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Future Trailblazers judge interview: Gregory Bentley, Packaging Director at Suntory Beverage and Food Europe
With almost three decades of packaging design experience, including spells working at some of the largest beverage producers in the world, Gregory Bentley has high standards. Even so, as judge of this year’s Future Trailblazers, he is bowled over by the quality of applications.
“The packaging industry is full of awards,” explains Gregory Bentley, Packaging Director at Suntory Beverage and Food Europe, a regional division of the Japan-based Suntory Group, one of the leading global drinks companies behind well-known brands such as Lucozade, Ribena and Orangina. “But they’re usually about judging the output. They don’t judge the effort that goes into a project or the individual talent behind it. When I was first approached to judge the Future Trailblazer, what really struck me was that this is about the people – those who are going above and beyond, putting themselves out there, and challenging the way things have historically always been done.
“The fact that it focuses on younger people entering the industry is genuinely exciting. I was quoted some years ago about needing to make packaging sexy again, but to me packaging’s always been interesting – I’m a proper nerd and my wife always makes fun of me for it! So I love seeing other people with that same level of passion.”
Gregory has translated that excitement into a thriving online community through his Passion For Pack Instagram page, which highlights packaging excellence and burning topics within the industry. “I want to be celebrating the ones who really show the love for what they do,” he adds.
Driving change
One of Gregory’s favourite things about the packaging industry is its constant drive for change. But, he says, he was recently reminded that the fundamentals of packaging go back further than you might think.
“We moved offices recently and we came upon a blast from the past,” he explains. “When we were clearing out some cupboards we found some packaging specs from the 1950s. It got me thinking about how things have changed, but the fundamentals of packaging are still the same. You still have to contain, promote and protect the product. The baseline has stayed the same, but the way we do things has changed massively over the years, and people are having to adapt to those rapid changes.
“That drives what we do. Look at legislation – it never used to be a thing for packaging,” he continues. “There were never plastic taxes or limits on plastic. It was all about using the best materials to preserve the products. When I started my career, it was all about convenience and shelf life.
“Now, obviously, it’s totally flipped on its head, and some companies are willing to compromise shelf life to some degree if it means the final product is more circular. That changing mentality is reflected in the new people coming into the industry. They see that by working in the packaging industry, you can have a real impact.”
Making a real impact
That desire to have a real impact is something that Gregory is keen to see from this year’s Future Trailblazers. Gregory argues this drive for change is essential as the industry continues to combat misinformation and improve education in the broader public sphere. “There are people who say all packaging is bad, all plastic is bad,” he admits. “We need educated people coming into the industry who have the passion to make a difference.
“The biggest challenge is around plastic and the misinformation that’s going around about it, which is why it’s so important that we get people into the industry who want to make a difference. Then they go out and publicise the facts, and make changes based on facts, not opinion. The issue isn’t the material itself, but how it’s managed at end-of-life and within recycling systems.”
The packaging industry, however, cannot achieve this level of change on its own. It must work closely with brands to build a holistic sustainability strategy. “I’ve been a big supporter of taking people from materials suppliers and bringing them in-house,” Gregory adds. “That’s where I now sit. It will be interesting to see where this year’s Trailblazers work, whether it’s at brands or materials suppliers.”
Continual reinvention
By diversifying, improving education, and upskilling people who bring fresh perspectives, Gregory says, the industry can continue to reinvent itself.
“We have a Japanese word we use [at Suntory] – ‘Monozukuri’, which describes the craft and mindset of manufacturing. To achieve that, you need a passion for it. The theory is important, but you only really internalise it when you get into the nuts and bolts of it and do it yourself.
“It’s at that point that you can develop new ideas. I keep finding myself saying, ‘right, that’s it, we can’t go any further with this.’ But I think back to 15 years ago and I thought we couldn’t go any further with lightweighting packaging, but look where we are now.
“And yet, every time you think ‘that’s it, we can’t do anymore,’ someone else will come along and prove you wrong. They’re the people who will be highlighted as Future Trailblazers — the people who keep challenging and pushing.”
The chance to meet and network with the talent that will shape the future is what most appeals to Gregory about the yearly Packaging Innovations & Empack showcase. “There’s nothing quite like walking the halls of an exhibition where everything is of interest,” he says. “The value of these shows comes from walking, meeting, and learning about new things. It might be that you’ve had a problem for two years and you’ve seen someone who’s got a solution to it, they didn’t know you had the problem, and you didn’t know they had the solution.”
From uncovering game-changing suppliers to seeing first-hand the next wave of talent, Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 is where the future of packaging takes centre stage. Don’t miss the chance to connect, be inspired, and see the Future Trailblazers in action.
*The views expressed in this interview are those of Gregory Bentley and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Suntory Beverage & Food Europe.
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