About TIPS
The Irish Packaging Society, formerly the Institute of Packaging Ireland, is affiliated with the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in the UK and the various UK Packaging Societies that make up the IOM3 Packaging Group.
As an Affiliate The Irish Packaging Society can now work in a more independent way, where we are now in a position to develop and build directly a local membership. As a result, we have formed a new Committee and are expanding membership of The Irish Packaging Society, for an annual fee of €50 or £45. Fee is renewable annually, from date of joining.
Direct membership of IOM3 is also possible and includes membership to a local society of your choice. This is the alternative way to become a member of The Irish Packaging Society.
Membership of The Irish Packaging Society is across the whole island of Ireland.
We are keen for everyone involved with specifying, manufacturing, packing, filling, converting, retailing, brand management, new product development, material testing, etc., to become members of The Irish Packaging Society and benefit from networking, support, problem-solving, education and training opportunities.
TIPS Committee
David Little
Chairperson
David is dedicated to raising the awareness and importance of packaging in a circular economy, through his work, and that of the Irish Packaging Society.
Packaging Consultant and Packaging Trainer.
Leonard Little & Associates Ltd. (Est 1976)
David is a qualified Print Technologist and Packaging Technologist, with over 35 years’ experience, covering all packaging substrates; including cartons, corrugate, flexible film / laminates, rigid plastics, labels and all printing and conversion processes.
He has extensive experience in new product development, structural design, brand management, repro, capital equipment and production processes.
David applies this knowledge to support clients and students across the Food & Drink, Pharmaceutical, IT and Industrial sectors.
David currently holds the following roles:
- Managing Director of Leonard Little & Associates Ltd.,
- Chair of the Irish Packaging Society.
- Member of the IOM3 Packaging Group – Leadership Team (UK).
- Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
Tom Fitzpatrick
Packaging Performance Manager
Primark
Tom joined the Primark Packaging team in 2022.
His role in Primark is a key function in delivering and supporting the Primark Cares business sustainability strategy, providing subject matter expertise across all elements of the packaging lifecycle. His objective is to develop and execute an enterprise wide packaging strategy that focusses on form, function, materials, sustainability and cost of primary, secondary and transport packaging.
Tom has had a varied career, all Print and Packaging related and has worked for Brand Agencies, Print and Repro Companies, Heinz Packaging as well as founding his own successful packaging design business, Link Design Studios.
Tom, a qualified Packaging Technologist, believes that his Diploma in Packaging Technology with DPP Skillnet and accredited by TU Dublin was a key factor in his career progression into Packaging Sustainability.
“We live a fast paced world of where packaging development and sustainability requirements are ever evolving. Being a member of The Irish Packaging Society and having a broad network of like-minded Packaging Professionals is a key part in helping me further develop my knowledge and experience.”
Aisling Vallely
BSc Hon Food Technology
Loughry College CAFRE
17 years working in Food manufacturing, Auditing and Quality Systems Management.
Aisling work’s for the Henderson Food Group as Group Quality Assurance Manager. Henderson Group occupies the Wholesale, Retail and Manufacturing arena in Northern Ireland.
“It is a very exciting time to be involved in packaging. Not only does packaging mechanise and sell a product to the consumer, it protects our goods throughout the supply chain and most importantly keeps our customers safe.”
Dr Bronagh Millar
Characterisation Manager
Polymer Processing Research Centre, Queen University Belfast
Bronagh joined PPRC in 2003 after completing her PhD in “The rheology of polyethylene resins and their performance as cast films.” During her time in PPRC Bronagh has been responsible for managing a suite of characterisation facilities and delivering over 1000 consultancy projects for local and international industry. Bronagh has a wealth of experience in capillary and oscillatory rheology, and in using them to describe molecular structures, filler-polymer interactions and troubleshoot processing issues. She is practised in using various thermal analysis techniques to examine the composition of polymers and probe the processing causes and material issues behind product defects and failures. Since joining PPRC, Bronagh has trained many industrialists in fundamental characterisation techniques and their use within their industry
Qualifications and Accreditations
- MEng Chemical Engineering
- PhD Chemical Engineering
- ILM Train the trainer
Gillian Shields
Packaging and Sustainability Manager
A member of the Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Team, Gillian was appointed Customer Sustainability Partnership Manager with Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland in November 2021. Joining the business in 2003 she has held several key roles, including, Packaging and Sustainability Manager, Community Affairs and Sustainability Manager, and Internal Communications Manager.
Chair of the Prepared Consumer Foods Sustainability Group, and Co-Chair of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Packaging Committee, Gillian also sits on the Board of Directors of leading youth charity, YouthAction Northern Ireland, and is a past Chair of the Northern Ireland Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Gillian began her professional career after graduating from the University of Ulster with an MSc in E-commerce and BSc in Business and lives in Co. Antrim with her husband, Roy, and 8 years old son Thom.
Rosemary Perry
Packaging Development
Rosemary has held a number of technical roles in the food & packaging industries including Linden Foods, Greiner Packaging & Moy Park. She has extensive experience in new product development specialising in the management & launch of new packaging formats.
Having dealt with UK & Irish retail customers, Rosemary has an in-depth knowledge of the changing sustainability agenda and the opportunities this presents for the supply of packaging materials.
Rosemary is a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast with a BSc (Hons) in Food Science and a PG Dip in Food Safety Management.
Mark Hanratty
Packaging Manager Glanbia Ireland
Mark joined the Research and Development Team in Glanbia Ireland in Feb 2021 as Packaging Manager.
A large part of his role is focussed on packaging sustainability across the broad range of packaging materials used across the Glanbia Ireland business, from consumer facing brands such as Avonmore milk and Kilmeaden cheese, through to bulk packaging used for food ingredients.
Mark has extensive packaging knowledge, having completed the previously worked for 5 years with Britvic Soft Drinks as Packaging Development Manager and prior to that having worked for over 20 years with C&C Group, most recently as Group Packaging Development Manager, working with a wide portfolio of alcoholic beverages.
Completion of the Packaging Diploma course was a key factor in facilitating his entry into the world of packaging development and helped develop a wide range of contacts in the industry which are very useful in helping to further develop his knowledge and experience.
Other Committee Members:
- Anne Morrissey – DCU – Education
- Ron Gardner – CAFRE – Vice Chairperson
- Tony Duffy – CAFRE – Treasurer
- Lean Caulfield – Pernod-Ricard – Secretary / Social Media
- Laura Mc Ilvanna – Dunbia
The Irish Packaging Society, formerly the Institute of Packaging Ireland, is affiliated with the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in the UK and the various UK Packaging Societies that make up the IOM3 Packaging Group.
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The Diploma in Packaging Technology class on tour
The Diploma in Packaging Technology class on tour. The...
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