Insights

By Tamar Fransman, Managing Partner Germany

Across Europe, policymakers, businesses, and consumers are increasingly aligned on the urgency of reducing packaging waste through reuse and regeneration — fostering a circular economy in the segment. The European Union has taken significant strides toward setting ambitious goals for sustainable packaging, aiming to minimize environmental impact while maintaining competitiveness and innovation.

The European Union’s Policy Momentum

The European Union’s ambitious sustainability agenda is reshaping how businesses approach the transition to sustainable packaging. The EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and Packaging Waste Regulation set targets for cutting waste, boosting recyclability, and promoting reuse. These measures require companies to improve packaging design by following eco-design principles and reducing life-cycle impacts. And meeting these requirements is not just a compliance issue—it’s a leadership challenge.

Companies are responding with material innovation, reusable systems, and smarter design strategies. From biodegradable and compostable materials to refillable packaging models, businesses are adapting not only to regulatory requirements but also to shifting consumer expectations. Early movers are seizing competitive advantages by positioning themselves as sustainability leaders.

Effective Transformation Requires Strong Leadership

To navigate this transition successfully, leaders must foster a mix of strategic foresight, organizational agility, and collaborative execution. Core leadership requirements for this transformation include:

• Visionary Leadership with a Sustainability Lens — Leaders must define a clear, future-oriented vision that aligns business goals with sustainability commitments. This means going beyond compliance to frame sustainability as a competitive advantage — driving innovation in product design and supply chain processes
• Deep Regulatory Understanding — The EU’s sustainability framework is complex and rapidly evolving. Leaders must stay informed about requirements for recyclability, single-use reduction, deposit return schemes, and extended producer responsibility (EPR). Ignorance or delay risks not only fines but reputational damage
• Investment in Innovation and R&D — Meeting EU goals often requires more than minor adjustments — it demands redesigning packaging with new materials and formats. Leaders must prioritize investments in R&D and pilot programs that accelerate innovation while balancing functionality, cost, and sustainability
• Supply Chain Collaboration — Packaging sustainability cannot be solved in isolation. Leaders must orchestrate collaboration across suppliers, logistics providers, recyclers, and retailers to ensure materials are not only designed for recycling but also collected and reprocessed effectively

Beaumont Group recently partnered with two companies to recruit executives for leadership positions in this critical area. One company is a manufacturer of packaging materials, and the other is a global supplier of packaging machinery. The positions — CEO and VP Sales Global — called for experience in leadership, adaptability, and an emphasis on circular, low-impact solutions.

We successfully identified two leaders for these clients who possess expertise in material innovation, logistics efficiency, and environmental imperatives influencing customer expectations. Both individuals demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental responsibility while delivering commercial results; they are highly skilled in the technical aspects of packaging, adept at navigating complex markets and regulatory environments, balancing innovation with sustainability, and driving sales without losing sight of long-term impact.

Both search mandates enabled us to extend beyond traditional search and recruitment approaches, allowing us to contribute to and shape the future of packaging leadership —where commercial achievement and sustainability are equally prioritized.

The EU’s transition to sustainable packaging is a leadership challenge, not just a technical one. Success requires vision, regulatory literacy, cross-functional innovation, and cultural commitment. Those leaders who embrace this transformation proactively will not only stay compliant but also strengthen brand trust, unlock new market opportunities, and future-proof their organizations.

Beaumont Group’s approach enables us to discover leaders able to meet our client’s business imperatives and today’s market requirements. These two projects also facilitated our goal of being at the forefront of the sustainability initiatives we believe are critical to our future.

If your organisation is facing comparable challenges in identifying pivotal leadership, or is interested in understanding how talent strategies can advance climate-resilient business practices, we would welcome the opportunity to share our insights.

To learn more about how Beaumont Group can support your leadership and talent strategies, contact Tamar Fransman at tfransman@beaumontgroup.com.