INCPEN appoints new Chairman

David Baker, Commercial Director at RPC Promens Industrial has been appointed with immediate effect as Chairman of INCPEN, The Industry Council for research on Packaging and the Environment.  He has more than 30 years’ experience in the metal and plastics sector.

David says: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of INCPEN Chair. For many years INCPEN has brought much needed common sense to the environmental debate around packaging, always based on solid scientific fact and I very much look forward to working with the INCPEN team.”

David takes up the role as Ian Blythe steps down after 6 years.  Ian (former Head of CSR for Boots UK) has a new role within Walgreens Boots Alliance as Head of CSR – Global Wholesale and International Retail. Baker joined RPC Group just prior to the MBO that formed the company in 1991. He held various senior positions in RPC’s blow moulding business before assuming responsibility for RPC’s UK thermoforming operation in 2010.  In May 2015 he was appointed Commercial Director of the newly formed RPC Promens division. Additionally, David has responsibility for RPC’s sustainability activities.

Director Jane Bickerstaffe says: “We are delighted that David has agreed to step into the role and we hope that the next few years will not be as busy and full of major changes to our industry as the past six. We have been very fortunate to have Ian’s calm, experienced and measured steer during some challenging times and we are confident that David will lead us with just as much vigour.”

Given the broad membership of INCPEN, across all sectors involved in the packaging chain, it is appropriate that the position of Chairman has rotated through the supply chain:  previous chairs represented packaging manufacturer Rexam (Anders Linde); brand Coca-Cola (Peter Stokes) and retailer Boots UK (Ian Blythe).

INCPEN – The Industry Council for research on Packaging and the Environment is a research organisation established in 1974 to bring together manufacturers and retailers from across the supply chain to promote responsible packaging for resource-efficient supply chains.

Recent research includes guidance on packaging for multi-channel delivery systems, a survey of food waste from retail depot to checkout and analyses of litter composition in England and Scotland.