Ardagh chief takes helm of Aerosol Association

Ardagh Group's Australasia managing director – metal, John Bigley, has been elected to succeed Lindsay Showyin as president of the Aerosol Association of Australia.

Despite stepping down as the head of the Australian association, Showyin will retain his presidency of the Asian Aerosol Association and will chair that organisation's next meeting in Sydney in April next year.

Bigley has been a member of the Australian Aerosol Association's executive committee since 2011, and has chaired the association’s PR and marketing working group since early 2012.

Bigley previously served as chairman of the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association and the (UK) Metal Packaging Manufacturers’ Association. He has worked in the packaging industry for 25 years, including serving as manufacturing director for the specialities division of Ardagh Metal in Europe as well as regional roles with such companies as Metal Box, US Can and Impress.

Bigley told PKN it was an honour to be elected to the role.

"It's going to be a tough pair of shoes to fill, however. Lindsay [Showyin] has been in the role a long time and done a tremendous job.

"But I previously had a similar role in the UK, and I always enjoy getting involved with trade associations.

"And for Ardagh, it is important for take heed of our responsibility as a member of the aerosol industry."

He said he expected to play a leading role in helping represent the industry's views in regulatory affairs both in Australia and the wider Asian region.

"I think it is a continuous battle in terms of what regulators keep putting forward. It is important, particularly for the smaller companies in the industry, to have a body to represent their interests," Bigley told PKN.

"We have also been instrumental in helping setting up the Asian Aerosol Association, and we need to use that position of influence to help harmonise standards in the region and ensure there is a level playing field for Australian companies."

More immediately, he said, the association will be focussed on preparations for its April event in Sydney.