British master papermaker James Cropper Paper & Packaging has announced the appointment of Mickael Minot as Brand Owner Director, a newly created role that positions the company for accelerated growth in the luxury packaging sector.
With over 16 years of international experience and an MBA from EDHEC Business School, Mickael has collaborated with leading fashion, beauty, and spirits brands across 80 markets, delivering packaging solutions that marry aesthetics, performance, and environmental integrity. Mickael, based in Boulogne-Billancourt, will spearhead James Cropper’s global brand-owner partnerships, guiding multidisciplinary teams to deliver bold colour, market-leading craft, and sustainable innovation at scale.
“James Cropper has been a benchmark for luxury packaging throughout my career,” says Mickael. “When this opportunity arose, it immediately felt like the perfect next chapter. Paper is unique as a luxury material because it engages two of our primary senses - sight and touch. The moment your hand feels soft, carefully crafted paper, the luxury experience has already begun.”
Mickael made his first customer-facing appearance for the company at Luxe Pack Paris, held this year at the historic Carrousel du Louvre, where he introduced James Cropper’s newest high-end material, Rydal Eco. This next-generation uncoated, 100% recycled fibre cartonboard delivers uncompromising sustainability, flawless performance, and tactile beauty.
James Cropper has engineered hundreds of thousands of bespoke colour formulations. This achievement showcases the scale, precision, and creative depth of one of the UK’s most advanced Colour Labs. The company continues to offer both tailored and ready-to-use colour solutions, backed by decades of expertise and state-of-the-art capability. Today, James Cropper is trusted by the most exacting names in luxury to match their brand colours with precision.
“Colour expertise is at the heart of what we do,” he adds. “Our Colour Lab has developed hundreds of thousands of unique colour formulations. When it comes to iconic colours, close enough simply isn’t. Our clients, some of the world’s most renowned luxury brands, demand precision – a red that’s unmistakably theirs, not merely almost.”
Prior to joining James Cropper, Mickael held senior roles across Europe and Asia, including Global Sales Manager at Toly Products and Senior Key Account Manager at JUJIN New York, where he specialised in luxury packaging for fashion, beauty, and spirits brands. He also spent seven years in Tokyo co-founding and managing Eurojapan, developing services for foreign companies and expanding export markets. This diverse background equips him with a unique international perspective and deep expertise in sustainable, design-led packaging solutions.
Paul Barber, Managing Director of James Cropper Paper & Packaging, said: “Mickael combines deep technical knowledge with a true passion for design-led sustainability. His appointment reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class service to brand owners as we scale transformative innovations like CupCycling® and Fibre Blend Upcycled Technology.”
With Mickael at the helm of brand-owner partnerships, James Cropper is poised to deepen collaborations that bring bespoke, sustainable, and colour-rich packaging solutions to life. Brands and converters seeking to combine luxury craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation and environmental responsibility are invited to connect with James Cropper to explore the possibilities.