London Packaging Week unveils judging panel for 2025 Innovation Awards

London Packaging Week unveils judging panel for 2025 Innovation Awards

Events

The 2025 Innovation Awards judging panel brings together 18 top experts from leading global brands, sustainability organisations, and packaging innovators to assess and celebrate the most groundbreaking solutions.

London Packaging Week has unveiled its 18-member judging panel for the 2025 Innovation Awards, featuring senior figures from global brands, industry bodies, and sustainability pioneers. With expertise spanning luxury, FMCG, sustainability, and regulatory affairs, the panel will assess entries based on innovation, functionality, sustainability, and impact.

Representing some of the world's leading consumer brands, Michael Carroll from Nestlé, Michelle Atkinson from Diageo, Nikki Grainge from Marks & Spencer, Saul Johnstone from Bacardi, Simon Elmer from William Grant & Sons, Alfredo Ruiz Pose from Glenmorangie, and Lena Danielsson from Pernod Ricard bring their expertise in packaging innovation, premium product design, and sustainable material development. Lena Danielsson, Break Through Innovation Director at Pernod Ricard, along with Michael Carroll from Nestlé and Michelle Atkinson from Diageo, play a crucial role in leading the future of packaging for their respective global brands.

Sue Berry will join them from Molton Brown, Lisa Meade from Kingfisher Plc, and Chris Allinson from Diageo, all with extensive experience creating innovative and commercially viable packaging solutions.

Sustainability and advocacy will play a crucial role in this year's awards, with Victoria Brownlie from the British Beauty Council and Cat Hay from the Food & Drink Federation ensuring regulatory and environmental considerations remain at the forefront. Additionally, Eva Lagarde, founder of re-sources.co, and Raphael Ferri, global packaging development expert, will contribute their insights into sustainable innovation and the future of packaging materials.

Strategic expertise is further strengthened by Paul Jenkins, founder of ThePackHub, and Tanguy Pellen from Skarbek Associates, who bring a deep understanding of market trends, consumer engagement, and supply chain challenges. Cain Hayward-Hughes from Suntory Global Spirits and Christelle Anya from Easyfairs will offer their expertise in creative design and packaging's evolving role in brand storytelling.

Anya said: We have assembled an exceptional group of experts from across the packaging industry. Their combined knowledge of sustainability, design, and market trends will ensure we recognise the most forward-thinking innovations shaping the future of packaging.

The 2024 Innovation Awards celebrated the most groundbreaking advancements in packaging, with the winners standing out from a competitive field of over 50 entries. Among the highlights were Bowmore's stunning whisky decanter, which combined exceptional craftsmanship with innovative materials, and Highland Park's creative flint glass decanter, which pushed the boundaries of premium spirits packaging. Sustainability was a major focus, with Altra's revolutionary paper-based box made from a single sheet of paper demonstrating a commitment to minimal waste and Sprite's label-free 'naked' bottle setting a new standard for recyclability by eliminating unnecessary packaging elements. These innovative designs impressed the judges and reflected the industry's drive to challenge conventions and create more sustainable, forward-thinking solutions.

For the 2025 Innovation Awards, two additional categories, Sustainable Packaging and Consumer Pack, have been introduced to further celebrate creativity and sustainability across the packaging sector.

Entries for the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards close on 25 April, with judging taking place on 26 June. The winners will be announced at the London Packaging Week showcase on 15 & 16 October at the Excel Centre in London.

Latest Packaging News

What Washington’s new EPR law means for brands, recyclers, and policymakers
Business

What Washington’s new EPR law means for brands, recyclers, and policymakers

On 17 May 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5284, officially known as the Recycling...
Unlocking small-batch agility: Kutudeposu chooses Aopack BM2508 box maker
Supplier News

Unlocking small-batch agility: Kutudeposu chooses Aopack BM2508 box maker

Confronted with rising demand for specialised, small-batch packaging, Turkish innovator Kutudeposu...
Snack Connection enhances efficiency with the case packer from Syntegon
Supplier News

Snack Connection enhances efficiency with the case packer from Syntegon

Snack Connection, a leading Netherlands-based manufacturer of nuts, kernels, and seeds, has...
Costco to sell planters made from recycled cartons in collaboration with Tetra Pak & Keter
Supplier News

Costco to sell planters made from recycled cartons in collaboration with Tetra Pak & Keter

Tetra Pak and Keter have announced a new partnership with the launch of Cube Planters made out of...
Reloop report finds 54% less beach litter in countries with DRS
Sustainability

Reloop report finds 54% less beach litter in countries with DRS

Reloop has released its latest report, Littered with Evidence: Proof that Deposit Return Systems...