Setting the scene on packaging regulations and programmes from a global & regional perspective - AIP Panel Discussion
Presented by Nerida Kelton, Shaun Lewis, Rob Langford, Rachel Barker and Raewyn Bleakley
Nerida Kelton
Nerida Kelton is the Vice President Sustainability & Save Food, for the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and is the Executive Director for the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP).
She has worked in the Packaging industry for over 25 years, with over two decades working for the AIP; the peak professional body for packaging training and education in Australasia.
As an active lecturer and trainer in the AIP educational portfolio Nerida is committed to helping educate and train packaging professionals in the importance of sustainable and circular packaging design, how to design out waste at the start and believes that it is important to showcase and recognise best practice in these areas. Earlier this year Nerida was awarded her Fellowship for her significant contribution to the packaging industry through training and education across the globe.
Nerida is also very passionate about educating the industry on the important role that packaging plays in minimising Food Waste and how designing Save Food Packaging can make a difference.
Shaun Lewis
Shaun Lewis became a Director in the Waste and Resource Efficiency Business Group at the Ministry for the Environment in 2016. In this role Shaun has led system change and implementation - including compliance monitoring and enforcement of the Waste Minimisation Act; product stewardship to help reduce waste to landfill; developing policy to simplify waste streams; and improving kerbside recycling. Shaun also works with his director colleagues on the wider waste work programme covering legislation, strategy and investments.
Shaun’s career has included working at the Ministry of Fisheries, The Environmental Protection Authority, and various policy and management roles at the Ministry for the Environment. Waste has been central to Shaun's work since the early 2000’s when he ran the Wellington Waste Exchange Programme and was a BusinessCare consultant to local business encouraging cleaner production and resource efficiency.
Rob Langford
Rob Langford is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Packaging Forum, an industry funded organisation focused on delivering integrated circular end-of-life packaging solutions. The Forum currently operates two Government approved voluntary schemes, The Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme, and the Glass Packaging Forum. Rob was previously employed by Pernod Ricard in several roles including Sustainability, Quality and Lean, Rob’s roles supported the development of global group practices to improve the environmental footprint of its products.
Rachel Barker
With a strong technical background in product development, plastics processing and polymers, Rachel Barker has a passion for helping her Members and the wider NZ resource recovery system transition successfully to a circular plastics economy. Rachel’s broad experience with local and international plastics regulations, and various groups across plastics, resource recovery, and manufacturing provides an excellent base for sharing insights with stakeholders.
Raewyn Bleakley
Raewyn Bleakley is an experienced and successful senior leader who has worked across and within government for more than 20 years, 6½ of them in chief executive roles at various industry associations.
Before becoming the CE of the NZ Food and Grocery Council, she was one of five Deputy Chief Executives at Fire and Emergency NZ for three years, where she was responsible for leading the Office of the Chief Executive. Before that she spent two years as General Manager Governance, Communications and Stakeholders, and three years as Region Director Central New Zealand at Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency).
Her experience in industry associations has been extensive. She started her career as New Zealand Regional Manager for the Hospitality Association and was appointed the first National Operations Manager, before taking on the dual roles of Chief Executive of Bus and Coach Association NZ and the Rental Vehicle Association of NZ. In 2012 she was appointed Chief Executive of Business Central, incorporating Wellington Chamber of Commerce.
Raewyn also has extensive governance experience, including directorships on the transport Industry Training Organisation Tranzqual, Motor Industry Training Organisation, New Zealand Chambers of Commerce and Industry Board and Management Committee and Wellington Zoo Trust (where she was also was Deputy Chair and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee).
Raewyn has recently learnt to scuba dive and has had some flying lessons in an electric plane. She enjoys running volunteers for Make-A-Wish.
