The winners of the Future Trailblazers programme for 2026 were announced today 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 individuals making significant contributions 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 stars. From 78 initial nominees, 26 finalists 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 Director at Suntory; Alison Bramfitt, Head of Packaging at Nestlé; Martin Kersh, Co-CEO at The Packaging Federation; Peter Macqueen, Associate Head at Sheffield Hallam University; 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 commended certificate.
The Packaging MVP: Yaseed Chaumoo from GreyParrot AI, honoured for outstanding all-round contribution to packaging innovation. Lucy Langley from Nestlé received a highly commended certificate.
Operational Excellence: Dhruvi Thakkar from Sleeve Office Ltd, celebrated for transforming operational processes and driving efficiency. Genevieve Dowson from James Cropper and Alice Kirkham from Nestlé both received highly commended certificates.
Sustainable First Thinking: Jayne Cunningham from New England Seafoods, awarded for pioneering contributions to sustainable packaging and environmental leadership. David Oriazowan from Convatec received a highly commended certificate.
Design for the Future: Jess Morgan-Butler from Carlton Packaging, recognised for innovative and forward-focused approaches to packaging design. Meg Styles from Halfords and Richard Harlow from Elddir both received highly commended certificates.
Brand Visionary: Jordan Scott from James Cropper, honoured for exceptional creativity in brand packaging and visual storytelling. Joshua Webster from Croxsons received a highly commended certificate.
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 certificate.
Reflecting on this year's winners, Jude Allan, Managing Director at OPRL and Chair of IOM3, said: "The calibre of talent, innovation, and dedication we've seen this year is truly exceptional, and made our task as judges incredibly tough. What strikes me most is how these young professionals are already making tangible impacts in their organisations, whether that's eliminating waste, revolutionising processes, or championing meaningful sustainability. They're not waiting for permission to lead; they're already doing it. The Future Trailblazers programme gives us the opportunity to shine a spotlight on these rising stars and ensure they have the support and recognition they deserve as they continue to shape our industry's future."
Casey McHugh, Conference & Community Manager – UK & Global at Easyfairs, said: “The Future Trailblazers Programme exemplifies 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 finalists gives me tremendous confidence in 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 efficient, environmentally conscious, and innovative future.
Nominations for the Future Trailblazers initiative are free and open to anyone within the first ten years of their packaging career.
To register interest for 2027, visit http://www.packagingbirmingham.com/future-trailblazer.