London Packaging Week 2026 Highlights Packaging’s Strategic Role in Business Growth

London Packaging Week 2026 Highlights Packaging’s Strategic Role in Business Growth

London Packaging Week has unveiled the first wave of speakers for its 2026 conference programme, bringing together influential voices from global brands, sustainability organizations, retailers, and creative agencies to explore the future of packaging as a strategic business tool.

Scheduled to take place on 16–17 September 2026 at Excel London, the event is expected to attract more than 5,700 visitors, 220 exhibitors, and 90 expert speakers across three dedicated conference stages.

This year’s programme reflects the growing importance of packaging in shaping sustainability goals, regulatory compliance, consumer engagement, brand differentiation, and long-term business resilience. Organizers say packaging is no longer viewed solely as a functional necessity but as a critical driver of commercial and environmental performance.

Among the first confirmed speakers is Esther Carter, Chief Strategy Officer at PackUK, who will provide insights into the future of the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. Her keynote session will examine the progress of the EPR scheme and the innovations being adopted across industry and local authorities to improve packaging sustainability.

Also joining the programme is Alex Center, founder and designer at CENTER, whose experience includes developing branding strategies for major names such as Coca-Cola, vitaminwater, smartwater, Liquid Death, Apple, and New Balance. At the event, he will share the creative journey behind Tom Holland’s non-alcoholic beer brand, BERO, highlighting how packaging design and storytelling can help transform products into cultural icons.

Luxury branding will be another major focus, with Piera Toniolo, Global Head of Influencer Marketing at Dolce & Gabbana, discussing how heritage brands can remain authentic while staying relevant to younger consumers in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

The speaker line-up also features Jeremy Lindley, Global Design Director at Diageo, alongside Ico Hernandez, Creative Director at Bulletproof. Their session will explore how major brands leverage global sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup through limited-edition packaging and culturally driven marketing campaigns.

Additional speakers and contributors include representatives from the British Soft Drinks Association, WRAP, British Retail Consortium, British Beauty Council, Walpole, OPRL, Ecosurety, PepsiCo, Suntory Food & Beverages, William Grant & Sons, Molton Brown, PZ Cussons, L’Occitane Group, Müller Group, Selfridges, The Future Laboratory, eatbigfish, and Distinctive Bat.

Conference sessions across the FMCG Stage will focus on circular economy strategies, packaging regulations, and consumer behavior, while the Luxury Stage will examine how packaging design influences emotional engagement, cultural relevance, and premium brand experiences.

According to event organizers, the diverse speaker programme highlights how packaging has become a central element in modern business strategy, helping companies balance sustainability ambitions, consumer expectations, and commercial success in a rapidly changing marketplace.