Trish Hyde steps up to steer Packaging Covenant

Trish Hyde has been announced as CEO of the NPCIA on the cusp of a major review of the Australian Packaging Covenant (APC).

The National Packaging Covenant Industry Association (NPCIA) represents more than 950 industry signatories to the APC including 14 industry associations represent an even broader number of companies.

Trish-Hyde_headshot-11 Trish Hyde.

With Hyde at the helm, the NPCIA is undertaking a strategic review and implementation program to ensure “greater environmental outcomes and accountability to the community, governments and industry”, said NPCIA chair Tanya Barden.

“We believe that through stronger governance, a more focused targeting of a selection of key packaging and environmental issues, along with improved processes, the NPCIA can increase the value we deliver to our stakeholders and members,” she said.

Hyde has leadership experience across industry and professional membership associations, as well as highly regulated corporations.

Her work in FMCG includes direct experience in sustainable supply chain management.

“The commitment by governments and industry to the sustainable design, use and recovery of packaging has never been more important,” Hyde said.

“NPCIA will play a vital role in promoting viable sustainable packaging stewardship across industries.”

The APC has lost both CEO David Carter, who was replaced by Hyde on 22 March, and last week general manager Vanio Calgaro, who said he moved on from his role for family reasons.

"It was a mutually agreed decision," Calgaro told PKN.

"I had the opportunity to work alongside a very dedicated group of people and met a great many stakeholders who have endeavoured to deliver an improved packaging stewardship scheme," he said.

In other packaging industry news, the Packaging Council of Australia (PCA) has lost its awards and divisional manager Jennifer Salem, just as the future of the PCA hangs in the balance

After 13 years with the organisation, she has decided to move on "to pursue new opportunities and challenges," Salem told PKN.

Salem said the PCA Board has decided not to run the Southern Cross Awards and the Australian Packaging Design Awards this year. 

"The Awards have continued to grow over the years and have been such a highlight on the industry calendar, as well as for the tertiary students and lecturers across Australia," she said.

Food & Drink Business

Cobram Estate Olives (CBO) has formally claimed a purchase price adjustment of up to US$31.9 million on its California Olive Ranch (COR) acquisition and expects to pay no earn-out on the deal, as the Australian producer works through the completion of its largest ever transaction.

Maggie Beer Holdings (MBH) has pushed back the expected timing of its proposed $10 million sale of Hampers and Gifts Australia (HGA), with completion now targeted for February 2027 rather than a binding agreement signed by the end of this month.

RMIT University and End Food Waste Australia have launched the new Food and Beverage SME Packaging and Machinery Solution Centre, to help Australian food and beverage SMEs navigate the complex transition to more sustainable packaging and processing technologies, while protecting product quality and minimising food waste.