Vegware, the Edinburgh-based packaging company, is delighted to welcome Helen Mathieson as its new Managing Director.
Helen joined Vegware in 2018 as Supply Chain and Operations Director, overseeing all aspects of products from ideation and manufacture through to logistics and client services. Prior to this she was Operations Director at fashion brand Lyle and Scott. Originally from Yorkshire, she started her career in FMCG sales as an Account Manager at Nestlé.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead Vegware in its next phase of growth. I have been lucky to spend a great four years working alongside the company’s founder Joe Frankel, and I’m proud to be taking over the reins of this global brand. We have a fantastic team, exceptionally strong client relationships, and a lot of exciting innovations for 2023.”
Working alongside Helen, Vegware’s new leadership team comprises Lucy Frankel, Environmental and Communications Director, Sales Director Dave Smith, Commercial Director Oliver Elsner and Finance Director Llinos Appleford.
After more than 15 years building Vegware into a globally recognised packaging brand, founder Joe Frankel has stepped down confident that the company is in excellent hands.
Vegware projects for 2023
2022 key product launches included Vegware’s award-winning paper cutlery, as well as Nourish moulded fibre takeaway boxes which are certified for home or industrial composting. As Wales plans to ban conventional plastic lids, 2023 will see further client choice with new Vegware hot cup lids made from paper or moulded fibre. In addition, Vegware is developing its offering for food retailers and manufacturers with new heat-sealable lidding solutions to fit PLA or fibre bases.
Environmental expertise
Vegware is renowned for its environmental expertise, helping clients set up new waste streams getting food-contaminated disposables to commercial composting. In addition to partnerships with waste collectors around the UK, Close the Loop is Vegware’s own waste composting service for businesses in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife, Dundee and surrounding areas. With Extended Producer Responsibility policies such as Mandatory Takeback in sharp focus, Vegware is seeing a lot of interest in its environmental support.
2023 will see continued engagement with UKRI-funded research project the Compostable Coalition UK. This entails Vegware working closely with behaviour change experts from the University of Sheffield and Hubbub, London waste collector Recorra and in-vessel composting facility EnVar, to help diners choose the right bin for compostable packaging.
Global growth
Vegware makes over 500 foodservice catering disposables made from plant-based materials, including drinks cups, takeaway food containers and cutlery.
Vegware’s entire range is designed for commercial composting, and many are made from materials certified as suitable for recycling with card if dry and clean.
Named in 2021 as Scotland’s fastest-growing exporter by the Sunday Times, Vegware sells to over 80 countries worldwide. Vegware was established in Edinburgh in 2006, and has further operational bases in the USA, Australia and Hong Kong, with distribution throughout Europe, the Middle East and Caribbean.
In August 2021, Vegware joined Novolex®, a leading international food and industrial packaging company based in the U.S.