Set and deliver the strategy for a new national organisation helping to drive delivery of the UK’s £1.5bn pEPR packaging reforms — advancing the packaging circular economy further. 

A brand new organisation, UK Packaging PRO is a producer-led, not-for-profit organisation, appointed to help deliver the UK's packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme (pEPR).

The problem it exists to solve is not a subtle one. The UK throws away around 11 million tonnes of packaging a year, close to half of everything in the nation's household bins, with recycling rates improving slowly. pEPR moves the £1.5bn cost of collection, sorting and disposal to the Producers placing goods on the market, with the aim to drive an equitable system of accountability and to drive a more efficient and effective end-to-end circular supply chain. Backed by more than 100 of the UK's largest brands, retailers and trade bodies, UK Packaging PRO took up its role on 1 April 2026. With the Board, CEO and COO now in place, the team is now rapidly building the organisation and its capabilities to deliver. 

The Chief Strategy Officer is a pivotal appointment to the team and will set the five-year strategic roadmap for our work, building the evidence beneath it: the research, financial and economic modelling, and bringing a strategic view of how the system needs to evolve. We are looking for a transformational strategist who is at home in complex, regulated systems: analytical and structured, strong on financial and economic modelling, and able to turn complexity into a clear and compelling narrative. You will be a skilled influencer across a wide and complex stakeholder set — producers, PackUK, ministers and devolved administrations, local authorities, the waste and resources sector and NGOs — and comfortable offering constructive challenge at the most senior level, including where new evidence challenges established assumptions. Deep knowledge of packaging and recycling regulation is useful but not essential; how you think and how you engage matter more.

It is rare to help design a national system in its first year. It is rarer still to see the results turn up in every household in the country. If our ambitions resonate with you, we would love to hear from you.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to UK Packaging PRO on this appointment. We are committed to being equal opportunities organisations and are particularly keen to hear from candidates from under-represented backgrounds. Should you wish to discuss accessibility or any reasonable adjustments you may require, please don't hesitate to let us know, and we will be more than happy to help with any queries. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference XBVRB. Alternatively email Belinda.Beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by 5pm on 5 October 2026.