PACKAGING PIONEERS TAKE TOP HONOURS AS MARGARET BATES AND M&S TRIUMPH AT LONDON PACKAGING WEEK

Margaret Bates, a leading circular economy expert, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Marks & Spencer was named Packaging Team of the Year at the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards 2026. Their recognition highlights individual leadership and collective creativity in tackling sustainability, innovation and customer experience across a rapidly evolving packaging industry.

The London Packaging Week Innovation Awards 2026 at Excel London celebrated two landmark achievements in the packaging sector, recognising both individual leadership and collective creativity in an industry under mounting commercial, environmental and regulatory pressures. Margaret Bates, one of the UK’s most influential voices in recycling and resource management, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Marks & Spencer’s packaging team was named Packaging Team of the Year for its consistent delivery of innovation, customer-first design and sustainability across its extensive retail portfolio.  

Bates, whose career spans more than three decades, has played a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s packaging landscape. Most recently, she was seconded to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to establish PackUK, the administrator of the UK’s extended producer responsibility scheme. Her work involved building the infrastructure to collect around £1.4 billion from packaging producers and distribute funding to local authorities, ensuring that legislation supports innovation rather than stifles it. Her earlier career included four years as Managing Director of OPRL, where she advanced recycling labelling and introduced refill and Certified as Recyclable offerings. She also served as President of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and held senior academic roles at the University of Northampton, contributing to policy and education both nationally and internationally.  

Reflecting on her award, Bates said she was “so surprised” to receive the honour, adding: “Packaging is an amazing sector to work in. It’s often taken for granted, yet it’s absolutely vital to the UK economy, public health, resilience and waste reduction. Receiving this award at a celebration of innovation means a great deal to me.” She emphasised her commitment to continuing to support progress in packaging, sustainability and policy, noting that she still has “a lot to give to this industry.”  

Marks & Spencer’s packaging team was recognised for its ability to combine distinctive brand expression, customer-focused design and sustainability at scale. The judges highlighted the breadth and consistency of the retailer’s work across a diverse product portfolio, praising its success in delivering packaging that protects and presents products, enhances customer experience and supports environmental ambitions. Clare Edgar, Head of Packaging at M&S, said: “We are incredibly proud of this achievement and the recognition this award gives to the talented people behind our packaging programme. Progress is a collective effort, and we’re grateful for the support of our suppliers and industry partners who help us drive innovation and positive change.”  

Josh Brooks, Divisional Director – Packaging Portfolio at Easyfairs, organiser of London Packaging Week, said the awards recognised “two different but equally important contributions to packaging.” He noted that Bates’s career demonstrated the impact of individual leadership, while M&S showed how creativity, customer experience and sustainability could be delivered at scale through collaboration.  

Sponsored by Nuon, the Innovation Awards formed part of a record-breaking London Packaging Week, which welcomed 6,688 unique visitors, more than 230 exhibitors and 110 speakers. The event returns to Excel London on 22–23 September 2027.