Tuesday 31 March - Wednesday 1 April 2026, Oxford Belfry Hotel, OX9 2JW
Collaboration and innovation in challenging market conditions were among the key outputs from this month’s BCMPA 2026 Conference, which was held at the Oxford Belfry.
Over 110 delegates and sponsors heard from a diverse range of speakers addressing the economic outlook, technology, packaging reforms and employee engagement.
The presentations and panel discussions aimed to help co-packers and manufacturers understand the ever-changing business and legislative landscape. The opportunity to discuss these topics, and more, began the evening before with a networking dinner held at the venue.
BCMPA CEO Emma Verkaik said: “It was encouraging to see so many engaged delegates listening to our highly knowledgeable line-up of speakers. One of the roles of the BCMPA is to flag these important subjects to members, allowing them to be part of the dialogue that is shaping the future of the contract manufacturing, packing & fulfilment industry.
“We are stronger together and I can see that the members are embracing the positives and the learnings that can be found from industry collaboration.”
Highlights included a presentation on the state of the economy by Professor Trevor Williams, former Chief Economist for Lloyds Bank, who outlined the challenges facing businesses due to the conflict in the Middle East. In addition, Esther Carter, Chief Strategy Officer at Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme administrator PackUK, updated the conference on how the government’s flagship packaging reforms were progressing, revealing that EPR’s initial payments across the four nations totalled £1.4billion.
In addition, lead Conference sponsor Nulogy hosted a discussion panel titled ‘Optimising quality and traceability in Contract Packing’. Nulogy CCO Europe Josephine Coombe was joined by David Loughlin, Senior Director Packaging Solutions at DHL Supply Chain, and Stephen Nicholls, Managing Director at Complete Co-Packing Services.
BCMPA members were impressed with the breadth of content and quality of the speaker programme:
"The 2026 BCMPA Conference was excellent – a well-located venue, excellent food and a cracking, thought provoking, informative programme.
"Being an Associate Member means I can network and learn from the best in the industry, whilst emerging myself in the latest trends."
James Coull, Wallace Hind
_____
"The BCMPA Conference was an excellent event, bringing together contract packers, manufacturers, fulfilment specialists and technology partners to discuss the operational challenges and opportunities shaping our industry. It was especially encouraging to see such strong engagement around quality, traceability and digitalisation, which are becoming ever more important as businesses look to build agility, resilience and confidence across their operations.
“As an Associate Member, Nulogy sees real value in being part of the BCMPA community, not only through the opportunity to share insight from the conference platform, but also by having meaningful conversations with members, looking at how they can strengthen performance, improve visibility and support their customers more effectively."
Josephine Coombe, CCO Europe, Nulogy
_____
"A big thank you to Emma Verkaik and the team at the BCMPA for bringing together such a strong, thought-provoking line-up of speakers and delivering a really well-organised event. It genuinely felt like time well spent."
Jayne Tarrant, MD, Glowcroft
_____
"Another year, another fantastic conference hosted by the BCMPA. The programme was packed with insightful, engaging, and thought-provoking speakers, and the opportunity to connect with peers and fellow members made it especially valuable.
“In uncertain times, coming together as a community, under the leadership of Emma and the BCMPA, to share knowledge and experiences is more important than ever, helping us support one another and continue to grow as an industry."
Laura Ball, Business Development Director, PHL Group
_____
"What really stood out for me at the BCMPA conference was a shift in mindset – a fantastic bunch of speakers all shining a light towards the importance the co-packing partners bring brands. At Celeritas, we believe it’s no longer good enough to just execute ideas, we must share the risks and shift to a partner mindset so that both our clients and networks reap the awards together – enabling innovation to happen at speed."
Stefan Casey, Commercial & Innovation Director, Celeritas Co-Packing Services
_____
"It was an absolute pleasure to attend my first BCMPA conference. The day was packed with incredible speakers covering important topics such as automation, sustainable packaging and digitalisation – all of which are such important topics in the co-packing and manufacturing world!
“Thank you to the BCMPA for organising another excellent event and bringing together so many great people from across our industry."
Sophie Thomas, Business Development Manager, Complete Co-packing Services
_____
"The range of topics covered was excellent, spanning global and national perspectives, as well as detailed technical sessions. Speakers provided valuable insight into key industry topics such as EPR, automation and AI, and it was clear the event brought together a real pool of experts from across the sector.
“Overall, it was a valuable event with great insight, strong networking opportunities, and content that was both relevant and forward-looking. I would highly recommend the conference to others in the industry."
Phil Walker, Technical Director, Culina IPS
_____
"I had an absorbing day at the BCMPA 2026 conference. The agenda was packed and thought-provoking with lots of excellent contributors. It was a great opportunity to exchange thoughts with people from the industry."
Gavin Withers, Director, Keswick Enterprise
_____
With thanks to our sponsors:
A full Conference programme was delivered on Wednesday 1st April, with an informal, optional overnight networking dinner on the 31st March.
The BCMPA Conference is designed to allow BCMPA Members and Non-Members and professionals involved in the world of Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment & Logistics a place to network and connect whilst learning more about the future trends and topics in our industry.
This was a chance to:
- Connect with industry professionals
- Discover insights on key sector topics
- Reunite with colleagues and old friends
What members said about our last Conference:
"Great topics – very relevant to the challenges in the industry today. Really insightful and thought-provoking content"
"Well organised – great networking"
"Good to see Brands, Retailers and Service Providers giving their POV on hot topics and upcoming topics"
Speakers announced included:
Professor Trevor Williams, Global Economist – ex Lloyds Bank
Back by popular demand Professor Trevor William will deliver his views on the economic challenges that UK Business currently faces and the growing impact of global instability for the future. The outlook includes an economic overview for 2026 to 2028, covering growth, inflation, interest rates, job markets, and investment trends, with practical takeaways for BCMPA members.
In this context, the UK has its own issues: low productivity, weak investment, political uncertainty, and more pressure on SMEs. The new government’s manifesto gives some direction, but it’s unclear if it will solve the country’s deeper problems. Trevor's tell it how it is style will make for interesting listening.
–––––
Professor Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer – MTC
"The potential of robot automation for the contract manufacturing & packing sector"
An update on robot automation within UK manufacturing, covering robots, cobots and AI, including the key trends and challenges. Mike Wilson has over 40 years of experience in the application of automation to manufacturing across a broad range of industry sectors and is widely recognised as one of the leading authorities on the application of robot systems in the UK.
He was awarded ‘The Manufacturer Top 100’ status as one of the top 100 people in UK manufacturing in 2018. He is also Visiting Professor of Robotics & Automation at Loughborough University, Chair of the UK Automation Forum, Director of the Manufacturing Technologies Association, Council member of the British Automation and Robot Association and has previously been Chairman of the International Federation of Robotics.
–––––
Victoria Speight, Founder Cyberfit
"Knowledge is Important, Action is Critical – is your company safe from Cyber Attack?"
Did you know that there are 23,506 known cyber-attacks in UK every day, 43% of organisations can identify a breach, 85% of these attacks come through your email environment. In this presentation Victoria Speight draws upon years of experience protecting organisations and high net worth individuals sharing critical insight and expertise into the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.
Victorias track record in this space includes - National Cyber Security Centre Mentor, Charity Trustee, International Accredited Professional Coach, Stem Ambassador, Techfirst Ambassador, Cyber Essentials Auditor, Iasme Cyber Assurance Auditor, ISO27001 implementer and auditor.
–––––
Phil Chadwick – Senior Account Manager at Nielsen McAllister
Phil Chadwick will present the pEPR Speaker sessions titled:
"pEPR and labelling – where are we today?"
Philip Chadwick is Senior Account Manager at Nielsen McAllister, providing PR and comms for a raft of packaging clients. He joined the agency in 2025 and was previously Editor of Packaging News. Phil was also chair of judges for the UK Packaging Awards for eight years. Prior to Packaging News, he worked on the news and features desks at PrintWeek.
With speakers:
Esther Carter – Chief Strategy Officer PackUK
An update on the status of EPR – where we are and what the next phase is
Louisa Goodfellow, Policy Manager EcoSurety
Where do 3rd party Contract Fillers fit into the picture…. Are you obligated or not – that is the EPR question
Jude Allan – MD OPRL
What is the latest update on labelling for recycling and beyond
–––––
Jamie Tinsley, CEO – Touchstone
"Empowering Organisations to Transform, Engage, and Thrive..."
Understanding your true purpose, identifying the right opportunities, empowering your people, and applying focused effort where it matters most—this is how exponential value is created. Jamie Tinsley is a proven leader in business transformation and corporate turnaround. With decades of experience as a CEO, advisor, investor, and mentor, he helps organisations unlock opportunities and achieve sustainable growth. He is the creator of the 6 Steps of Leadership, Permission to Engage, and his own practical interpretation of the 80–20 principle in business.
Jamie champions strategies that elevate every stakeholder’s voice and drive measurable, lasting results. Through Touchstone, he partners with a network of specialists to deliver transformative impact for organisations ready to evolve and grow.
–––––
Vicki Fitzpatrick – Founder, The Wellbeing Focus
"Unlocking the full potential of your workforce: How Empowering women at work creates better outcomes for the whole workplace"
Women at work, and their employers, are facing challenges at work around Diversity, Equal Opportunities and Inclusion (DEI), and how to recruit and retain women in the workplace, keeping them engaged, motivated, and fulfilled.
Vicki Fitzpatrick is a leadership coach and trainer specialising in empowering women in business and industry. She delivers award-winning CPD-accredited programmes that develop confidence, emotional intelligence, communication skills and resilient, values-led leadership. With extensive experience working with major organisations such as Jaguar Land Rover, Warwick University and Network Rail, Vicki helps companies foster inclusive cultures, supporting women at all levels, from those considering leadership to those already managing teams.
–––––
Paul Gregory – Group Commercial Director, HS Energy
"How AI-powered energy storage and trading is transforming energy from a passive cost into an active revenue-generating asset"
In an energy market defined by volatility, rising costs and increasing grid constraints, businesses are under growing pressure to find smarter, more resilient strategies. In this session, Paul Gregory, Group Commercial Director at HSEnergy, will explore how AI-powered energy storage and trading is transforming energy from a passive cost into an active revenue-generating asset.
Paul Gregory is Group Commercial Director at HSEnergy, a leading UK renewable energy company specialising in solar, battery storage and energy optimisation for commercial, residential and education sectors. With a background in commercial strategy and clean technology, Paul helps landowners and businesses unlock new revenue streams and reduce energy costs through innovative, cashflow-positive solutions. He is actively involved in the Future Homes, Skills and Innovation APPG, contributing to national discussions on the role of renewable energy in shaping a smarter, more sustainable UK energy system.
–––––
Josephine Coombe, Nulogy – Chief Commercial Officer, Europe leads a panel to talk about the role of Digitalision and how it helps co packers to prepare for the future
Jo will be joined by David Loughlin, DHL Supply Chain and Stephen Nicholls, Complete Co-Packing Services
Contract manufacturers and packers play a critical role in the supply chain of major brands and retailers. In this panel, we explore how outsourcing partners can best ensure their readiness to act as custodians of their customers’ reputations. Is your organisation managing risk on behalf of your customers effectively enough?
In this moderated panel, leaders from the co-packing and manufacturing community discuss how expectations around compliance, quality control, and traceability have evolved, and best practices and solutions to help you deliver on expectations reliably, rapidly, and with confidence.
–––––
Chris Newhouse – Head of Sales, Easyfairs
"A Quick Challenge from the Packaging Innovations & Empack Team – Can You Get it Right?"
Chris has played an active role in the UK Packaging Events and has served as the BCMPA’s main point of contact for several years. During this time, he has significantly strengthened the relationship, while developing a deep understanding of the vital role BCMPA members play within the supply chain.
He is highly engaged in the industry, with a background prior to Easyfairs in print and packaging, where he was involved in running conferences and publishing trade magazines. Chris is a strong advocate for outsourcing and fully recognises the value that BCMPA members—across contract manufacturing, packing, fulfilment, and logistics—bring to brand owners and retailers.
–––––