Former PackUK chief receives Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the circular economy, while M&S is named Packaging Team of the Year for combining creativity, customer experience and sustainability at scale.
Margaret Bates, who led the establishment of the UK’s packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR) scheme administrator, and Marks & Spencer have been recognised for their contributions to the packaging industry at the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards 2026.
Bates received the Lifetime Achievement Award for a career spanning more than three decades in recycling, resource management and environmental policy, while M&S was named Packaging Team of the Year for its consistent approach to innovation, customer-focused design and sustainability across its extensive retail portfolio.
Presented at Excel London on Thursday 17 September, the awards celebrated two distinct but equally important contributions to an industry facing increasingly complex commercial, environmental and regulatory demands.
An internationally recognised circular economy expert, Bates has held influential positions across government, industry and academia. Most recently, she was seconded to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to establish PackUK on behalf of the four UK nations, overseeing the infrastructure and processes required to collect approximately £1.4 billion from packaging producers and distribute funding to local authorities.
Her career also includes four years as Managing Director of OPRL, where she helped advance recycling labelling and introduced refill and Certified as Recyclable offerings. A former President of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), she also held senior academic positions at the University of Northampton, contributing to research, education and waste management policy in the UK and internationally.
Now working as an independent circular economy and resource management consultant, Bates continues to advise organisations on packaging, sustainability and policy, including supporting emerging businesses and chairing a circular economy innovation board.
Reflecting on the award, Bates said: “I was so surprised to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at London Packaging Week. 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. Packaging is constantly evolving, whether through a complete redesign or more subtle improvements that make products more accessible or sustainable. I’d like to think I’ve helped support that progress by establishing the TAC and launching refill and Certified as Recyclable offerings.
“During my time at PackUK, we worked hard to ensure legislation supports innovation rather than creating barriers to bringing new solutions to market, and that work continues at Defra and PackUK.
“I still have a lot to give to this industry, and I hope there will be plenty more opportunities to make a difference.”
Marks & Spencer was selected as Packaging Team of the Year by the senior London Packaging Week team, which recognised the breadth and consistency of the retailer’s work across a large and diverse product portfolio.
The team stood out for its ability to bring together distinctive brand expression, customer-first design and sustainability, delivering packaging that protects and presents products, improves the customer experience and supports environmental ambitions. Its success in combining these priorities at scale, supported by collaboration across the business and its supply chain, was central to the decision.
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. The award reflects the passion, expertise and determination of the team, who work every day to deliver innovation and the sustainability standards our customers expect from M&S.
“It’s also a reminder that 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: “These awards recognise two different but equally important contributions to packaging. Margaret’s career demonstrates the impact that one individual can have, from advancing recycling and resource management to helping deliver one of the UK’s most significant packaging reforms.
“M&S impressed us with the consistency and ambition of its work across an incredibly diverse product portfolio. Its team has shown how creativity, customer experience and sustainability can be brought together at scale, supported by the collaboration needed to turn those ambitions into practical results.
“Packaging innovation depends on people who are prepared to challenge established thinking, share their expertise and work together to make things better. Margaret and the M&S team embody those qualities, and we are delighted to recognise their achievements.”
The honours formed part of the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards 2026, sponsored by Nuon, which celebrated excellence across luxury, beauty, drinks, food and consumer goods.
This year’s London Packaging Week welcomed a record 6,688 unique visitors to Excel London, an increase of more than 16% on 2025, alongside more than 230 exhibitors and 110 speakers.
London Packaging Week returns to Excel London on 22–23 September 2027.
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