UK trade association CPI appoints to its council James Cropper Group Chief Technology Officer Patrick Willink as president, Rigid Group Managing Director Richard Coward as VP, Aylesford Newsprint Managing Director Ian Broxup as honorary treasurer

Debra Garcia

SWINDON, England , May 29, 2014 (press release) – At a recent Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) Council Meeting, a number of appointments were made.

Patrick Willink, Group Chief Technology Officer and Director at James Cropper plc, was appointed CPI President.

Patrick has a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology, an MBA from Imperial College, London and a Diploma in Paper Technology from Robert Gordon University.

He joined James Cropper plc in 1990, and prior to taking up his current position in 2014, he was Operations Director of James Cropper Speciality Papers for 17 years, joining the Board of James Cropper plc in 1998. Patrick is the fourth generation of his family to serve as a director of the company.

Patrick takes over from Ola Schultz-Eklund, who was appointed CPI President in May 2012.

Richard Coward, Managing Director at Rigid Group, was appointed CPI Vice President.

With a degree in Chemical Engineering and Management, Richard joined Field Group (later Chesapeake) in 1993 as Operations Director responsible for building the Nottingham Factory. He then subsequently worked as MD Thatcham, MD of Benelux then MD of Field Bradford. After spending four years as an interim turnaround manager, Richard joined Rigid (VPK) in 2008 as MD, which is his present position.

Richard has been Chair of the CPI Corrugated Packaging Council since 2011 and is Chair of FEFCO’s Communications Committee. He takes over from Steve Mulcahy, who was appointed CPI Vice President in May 2012.

Ian Broxup, Managing Director at Aylesford Newsprint Ltd, was appointed CPI Honorary Treasurer.

A Chartered Accountant, Ian joined Aylesford Newsprint as Finance Director in 1996, and since 2012, has been Managing Director. Prior to joining the Paper Industry, Ian had gained 20 years’ experience in financial roles in engineering companies.

Ian takes over from John Denman, who was appointed CPI Treasurer in March 2003.

Bob McLellan (Non-Executive Chairman, Logson Group) continues as CPI Past President.

David Workman said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ola, Steve and John for their valued contributions and support. I would also like to congratulate Patrick, Richard and Ian, and look forward to working with them.”

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