Can Makers confirms
appointment of new chairman
The Can Makers, the industry trade body
representing drinks can manufacturers in
the UK, has confirmed the appointment of
Simon Gresty, General Manager Metal –
Beverage UK & Ireland, Ardagh Group, as
its new chairman.
Simon has taken over from Marcel Arsand,
Head of Sustainability at Ball Beverage
Packaging EMEA who was held the role
since July 2018. Simon brings more
than three decades of experience in the
packaging industry to the role and was
previously chairman of The Can Makers
from 2006 to 2008.
Simon said: “This is an exciting and
challenging time for industry and the Can
Makers. We have yet to see many of the
effects that we know the pandemic will
have, although the industry has already
demonstrated its innovative spirit and
resilience, while the Can Makers are
progressing a number of new initiatives to
12 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk
promote the beverage can as the preferred
format for drinks packaging.
“I would like to thank Marcel for his
enthusiasm, hard work and commitment
during the last two years. His work has
been instrumental in helping the Can
Makers to raise the profile of the beverage
can as a sustainable packaging format and
there are now a greater number and variety
of drinks commonly packaged in cans than
ever before. The rise of craft beers for
instance has been phenomenal and all the
signs are that wine in cans will see similar
growth.
“At the same time, we have seen the UK
recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans
increasing year on year to a new high of
76%. We will continue to showcase the
environmental and sustainability credentials
of the beverage can and as chairman, I will
continue to work in partnership with the
Can Makers members and stakeholders, to
address the challenges that initiatives such
as DRS will bring.
“The beverage can is already the most
recycled drinks pack in the world and it is
critical that any DRS implemented follows
best practice and that all packaging formats
are included as well as a variable deposit
fee based on size.”
Previously General Manager at Ball Trading
UK and Director at Ball Packaging Europe,
Simon has held commercial and latterly
general management positions in the
industry including overseas assignments in
Russia, Africa and more recently four years
in Zurich.
Simon has held his current role at Ardagh
for five years. He completed the Ashridge
Business School Directors Programme in
2007.
www.canmakers.co.uk