IN Brief:
- The BCMPA Conference returns on 31 March–1 April 2026 at the Oxford Belfry.
- Packaging EPR, labelling, cybersecurity, and automation feature heavily on the agenda.
- Sessions span compliance, digital reporting, and operational risk as policy and cost pressures tighten.
The BCMPA has confirmed dates and a detailed speaker line-up for its 2026 Conference, with the main programme scheduled for Wednesday, 1 April, at the Oxford Belfry Hotel (OX9 2JW), following an optional dinner and networking evening on Tuesday, 31 March.
The event is set to focus on topics spanning packaging regulation, operational resilience, and investment decisions, with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging given headline billing. BCMPA members have raised concerns about how EPR fees apply across outsourced manufacturing and contract packing models, particularly where multiple parties handle packaging specifications, purchasing, filling, and onward distribution.
“With companies having to deal with so many external issues alongside the day-to-day running of their business, the BCMPA conference is a way for the industry to come together, be part of the discussion and benefit from some valuable knowledge exchange,” said Emma Verkaik, Chief Executive Officer of the BCMPA.
EPR and recycling labelling are scheduled through a set of dedicated sessions branded around pEPR. Esther Carter, Chief Strategy Officer at PackUK, is due to provide an update on EPR status and the next phase of delivery. Louisa Goodfellow, Policy Manager at Ecosurety, is set to address how contract fillers fit within the EPR framework, while Jude Allan, Managing Director at OPRL, is scheduled to provide an update on recycling labelling.
“The conference arrives at a pivotal moment for our members and the industry as a whole,” Verkaik said. “EPR has a huge impact on the supply chain and knowing who is obliged to pay the fees is critical especially in the complex area of third-party handling which is not always straightforward.”
Outside regulation, the programme is built around a mix of operational, technology, and macroeconomic themes. Professor Trevor Williams, Global Economist and former Lloyds Bank economist, is listed to provide an overview for 2026 to 2028 covering growth, inflation, interest rates, job markets, and investment trends, alongside commentary on instability and domestic constraints on SMEs.
Automation and cyber risk are also on the main agenda. Professor Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer at the MTC, is scheduled to cover robot automation trends, including cobots and AI. Victoria Speight, Founder of Cyberfit, is listed to address cyber-attack exposure and practical steps to strengthen security postures.
A panel led by Josephine Coombe, Chief Commercial Officer, Europe at Nulogy, is set to examine digitalisation in co-packing and contract manufacturing, with participation from David Loughlin of DHL Supply Chain and Stephen Nicholls of Complete Co-Packing Services. The panel description centres on reporting accuracy, traceability, compliance expectations, and responsiveness under shifting demand signals.
To book your tickets, email events@bcmpa.org.uk
