James Cropper, the 180-year-old British manufacturer and global leader in advanced materials and paper products, is celebrating the achievements of two of its rising stars at the Future Trailblazer Awards 2026, announced today at Packaging Innovations & Empack.
Jordan Scott, Head of Marketing, won the Brand Visionary award, while Genevieve Dowson, Senior Technical Specialist, received a Highly Commended certificate in the Operational Excellence category. The awards, presented on the Circular Economy Stage at Birmingham’s NEC, recognise young professionals driving innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence across the packaging industry.
Jordan Scott has been recognised for her outstanding creativity in brand packaging and visual storytelling. Since joining James Cropper in 2021, she has led the launch of Coloursource™, setting new standards for coloured paper while championing sustainable, design-led solutions. She also spearheaded high-profile initiatives such as Message in a Wrap with paper artist Nathan Ward, blending strategic marketing with imaginative design and demonstrating how paper and moulded fibre can elevate responsible packaging. Through cross-industry partnerships, rebrand leadership, and digital innovation, Jordan consistently drives creativity, collaboration, and the future of UK packaging.
Jordan said: “In today’s market, collaboration is key to success, and within this role, I have been given the freedom to explore some fantastic and powerful opportunities, allowing us to effectively communicate our world-class capabilities and creativity. Over the last few years, I have had the privilege of playing a small role in many exciting projects and partnerships. It never ceases to amaze me how far our product truly reaches and what possibilities this opens for us.”
Genevieve Dowson’s Highly Commended award acknowledges her rapid impact across technical, operational, and product development projects. Since joining James Cropper in January 2025, she has applied hands-on expertise—from troubleshooting machinery to supporting the launch of the Coloursource™ range—while collaborating across teams to deliver innovative, sustainable, and design-led solutions. Her attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to turn complex challenges into successful outcomes have strengthened processes, improved product quality, and elevated the overall customer experience at James Cropper.
Genevieve said: “Every day I come into work at James Cropper, I’m inspired by everyone I meet because there’s a level of passion surrounding you every day. It’s an unbeatable environment, surrounded by supportive and hardworking individuals who are always willing to help and share their expertise. The culture here is something special, and being part of a team that blends heritage with innovation makes it a truly great place to work.”
Paul Barber, Managing Director at James Cropper Paper & Packaging, commented:
“We are immensely proud of Jordan and Genevieve. Jordan’s award-winning creativity and Genevieve’s Highly Commended recognition reflect the talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit that drive our business forward.”
Launched in partnership with the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3), the Future Trailblazer Awards aim to support the next generation of packaging leaders. From 78 initial nominees, including Jordan Scott and Genevieve Scullion, 26 finalists were selected across seven categories. A distinguished panel of industry experts determined winners and commendations.
To learn more about James Cropper and its activities, please visit https://jamescropper.com/.