Ian Bates

REEL help brands, retailers and events grow revenue, accelerate service, and deliver measurable ESG impact through reusable and widely recycled fibre-based ambient media packaging.

BLU8 provides consulting services to the tissue, paper and fibre packaging sectors.

Fibrepac will be the largest producer of miscanthus (‘Elephant Grass’) moulded fibre packaging in the UK. First factory will be operational in 2026. www.fibrepac.com

Two Sides is a global, not-for-profit organisation with more than 600 members, which promotes the attractiveness and sustainability of paper, paper packaging and tissue products. Our campaigns reassure brands and consumers that paper is a natural and regenerative product, made from sustainable and renewable materials which are widely recycled. Two Sides provides tools, resources, and information, which you can use to promote the positive, sustainable attributes of your organisation's products. Everything is personalised and adaptable for your own communications. www.twosides.info www.lovepaper.org

Lesspack rethink clients’ packaging using a regenerative, holistic approach reducing commercial, environmental and social impacts. lesspack.com

Helping turn your ideas into reality.

Now called 'More from Less'' is a packaging optimisation consultancy with offices in Bishops Stortford, Hong Kong, Chicago and Delhi. Founded in 2010 this rapidly growing business helps retail groups and brand owners reduce packaging waste and increase value through better packaging design. It's unbiased positioning and ability to measure and analyse packaging commercially and environmentally provide it with a competitive advantage.

PortaBrands bring new packaging innovations to market. Operating within the food service, event and retail sectors. Since 2005 the business has brought many new market-changing packaging designs. Award-winning products include PortaBottle® , PortaDrink® and PortaSnack®, which can be seen in use at many venues across the UK and parts of Europe.

CRP was acquired by Smurfit Kappa Packaging in 2013. It has roots in supplying reel-fed flexographic print to the corrugated packaging industry. It later diversified into box, carton and display design and manufacture from its three modern factories in Corby. I played a major role in CRP’s expansion of two of its businesses, whilst implementing an ongoing restructuring and rebranding of the Group. The business turned over under £10 million when I joined and by the time I left it was more profitable and turned over nearly £15 million.

AssiDomän was a Swedish owned plc with sales in forestry, paper and packaging products. Joining AssiDomän as their youngest UK director, I was responsible for £16 million of decorative corrugated carton sales and for marketing, graphic, structural design, technical and product development.