The FPA has an executive chair elected by the members, a governing board, an executive director appointed by the board, and committees covering key areas with committee heads who report to the board.
Our board
Our success is powered by a dedicated team who bring passion, expertise, and a collaborative spirit to the FPA.
Anna has worked 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, where her 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 since 2013, focusing on supporting the travel and leisure industry.
Anna is an FPA board director, and having served as vice-chair is currently the interim FPA executive chair.
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 and/or chaired many hospitality and packaging industry events.
Having graduated from University of Surrey with a BSc Honours degree, Anne Sutton has since gained over 40-years of international experience at VP and director level in the retail industry, in paper and plastic packaging manufacture and innovation, and in UK, EU and global government affairs and legislation.
Recently retired from industry, Anne is now the FPA's compliance director and heads up the FPA Regulatory and Compliance Committee.
Anne is also an FPA board member, a board member of the Packaging Federation, and president of 360° Foodservice Europe.
Charlie Dean is the MD of Catering24 Ltd and has been in the packaging industry since 2005. Catering24 Ltd (formally known as Midland Catering Supplies and Magenta UK) has been a member of the FPA for over 20 years.
As a dedicated board member of the FPA, Charlie is deeply invested in ensuring a secure and sustainable future for the organisation. She is passionate about fostering an environment where future generations can actively participate in FPA events and initiatives, leaving a positive and lasting impact on the industry.
Our committee structure ensures members are represented at every level. This enables a broad section of members to participate in the running of the association. It would be impossible for the FPA to exist were it not for the dedication of the many industry professionals who give their time freely to sit on one of the FPA's committees.
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.
Compliance director and committee head:
Anne Sutton
Committee members:
John Young
Nikki Grainge
To raise a compliance issue please logn to the members section and complete the online form. Any other compliance queries should be emailed to compliance@foodservicepackaging.org.uk
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.
The FPA's 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.
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.
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.
The Leisure and Activities Committee organises and stages the annual golf and activities day, where members and their guests enjoy an excellent day of sport (in whatever form!) and networking.
Committee members:
Beth Williams, Vegware
Jim Harris, Food2Go
Interested in getting involved?
If your organisation is an FPA member and you have skills and experience that fit with one of our committees, why not get in touch with the relevant committee head to find out more. Just click on the relevant tile for contact details.
