Graham Backhouse, (outgoing) BPIF Labels General Manager:
I am retiring completely on the 31st of March ending my five-year association with BPIF Labels and forty-five years working in the UK label industry. My thanks go to all those who have supported both me and BPIF Labels during that period, it is very much appreciated. The circumstances of the last two years have made it difficult to engage in our normal events programme, but I am pleased that BPIF Labels will be resuming normal activities during 2022.
It is sometimes difficult to demonstrate to members and prospective members the benefits of being a member of a trade association, but I am proud of the support that the BPIF has given its members in steering their way through the HR, Legal and best practice difficulties of the last two years. At BPIF Labels we recognised at a very early stage the challenges that the new Plastic Packaging Tax would bring to the industry and engaged in the consultation process from the outset. An enormous amount of effort has been put into working with and challenging HMRC about the implementation of the tax across our industry and we continue to work with UK label industry stakeholders to establish a common approach to implementing the tax and develop best practices. The work done on this has demonstrated clear value in being a BPIF Labels member.
I am delighted to be able to announce that Simon Mitchell will be taking over my role as General Manager, BPIF Labels. Simon has been a long-standing supporter of BPIF Labels and the events we have held, many of you will know him from his days as MD at IST. I am confident that Simon will bring fresh ideas to the association, and I hope you will all give him your full support over the coming years.
Simon Mitchell, (incoming) BPIF Labels General Manager:
I am delighted to be joining BPIF Labels as General Manager and look forward to further developing the special interest group. Having spent the last 20 years within the UK label market, the role at the BPIF fits very nicely with my experience and network of the sector, which I hope to put into action adding value to the federation.