Opened the meeting to welcome everyone in attendance
DWH Overview
Membership
Continues to grow and an increase in the number of both Ruby and Diamond Partners for 2025/6
Pillars of Activity summarised by DWH
Networking & Events
Projects – Young People/Future of Packaging/Plate Recycling/Sustainability and Circular Economy/Academy
Education & Training
Additional Benefits
Marketing and Social Media
Events for 2025 – now have a number of annual events
Q1 event – focuses on relevant topics for our industry. 2025 focus was on integrated data
Annual NextGen event – another success in 2025 and plans for 2026 in progress
June 26th Awards Dinner
September Golf Day
November – Diamond Partners Dinner
Additional Benefits
Management training and bespoke development training via FIA’ partner InPD
Level 3 Apprenticeship and Degree Apprenticeship through partners
Marketing and Social media – newsletters cover FIA activities and updates and news on partners
LinkedIn posts and Instagram posts weekly covering activities and news
FIA is a member of the Packaging Federation, FTA Europe and the GPMA on behalf of its members
Packaging Federation for legislation information, lobbying and working together as an industry
FTA Europe for European legislation information, networking on a European level and as an umbrella association for the European country FTAs
Quest – to offer information and help on HR, health and safety and legal issues where required
Projects
Debbie gave an update on the Young People project and the Sustainability project
Matt Bates gave an update on the plate recycling project
Olga Munroe gave an update on the collaborative groups on the future of packaging, with a FIA group planned for 2026
Academy project
DWH gave an update with a short video. Go-live planned for January 2026
Big thank you to the FIA Board Directors for their help and support and particular thank yous to some industry experts who gave up their time and expertise and gave invaluable input – in particular
Our former Chair – Andy Wilson – for his avatar proposal and idea
Stuart Mitchell from Sandon
Cy Davies from Absolute
Tony Rymer from Roberts Mart
Nick Mitchell from Contact
David Muncaster from Heaford
Christian Knightly from Tesa
Leigh Gracie from Smurfit Westrock
John Lewis from Arden Dies
In discussion with EFTA Benelux to use the platform
Plan to expand the modules
2026 plans
New FIA website
Increase visibility and relevance of the Packaging industry
Legislation, Sustainability and Circularity
CEO report was proposed by Matt Bates and seconded by Christian Knightly.
Finance Report – Richard Hulme
RH presented the accounts including various key metrics
The association is in a strong cash position at the end of the fiscal period
The end of the year accounts and financial report were proposed by Stuart Mitchell and seconded by Tim Hilton
Election of the Board
The election of the board for 2025/26 was accepted by all in attendance
The members of the Shadow Board were presented for information and there are places still available
Questions
Lewis Taylor asked if the age limit on the Shadow Board could be increased to 40 from 35
Question on the Academy and whether it is open to non-members. DWH confirmed that it is but the cost is double
