Darren Shepherd: National Membership Development Director - British Printing Industry Federation (BPIF)

Darren Shepherd has worked in the print and packaging industry for more than 40 years and, therefore, has seen it change through many technological advances and new regulations. His post at BPIF makes him a leader in advocacy where he represents the interests of the industry in the UK. At BPIF, sustainability is embedded into the mission of the Trade Association. Darren notes the complexity of the challenges the sector is going through, especially the trade-off between economic viability and protecting the environment. He highlights the importance of partnership between stakeholders across manufacturers, retailers and regulating agencies in making real change. He also expresses his view of how industry can evolve and flourish in the face of an expanding need to engage in more eco-friendly activity. Darren is convinced that through access to diverse opinions and free, open discussion, the printing and packaging industry will clear the path towards creative solutions that are mutually beneficial to business and nature.

Current Role and Experience

Representing about 55% of the entire UK industry’s turnover, BPIF has an important role in supporting the interests of its members and initiating best practice in the industry. Through his long career, Darren has developed an exhaustive awareness of the industry’s complexities. He owned his own printing business before becoming a member of the BPIF, and this experience has allowed him to understand the challenges and opportunities created by working in the industry. In addition to member development, Darren also maintains ties with stakeholders, which is useful for knowledge-sharing and providing support to members. This is especially relevant for guiding industry as it seeks to develop and innovate with greater emphasis on sustainability. BPIF also has an active relationship with the state to protect the interests of printing and packaging.

The Power of Learning through Collaboration

The experience that Darren Shepherd has had working as a member of the collaborative group has greatly expanded his knowledge levels regarding the complexity of different challenges experienced by stakeholders in the printing and packaging sectors. Meeting with retailers and manufacturers gave him insight into the diversity of values that underline sustainability activities. Darren observes that the effects of involvement in collaborative teams may not be evident at first, but it develops the capability to think outside the box and consider issues affecting the industry at large.

The collective dialogue has brought about some important lessons on which BPIF can base its sustainability approach. This includes using diverse perspectives to identify interventions that would not otherwise be considered when working in isolation. Another important lesson has been the need to recognise the complexities of change. Darren acknowledges that obstacles must be overcome by first accepting that they exist. The group discussions highlighted a typical reluctance to embrace new practices due to their potential cost and complexity, as well as fear of the unknown. As a result of these collaborative initiatives, Darren hopes that the industry can work more effectively towards sustainability and eventually make a larger and worthy change.

Sustainability as a Core Value

At BPIF, sustainability is embedded into the mission of the. Darren highlights that it is necessary to present it as a core objective and not a marginal preoccupation. Giving guidance to members involves providing resources, training, workshops and sharing best practices that can assist companies, regardless of the size, in improving their sustainability activities. BPIF equips members with the knowledge and tools they require to take informed decisions and make them align with the expectations of the consumers as well as regulatory requirements. The federation also encourages members to work together on projects to improve sustainability processes within the industry. For example, its Climate Change Levy Reduction Scheme incentivises companies to become more efficient in their energy consumption, an example of how BPIF enables its members to become proactive in reducing their carbon footprint.

Challenges in Packaging and Sustainability

Darren notes that the pathways towards sustainable print and packaging may be full of complications and differing priorities. As an advocate for businesses across the printing and packaging industry, the BPIF has challenges in representing a diversity of interests. Darren highlights the conflict between standardization and brand competition and differences between plastic and fibre-based businesses. Although standardization of materials might have the potential to increase the rates of recycling, brand owners are not ready to standardize because of issues of positioning in the market. Another challenge is the understanding the variety of financial incentives in different branches of the industry. While a plastic company can concentrate on its cost-effective production, a fibre-based company will be more concerned with sustainability to attract socially responsible consumers. Such differences in priorities make the movement toward the standardization of sustainability practices more difficult. Understanding these differences is vital in organizing effective advocacy. As approaches in each sector vary there are likely to be inconsistencies in the adoption of sustainable practices. BPIF must identify a middle ground within its widespread membership base, building cooperation between members, and getting them to pursue a unified strategy of sustainability, which works in the interest of all.

The introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations is another current challenge. Under these laws, producers are expected to assume responsibility for the whole life of a product, which might be problematic especially to smaller companies that lack the means to manage the complexity of these requirements. To most small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), the expenditure on EPR obligations is intimidating. BPIF therefore needs to promote more even-handed regulatory frameworks that take into consideration the needs of this group of member businesses while also guiding these businesses through the intricacies of sustainability compliance. It is also important to ensure that fees raised lead to clear investments in infrastructure.

Conclusion

Through facilitating partnerships between diverse stakeholders and ensuring open communication, BPIF strives to encourage innovation within the evolving regulatory context. The process of attaining sustainability varies according to business type and BPIF aims to lead the printing industry through initiatives that encourage best practices and collective learning.

In evaluating the experience of taking part in the collaborative group, Darren notes that it is common to experience a discontinuous and difficult process when addressing new ways of thinking. It calls for people to leave their comfort zone and accept new methods that might feel foreign at the start. Nevertheless, he confirms that such methodologies help stakeholders think outside day-to-day issues and consider the longer-term trends and their potential impacts. In creating a bigger picture of sustainability, all participants can move from considering gradual alterations to disruptive innovations that could remodel the industry for a resilient and responsible future.