NEWS T
FUTURE TRAILBLAZERS 2026 WINNERS CROWNED AT PACKAGING INNOVATIONS & EMPACK
he winners of the Future Trailblazers programme for 2026 were announced at Packaging Innovations & Empack, celebrating exceptional young professionals who are driving the
future of the packaging industry. The hotly anticipated awards ceremony
on Wednesday, 11 February, recognised to innovation, sustainability and operational excellence across the packaging supply chain. In partnership with the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), the awards aim to support and nurture the industry’s rising were selected across seven categories. Winners were chosen by a distinguished panel of industry leaders including Jude Allan, Managing Director at OPRL and Chair of IOM3; Greg Bentley, EU Packaging Packaging at Nestlé; Martin Kersh, Co-CEO at The Packaging Federation; Peter Macqueen, Jo Stephenson, Managing Director of Think B2B Marketing; and Emma Verkaik, CEO at BCMPA.
The 2026 Future Trailblazers winners are: Production Delivery: Isobel Duignan
from Nestlé, recognised for excellence in operational execution and packaging delivery. William Majoram from Nestlé received a highly The Packaging MVP: Yaseed Chaumoo from
GreyParrot AI, honoured for outstanding all- round contribution to packaging innovation. Lucy Langley from Nestlé received a highly
Operational Excellence: Dhruvi Thakkar from
Genevieve Dowson from James Cropper and Alice Kirkham from Nestlé both received highly Sustainable First Thinking: Jayne Cunningham from New England Seafoods, awarded for pioneering contributions to sustainable packaging and environmental leadership. David Oriazowan from Convatec Design for the Future: Jess Morgan-Butler
from Carlton Packaging, recognised for innovative and forward-focused approaches to Brand Visionary: Jordan Scott from James
Cropper, honoured for exceptional creativity in brand packaging and visual storytelling. Joshua Webster from Croxsons received a Circularity Champion: Olivia Tomlinson from
Nestlé, celebrated for outstanding dedication to circular economy principles and waste reduction. Nicola Bartlett from Samworth Brothers received a highly commended Manager – UK & Global at Easyfairs, said: “The everything we believe in at Easyfairs, fostering community, celebrating innovation, and investing in the future of the industries we serve. By providing a platform to recognise and elevate their achievements, we’re not only honouring individual excellence but
also sending a powerful message to the next generation that packaging is a dynamic, innovative, and rewarding career path. We’re immensely proud to champion these rising stars alongside IOM3 and our industry partners.” Jo Stephenson, Managing Director at Think B2B Marketing, added: “At a pivotal moment for the packaging industry, when we’re navigating complex regulatory changes and accelerating sustainability demands, the strength of our talent pipeline has never been more critical. These Future Trailblazers represent exactly the level of forward- thinking professionals we need to drive the industry forward. It’s essential that we put our young talent front and centre, celebrate their achievements, and create pathways for them to lead. The breadth and depth of skills demonstrated by this year’s winners and the future of packaging. If we want to attract the next generation into our sector, we need to show them the exciting, innovative, and impactful careers that are possible, and these Trailblazers are the perfect ambassadors for that message.” The Future Trailblazers programme highlights the next generation of leaders driving innovation and sustainability in packaging. As the industry evolves, these winners are paving the way for a more innovative future. Nominations for the Future Trailblazers initiative are free and open to anyone within
| FEBRUARY 2026
9
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
