The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) appoints new vice-chair and further strengthens its committees

At an FPA EGM on Friday 14 June, Mark Byrne, executive chair of the association, announced that Anna Turner of Bidfood – who was appointed as interim vice chair in February – has been unanimously voted in by FPA members to take on the vice chair role for an initial three-year term.

Anna retains her position as an FPA director and her place on the FPA board, but will be relinquishing her current role as head of the FPA membership committee. Committee member Mark Durston from Pactiv Evergreen will be stepping up to take on that role.

Commenting on Anna’s appointment Mark Byrne said: “I’m delighted Anna is taking on the vice chair role. She combines a solid understanding of the FPA with a wealth of experience gained from working within the foodservice packaging industry. Her role will involve overseeing strategic initiatives, enhancing member services, and driving the association's objectives forward”.

Anna responded, “I am excited to embark on this journey and to contribute to the continued success of our trade association. In addition to thanking Mark and the rest of the FPA team for their support, and all the FPA members who voted for me, I would also like to acknowledge my employer. Bidfood, for allowing me the time to undertake my FPA work.

“It’s no secret that I’m very passionate about our members. Without them there is no FPA. I will continue to work to ensure members feel the FPA is engaging with them; representing them with government and stakeholders; keeping them informed through our weekly Digest and the new Connect magazine; and providing enjoyable networking opportunities both through our regular events – such as our annual Awards, environment seminar, and golf and activities day – and the new roadshows, member visits and other planned events our chair has outlined within his three-year-plan.

“The future of the FPA is down to our younger members and I’m delighted to see the next generation being appointed onto the board”.

New board appointments include Charlie Dean, managing director of Catering24, and Mike Bristow, group sales and marketing director at Go-Pak UK, who have both been appointed for a 12-month period.

In other committee updates, following the establishment of the new Regulatory and Compliance committee in April, headed up by Anne Sutton, her former position as head of the SAGA committee has been filled by Adrian Pratt of Benders, joined by two additional committee members, Libby Coe from Cofresco and Will Mercer from Coveris.

Working alongside the Regulatory and Compliance Committee, the SAGA Committee reviews and distils activity across the retail and foodservice packaging market to understand what the impact might be on FPA members – informing and advising the membership as appropriate.

The Membership Committee has also been strengthened by the addition of Chris Castle from Conglom, Cem Ucur from Quality Pack, and Rebecca Tear from 4Aces, while the Leisure and Activities Committee welcomes Beth Williams from Vegware – who was also the winner of the 2024 FPA Rising Star Award.

Mark Byrne concludes: “These new appointments underscore the FPA’s commitment to providing advocacy, education, and networking opportunities for our members. The association will continue to lobby governments and stakeholders, uphold industry standards, and facilitate collaboration to address the most pressing challenges facing the foodservice packaging sector now and in the future”.

For a full list of all FPA committee members and to learn more about the association’s work, please visit https:///foodservicepackaging.org.uk/about-us

Notes to editors

A head shot of Anna Turner and further comment from Anna and/or from Mark Byrne is available on request from Louise Holmes, FPA Media & Communications: 07909 728069 or email louise@foodservicepackaging.org.uk

About the Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) https://foodservicepackaging.org.uk

The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) is a leading trade body, representing organisations associated with the foodservice packaging industry. Its membership includes both large global companies and smaller businesses – offering a broad range of foodservice products and services – together with organisations responsible for the waste collection, processing and recycling of foodservice packaging.

The FPA’s mission is to showcase innovation and provide a unified voice to advance and promote the foodservice packaging industry through advocacy and education. The annual FPA Exhibition and Awards celebrate members’ achievements and innovations; FPA Environment Seminars bring together high-level speakers from governments, industry and academia – allowing members to engage directly with policy makers and thought leaders; and the FPA’s weekly Digest disseminates complex issues, translating them into plain English to keep members informed of recent and upcoming legislation; environmental and sustainable issues; and the views and activities of relevant NGOs and other sector bodies.

The FPA upholds the interests of its members when meeting with UK government, the devolved administrations, NGOs and other trade associations. Its executives sit on a number of steering groups, including: the DRS industry working group; the HMRC industry working group for the plastics tax; and the steering group for overall Defra reforms.

The FPA is committed to promoting sustainable practices and responsible stewardship of the environment. All FPA members undertake to comply with the FPA Code of Practice, confirming that their organisations operate to the highest standards.

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