Exchange for Change appoints Martin Hyde as regulatory affairs lead
Martin Hyde has joined Exchange for Change as Regulatory Affairs Lead, following four years at the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro).
Hyde joins the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) administrator after working as sustainability and public affairs manager at Alupro.
He also recently completed a secondment at Defra, where he took on the role of industry liaison for the forthcoming DRS for drinks containers.
Announcing the move on LinkedIn, Hyde said it marked “the end of an era” as he concluded both his secondment at Defra and his role at Alupro.
He said: “I’m excited to step into a new role next week at Exchange for Change continuing to work on making DRS policy a reality.”
Exchange for Change is responsible for delivering the UK DRS, which is due to launch in October 2027.
ERP UK appoints textiles specialist amid EPR preparations
ERP UK has appointed Kavita Sarin Dass as its new Textiles Business Development Manager.
Dass joins the extended producer responsibility (EPR) compliance organisation with more than 20 years of international experience across textiles, including raw materials, ethical trade, ESG, manufacturing, sourcing and retail.
Having worked with major fashion and retail brands including M&S, Dass will lead ERP UK’s engagement with producers, retailers and manufacturers as textiles EPR requirements develop.
Her role will include helping businesses determine whether they are in scope of emerging requirements, improve product and placed-on-market data, and prepare for future eco-fee and reporting obligations.
Dass said: “The textiles industry is entering a period of unprecedented change.
“Joining ERP UK gives me the opportunity to help even more organisations navigate this transition, turning regulatory change into practical action and building more resilient, transparent and circular businesses for the future.”
New business development manager joins Polytag
Polytag has appointed Suzie Dekker as Business Development Manager.
Dekker joins the connected packaging company from global ESG ratings platform EcoVadis, where she worked with organisations using data and digital platforms to improve their sustainability performance.
At Polytag, Dekker will support brands in identifying commercial opportunities from connected packaging, building on her experience in data-led platforms, customer engagement and business development.
Her appointment follows the recent arrival of Alex Webster as Chief Strategy Officer, strengthening Polytag’s capabilities across data, strategy and commercial development.
Dekker said: “What attracted me to Polytag is the opportunity to work with a technology that creates a direct connection between brands, their packaging and their consumers.”
Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, added: “Suzie brings a wealth of experience in data-led platforms and customer engagement, which will be invaluable as we help brands turn packaging from a static product touchpoint into a source of data, insight and consumer engagement.”
Brent Council appoints Emilie Escudero as EPR programme manager
Brent Council has appointed Emilie Escudero as its EPR Programme Manager, following a year as the authority’s Waste and Recycling Manager.
Escudero joined Brent Council in September 2025, having previously worked at Essex County Council, Veolia and Keep Britain Tidy.
In her new role, she will focus on making use of funding from extended producer responsibility (pEPR) to improve recycling services across the London borough.
Escudero said the council’s main focus would be improving the quality of recycling collected from flats, which account for 42% of Brent’s housing stock.
She commented on LinkedIn: “pEPR gives us a unique opportunity to invest in better infrastructure, new ways of engaging with residents, and innovative interventions to deliver behaviour change and lasting improvements.”
Escudero added that she would work with Veolia and the West London Waste Authority to deliver measurable improvements to recycling rates and reduce waste.
She previously led work to roll out food waste collections to flats above shops, which are due to begin next month.
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