OPRL appoints Jude Allan as interim Managing Director

OPRL (On-Pack Recycling Label) has appointed Jude Allan as interim MD, to cover Dr Margaret Bates’ secondment to Defra.

Bates will spend up to two years seconded as Head for the UK Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) for Packaging Scheme Administrator. She welcomed Allan’s appointment, saying: “This is a big win for OPRL. Jude has a unique wealth of knowledge in packaging but, equally importantly, she shares OPRL’s values on sustainability and the principles embedded in our B Corp status. She is also material agnostic, which is an important principle for our organisation.”

Allan is a trustee at IoM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining), where she is chair of the Packaging Group. A materials engineer, whose career has been spent predominantly in the packaging industry, Allan initially worked as a packaging technologist, before spending almost 20 years taking creative designs to market at jonesknowlesritchie, then the leading independent packaging design agency in London.

Allan said: “This is a hugely exciting but challenging time to be involved in packaging. In a sector facing enormous change and a great deal of uncertainty, OPRL really stands out in the market. We know that consumers respond well to OPRL labels, and as producers look for clarity around EPR, they can also rely on the labels for compliance.

“I have been lucky enough to partner with OPRL on IoM3 projects, so I was already aware of the depth of knowledge within the team. As interim MD, I am looking forward to supporting the team in sharing its expertise, to give producers confidence in recyclability claims around packaging products.”

Allan will be supported in her role by Alice Harlock, recently promoted to Director of Technical and Member Services. Alice has played a key role at OPRL since 2014, following nine years at WRAP, where she worked on consumer communications such as Recycle Now.

Bates concluded: “The team at OPRL is second to none, and Jude’s experience in packaging design, combined with her knowledge of materials and packaging reform, provide the ideal skills to take the organisation forward. I am confident that OPRL will be in the best of hands until my return.”

Ends

Editors notes

• OPRL Ltd operates the UK-wide On-Pack Recycling Label scheme used by over 750 member companies and charities. It is the leading independent expert in packaging recyclability, providing recycling and refill labels – and advice – to 95 per cent of the UK groceries market.

• OPRL is an independent, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, established to help retailers and brands engage their customers in recycling.

• The company’s guarantors span ACE UK, Alupro, British Glass, CPI, INCPEN, LARAC, MPMA and RECOUP.

• OPRL was launched in 2009, as a not-for-profit limited by guarantee as part of the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The move followed work between BRC, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and their leading members, and WRAP. The aim was to devise a labelling system that would engage consumers with recycling, as local authorities started to roll out basic services. Three of the founding directors are still on our board.