--- title: News and Press Releases --- [![Asset 2@4x](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/hubfs/Asset%202@4x.png)](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk?hsLang=en) Thursday 6th August 2026 # **UK Packaging PRO appoints Kerry Easter as CEO and Karen Graley as COO** **The Board of UK Packaging PRO is pleased to announce Leadership appointments to transition from initial mobilisation into the first phase of operation.** #### **Kerry Easter** appointed as Chief Executive Officer #### **Karen Graley** appointed as Chief Operating Officer   Kerry Easter joins UK Packaging PRO as CEO with significant business leadership experience. Kerry has worked across the supply chain, from quality, innovation, manufacturing, and leading strategic supply networks in many sectors including Food, Beverages, Home and Personal Care, Beauty, and Retail. Most recently, she was Global Head of Category Supply Chain for Gin, Rum and Vodka at Diageo, with prior experience at Unilever, Estee Lauder Companies and Co-founder of Rituals. Karen Graley becomes Chief Operating Officer. Having played a leading role in establishing UK Packaging PRO, Karen will lead the continued development of its operational capability, governance and delivery arrangements. Her experience spans retail, FMCG, packaging, producer responsibility and environmental compliance, with a strong track record of bringing together industry insight, policy understanding and practical delivery to achieve real-world outcomes.   ![Seb profile pic](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Seb%20profile%20pic.png?width=320&height=320&name=Seb%20profile%20pic.png "Seb profile pic") ### Sebastian Munden CBE, Chair of UK Packaging PRO, said: *“I’m proud to announce our leadership team. Kerry brings exceptional international experience of leading complex supply chains, transforming organisations and embedding sustainability across major consumer businesses.* *Karen brings deep expertise in packaging policy and producer responsibility, alongside the operational knowledge and relationships developed through UK Packaging PRO’s establishment and mobilisation.* *Their complementary experience will give the organisation the strategic leadership, continuity and operational focus it needs for its next stage of development.”* ### Kerry Easter said: *'I’m delighted to be joining Sebastian, Karen and the team in this exciting growth phase of UK Packaging PRO and wider packaging circularity across the UK. Throughout my career I have led with a passion across the business of supply chain, delivering through sustainable leadership choices and collaborative execution.* *UK Packaging PRO will play an increasingly important role to ensure packaging EPR evolves effectively and efficiently across the UK for producers, local authorities, the packaging value chain, and citizens.* *My immediate priority will be to engage with the organisation’s partners and stakeholders, taking input to build on the foundations already established. We will ensure that UK Packaging PRO develops the appropriate strategies, capability and discipline required for a successful next phase.'* ![Kerry profile pic](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Kerry%20profile%20pic.png?width=320&height=320&name=Kerry%20profile%20pic.png "Kerry profile pic") ![KG profile pic](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/KG%20profile%20pic.png?width=320&height=320&name=KG%20profile%20pic.png "KG profile pic") ### Karen Graley said: *“I am looking forward to building UK Packaging PRO into an organisation that is trusted by producers, respected by its partners and recognised for delivering practical results.* *“I am proud of the foundations we have established and excited to continue that work as COO. I look forward to working alongside Kerry, our Board, our growing team, PackUK and partners across the value chain to build the capability, relationships and momentum needed to make packaging EPR work effectively and deliver meaningful, measurable improvements.”* ### *Jeremy Blake, CEO of PackUK, said:* *“These appointments are an important step for UK Packaging PRO as it moves from mobilisation into delivery. Kerry brings significant operational and transformation experience, while Karen provides continuity and deep knowledge of packaging EPR and the practical systems needed to make it work.* *“Together, they give UK Packaging PRO the leadership, operational discipline and stakeholder focus needed to help build an effective, efficient and evidence-led packaging EPR system across the UK.”*   **Autumn engagement** UK Packaging PRO will be increasing engagement with obligated producers, local authorities and organisations across the packaging, collection, recycling and reprocessing value chain. This will include structured opportunities for stakeholders to inform UK Packaging PRO’s developing strategy and delivery priorities. To register your interest and be among the first to be contacted, [please contact us](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/?hsLang=en#contact).   **ENDS**   ![Asset 2@4x](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/hubfs/Asset%202@4x.png) [info@UKPackagingPRO.org.uk](mailto:info@UKPackagingPRO.org.uk) 6th Floor | 10 Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2SL - [Home](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk?hsLang=en) - [People](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/our-people?hsLang=en) - [FAQs](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/faqs?hsLang=en) - [Press & News](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/news-and-press-releases?hsLang=en) - [Membership Registration](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/membership-registration?hsLang=en) © 2026 UK Packaging PRO   |   All rights reserved   |   [Privacy Policy](https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/privacy-policy?hsLang=en)   [Powered by Atlas - a B2B SaaS HubSpot theme](https://www.kalungi.com/atlas-hubspot-theme-for-b2b-saas-software)