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