Mr Cox takes over from John Turner, who has been chief executive since 1997. Mr Turner said that he will be sorry to lose the daily contact with the “excellent staff that have supported him at Valpak but also the long list of contacts he has made in the packaging industry”. Mr Turner added that he does not expect to leave the sector altogether, but will look at developing some opportunities that exist in the industry as well as spending more time on his private interests.
Mr Turner's remarks that he will look at opportunities in the packaging industry are seen as some observers as adding to speculation that he might be asked by his board to take on the position of chairman which is currently occupied by John Gummer. Mr Gummer is the former Environment Secretary of State under the Conservative government who got industry to agree on the way the packaging obligation is currently split between retailers, packer/fillers, converters and raw material manufacturers. However, a spokeswoman for the compliance scheme said she had no knowledge of a change of chairman at Valpak.
Speaking about his work at Valpak, Mr Turner said: “I hope I have helped to create a business that is, and will continue to be, focused on its members’ best interests. I would like to thank all members, Valpak staff and the Valpak board members for their support during the last four to five years.”
Valpak's new chief executive Mr Cox will work closely with the board and the executive in examining how to build on Valpak's success. His work will focus on realising the potential of the business in helping its members to meet their legal obligations.
Mr Cox has experience in the environmental and utility sectors being chairman and managing director of Yorkshire Environmental from 1992 to 1996, managing director of Yorkshire Water from 1997 to 2000 and chief operating officer of Railtrack between September 2000 and 2001.
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