OPRL has recruited two new Non-Executive Directors to its Board as it gears up to make the most of the opportunities presented by EPR and other packaging reforms. The two new appointees, who join the Board with immediate effect, are Peter Maddox, formerly Director at WRAP, and James Piper, previously CEO and now on the Board of Ecosurety.
Following an open competition, which attracted a very large response from across and beyond the packaging and resources sectors, the Board have confirmed the appointments of the two new independent non-executives in time to contribute to strategic planning as the UK Governments’ reveal their packaging reform plans following last year’s consultations. OPRL Limited, which operates the world renowned voluntary recycling labelling scheme is preparing for the move to mandatory labelling in 2026, and looking at how it can support its 730 members in preparing for wider reforms including EPR and DRS.
Announcing the appointments, Jane Bevis, Executive Chair of OPRL, said: “We already benefit from the dedication and talents of NEDs from a wide range of backgrounds, and with the addition of James and Peter to the Board we’re now in an excellent position to build our strategy to transition into the mandatory labelling regime. The experience and expertise of both will stand us in very good stead, Peter from his time at WRAP building the strategy to reposition the organisation against a changing political and funding landscape, and James from his experiences growing and leading Ecosurety as a dynamic compliance scheme offering a clearly differentiated and innovative proposition.”
“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome them both to the Board as we meet this week to plan for the next phase in our development as an organisation championing circularity and resource efficiency now that the Government’s plans are becoming clearer.”
Peter Maddox said: “After many years working in partnership with the whole supply chain to make packaging more circular and sustainable, I am delighted to have the chance to continue my involvement by joining the board of OPRL. I am looking forward to shaping the next step of OPRL’s journey and to building an ambitious strategy that supports and grows its membership in a time of significant regulatory change.”
James Piper commented: “I‘m absolutely thrilled to join OPRL’s Board at this crucial time in their journey. As someone who has spent over a decade creating innovative products within changing legislation and developing a rapidly growing company, I am driven to help the organisation move and learn fast within the evolving world of waste. Combine this drive with my passion to help consumers recycle with increased knowledge and expertise, and my enthusiasm for the role only increases. I look forward to joining this growing team and helping OPRL adapt to the exciting changes ahead.”
Phillip Ward, Senior Independent Director at OPRL Ltd, who led the recruitment, observed: “We were very pleased with the response to our open competition which gave us an exceptional field of candidates. In appointing James and Peter, we continue to gather the right skills and experience from people who share our organisational values and our passion in delivering our purpose – to collaborate across the packaging cycle to drive circularity and a transformation in resource efficiency in packaging. Their track records speak for themselves and we look forward eagerly to working with them.”