SPA Committee
Chairman’s Mission Statement
"My vision for the SPA (since taking the Chair in 2010) has been very clear - to help our member companies to become and continue to be excellent businesses. I plan to achieve this by offering two flavours of professional support for Sheet Plants -
On a Micro level - training, best practice initiatives and good professional advice/support for all Sheet Plants in the SPA.
On a Macro level - keep our members well informed and safe with regular updates on the economic outlook, new legislation and Health & Safety guidelines, whilst continuing to use the SPA as a vehicle to influence our industry peers, government and consumers."
Tim Gray
Chairman,
UK Sheet Plant Association
Managing Director,
Dairi-Pak Ltd.
Tim Gray
Chair
• Provide leadership and strategic direction.
• Represent the association at industry events.
• Chair committee meetings and ensures objectives are met.
• Oversee governance and financial accountability, ensuring compliance with external audits.
• Serve as the primary host and spokesperson at Conference and events, representing both the SPA and the wider sector.
* * * * *
Before joining Dairi-Pak in 1991, Tim could often be found in the skies as part of his role as Sales Director at Airpic Aerial Photography. He joined Dairi-Pak to help his father and Dairi-Pak founder, Brian Gray, grow the business. He now heads up a very competent management team, offering strategic insight and funding to ensure Dairi-Pak retain their reputation for excellence. He is Chairman of the UK Sheet Plant Association and champions Best Practice in the corrugated industry. Free time is a thing of the past for Tim with two young daughters. They love to spend time together as a family on the Welsh Coast. When time allows, he is a keen sailor and skier. Tim used his skills as a competent sailor in 2007 to circumnavigate the UK in his boat, raising enough money in the process to build new facilities for a school in Rural Thailand which continues to thrive today.
• Represent the association at industry events.
• Chair committee meetings and ensures objectives are met.
• Oversee governance and financial accountability, ensuring compliance with external audits.
• Serve as the primary host and spokesperson at Conference and events, representing both the SPA and the wider sector.
* * * * *
Before joining Dairi-Pak in 1991, Tim could often be found in the skies as part of his role as Sales Director at Airpic Aerial Photography. He joined Dairi-Pak to help his father and Dairi-Pak founder, Brian Gray, grow the business. He now heads up a very competent management team, offering strategic insight and funding to ensure Dairi-Pak retain their reputation for excellence. He is Chairman of the UK Sheet Plant Association and champions Best Practice in the corrugated industry. Free time is a thing of the past for Tim with two young daughters. They love to spend time together as a family on the Welsh Coast. When time allows, he is a keen sailor and skier. Tim used his skills as a competent sailor in 2007 to circumnavigate the UK in his boat, raising enough money in the process to build new facilities for a school in Rural Thailand which continues to thrive today.
Nick Kirby
Vice Chair
• Support the Chair and steps in when needed.
• Oversee key initiatives and committee coordination.
* * * * *
Nick is a 40 year veteran of the corrugated packaging and display sectors, having forged a career that encompasses production, sales and general management. Nick is hands-on and passionate about the executive roles he has in organisations such as The Confederation of Paper Industries, FESPA UK and the Sheet Plant Association to promote the good of his industry. In 2001 he established Swanline Print with his brother and brother-in-law as a specialist trade manufacturer to the corrugated packaging and display sectors. Nick is now Chief Executive of Swanline Group. In 2014, Nick founded the independent corrugated sheet-feeder, CorrBoard UK with a consortium of Sheet Plants to establish the UK's first conglomerate owned sheet board manufacturer. Nick's forward vision for this £45m turnover business culminated in a further £5.5m investment in a Bio-Energy facility to provide renewable energy to CorrBoard UK; making them the world's first carbon neutral corrugated board manufacturer.”
• Oversee key initiatives and committee coordination.
* * * * *
Nick is a 40 year veteran of the corrugated packaging and display sectors, having forged a career that encompasses production, sales and general management. Nick is hands-on and passionate about the executive roles he has in organisations such as The Confederation of Paper Industries, FESPA UK and the Sheet Plant Association to promote the good of his industry. In 2001 he established Swanline Print with his brother and brother-in-law as a specialist trade manufacturer to the corrugated packaging and display sectors. Nick is now Chief Executive of Swanline Group. In 2014, Nick founded the independent corrugated sheet-feeder, CorrBoard UK with a consortium of Sheet Plants to establish the UK's first conglomerate owned sheet board manufacturer. Nick's forward vision for this £45m turnover business culminated in a further £5.5m investment in a Bio-Energy facility to provide renewable energy to CorrBoard UK; making them the world's first carbon neutral corrugated board manufacturer.”
Nick Geary
Ambassador for Membership & Member Engagement
• Focus on attracting Sheet Plant (Converter) members.
• Focus on retaining members:
• Drive engagement with SPA Initiatives.
• Manage member communications and feedback.
• Monitor and chase Sheet Plant Member attendance at Events
* * * * *
Nick joined the BOBST sales team in 2013 and as an integral part of the team uses his extensive experience and technical knowledge with corrugated board processes and running of plants to assist customers with their machine investments.
Nick understands and values the importance of the Sheet Plant Association within the corrugated market. Independent plants have the ability to react to customer needs and spot market trends and changes through SPA Membership. This is refreshing and challenging for suppliers who have to come up with innovative ways to cope with customer design and production demands.
The SPA is an association that can benefit many independent companies and this is a message that I share with customers and colleagues within the industry. I promote membership and aim to increase member engagement and attendance at SPA events and training sessions which can benefit both Supplier and Converter members.
• Focus on retaining members:
• Drive engagement with SPA Initiatives.
• Manage member communications and feedback.
• Monitor and chase Sheet Plant Member attendance at Events
* * * * *
Nick joined the BOBST sales team in 2013 and as an integral part of the team uses his extensive experience and technical knowledge with corrugated board processes and running of plants to assist customers with their machine investments.
Nick understands and values the importance of the Sheet Plant Association within the corrugated market. Independent plants have the ability to react to customer needs and spot market trends and changes through SPA Membership. This is refreshing and challenging for suppliers who have to come up with innovative ways to cope with customer design and production demands.
The SPA is an association that can benefit many independent companies and this is a message that I share with customers and colleagues within the industry. I promote membership and aim to increase member engagement and attendance at SPA events and training sessions which can benefit both Supplier and Converter members.
Nick Mountain
Ambassador for Membership & Member Engagement
• Focus on attracting Sheet Plant (Converter) members.
• Focus on retaining members:
• Drive engagement with SPA Initiatives.
• Manage member communications and feedback.
• Monitor and chase Sheet Plant Member attendance at Events
• Focus on retaining members:
• Drive engagement with SPA Initiatives.
• Manage member communications and feedback.
• Monitor and chase Sheet Plant Member attendance at Events
Chris Bywater
Ambassador for Membership & Member Engagement
• Focus on attracting Sheet Plant (Converter) members.
• Focus on retaining members:
• Drive engagement with SPA Initiatives.
• Manage member communications and feedback.
• Monitor and chase Sheet Plant Member attendance at Events
* * * * *
• Focus on retaining members:
• Drive engagement with SPA Initiatives.
• Manage member communications and feedback.
• Monitor and chase Sheet Plant Member attendance at Events
* * * * *
Simon Mander
Ambassador for Membership & Member Engagement
• Focus on attracting Sheet Plant (Converter) members.
• Focus on retaining members:
• Drive engagement with SPA Initiatives.
• Manage member communications and feedback.
• Monitor and chase Sheet Plant Member attendance at Events
* * * * *
• Focus on retaining members:
• Drive engagement with SPA Initiatives.
• Manage member communications and feedback.
• Monitor and chase Sheet Plant Member attendance at Events
* * * * *
Neil Osment
Industry & Regulatory Affairs Lead
• Keep members informed about regulations, directives, and industry trends.
• Maintain relationships with key industry bodies - CPI, FEFCO, AICC.
• Attend CPI Promotional Committee meetings.
* * * * *
Neil Osment has enjoyed over 20 years working for major European packaging companies in both commercial and operational roles. In 2004, he set up Neil Osment Associates (NOA) to provide practical help and support to national and multi-national packaging businesses. In turn in 2012, NOA purchased the packaging research company PRISM from Simon Southern, to broaden the support that NOA offered. Since then NOA has been engaged by many packaging associations such as FEFCO, ECMA, SPA and ICCA as well as with private packaging clients, to offer insights on the European and Global markets for paper-based packaging.
• Maintain relationships with key industry bodies - CPI, FEFCO, AICC.
• Attend CPI Promotional Committee meetings.
* * * * *
Neil Osment has enjoyed over 20 years working for major European packaging companies in both commercial and operational roles. In 2004, he set up Neil Osment Associates (NOA) to provide practical help and support to national and multi-national packaging businesses. In turn in 2012, NOA purchased the packaging research company PRISM from Simon Southern, to broaden the support that NOA offered. Since then NOA has been engaged by many packaging associations such as FEFCO, ECMA, SPA and ICCA as well as with private packaging clients, to offer insights on the European and Global markets for paper-based packaging.
Future Talent & Industry Outreach Lead
Future Talent & Industry Outreach Lead
• Promotes careers in the corrugated and paper industries to the next generation.
May involve:
• Engaging with a Young SPA Sub Committee
• Engaging with schools, colleges, and universities to raise awareness of industry opportunities.
• Work with members to create mentorship, apprenticeship, and internship programs.
• Represent the SPA in industry-wide talent initiatives and networking events.
• Develop materials and campaigns to showcase career paths in the sector.
• Liaise with SPA Emerging Leaders, AICC Emerging Leaders, The Printing Charity Rising Star Awards
May involve:
• Engaging with a Young SPA Sub Committee
• Engaging with schools, colleges, and universities to raise awareness of industry opportunities.
• Work with members to create mentorship, apprenticeship, and internship programs.
• Represent the SPA in industry-wide talent initiatives and networking events.
• Develop materials and campaigns to showcase career paths in the sector.
• Liaise with SPA Emerging Leaders, AICC Emerging Leaders, The Printing Charity Rising Star Awards
Caroline Tate
SPA Treasurer
• Maintains all SPA Ledgers - Purchases, Sales & Cash
• Reviews and authorises all sales invoices
• Reviews and submits quarterly VAT Returns
• Manages financial planning, reporting and adhoc financial analysis.
• Ensures financial sustainability of the Association
• Prepares Annual acccounts and submit for external audit
• Liases with Association's Bank and SUMUP
• AGM, Constitution & Supplier of the Year
• Reviews and authorises all sales invoices
• Reviews and submits quarterly VAT Returns
• Manages financial planning, reporting and adhoc financial analysis.
• Ensures financial sustainability of the Association
• Prepares Annual acccounts and submit for external audit
• Liases with Association's Bank and SUMUP
• AGM, Constitution & Supplier of the Year
Sharon Roberts-Newson
SPA Secretary
• Delegate Bookings for events
• Draft Sales Invoicing
ADMINISTRATION:
• Hotel bookings for events.
• Execute SPA Supplier of the Year.
• 3 Conferences per year.
• Biennial Trade Show.
• Members on SPA website.
• Annual SPA Membership.
• SPA Committee.
• Draft Sales Invoicing
ADMINISTRATION:
• Hotel bookings for events.
• Execute SPA Supplier of the Year.
• 3 Conferences per year.
• Biennial Trade Show.
• Members on SPA website.
• Annual SPA Membership.
• SPA Committee.
Katie Ryan
SPA Commercial & Events Lead
• Oversees the planning and execution of three world-class Conferences per year.
• Oversees the biennial world-class Trade Show.
• Ensures high-quality content and speakers.
• Secures sponsorships for events and trade shows.
• Works closely with suppliers and sponsors.
• Handles exhibitor engagement, logistics, and sponsorships.
• Ensures members receive relevant, timely industry information.
• Oversees the website, social media, and promotional materials.
• Manages branding and PR.
• Oversees the biennial world-class Trade Show.
• Ensures high-quality content and speakers.
• Secures sponsorships for events and trade shows.
• Works closely with suppliers and sponsors.
• Handles exhibitor engagement, logistics, and sponsorships.
• Ensures members receive relevant, timely industry information.
• Oversees the website, social media, and promotional materials.
• Manages branding and PR.