourages the development and sharing of best practice among UK trade association and promotes the role of effective trade associations to government, industry and the wider public.

 

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WasteAid – our chosen charity

Our current charity is WasteAid. WasteAid shares waste management and recycling skills in the world’s poorest places. 1 in 3 people worldwide have to dump or burn their waste, causing the spread of disease, polluting the oceans and adding to the climate crisis.

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