Britvic appoints Tom Fiennes as new Commercial Sustainability Director

02 Nov 2020

Britvic has appointed Tom Fiennes as the new Commercial Sustainability Director for Great Britain, as the company continues its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

With over 25 years of FMCG experience, Fiennes moves from his role as Britvic’s Director of Strategic Change Programmes, having previously held roles at Heineken, Carlsberg, Premier Foods and Mars.

Fiennes will be responsible for delivering Britvic’s Healthier People Healthier Planet strategy through a focus on packaging, water and carbon programmes, as well as employees and communities. He is also the chairperson of the LGBTQ+ network, B-Proud, and a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee at Britvic.

Paul Graham, Managing Director at Britvic, commented: “Tom has a passion for sustainability and mentorship, so I have no doubt that he will make this role his own and help the business to not only meet and exceed our sustainability targets, but also help to further enhance our inclusivity programmes and policies.

“We recently announced our intention to make all of our plastic bottles in GB from 100% recycled plastic (rPET) by the end of 2022 – surpassing our previous target of 50% rPET by 2025. Tom’s qualifications in coaching in and outside of work will help him guide and collaborate with his team to drive this target forward and I look forward to working with him on this, and many other projects.”

Of his appointment, Fiennes said: “There could be no better time to take up this role and I look forward to delivering our sustainability goals and commitments.

“Britvic’s recent rPET announcement is another step towards bringing about a world where great packaging never becomes waste. Our suppliers and customers recognise the importance and urgency of our vision and the need to save water, boost recycling and cut carbon emissions to ensure a sustainable future. I look forward to working with them to meet these challenges together.”

Fiennes succeeds Trystan Farnworth who has taken on the new role of Commercial Director for Britvic in Ireland.

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Britvic announces move to 100% recycled plastic bottles in GB by the end of 2022

Britvic announces its intent for all plastic bottles in GB to be made from 100% recycled plastic (rPET) by the end of 2022 – surpassing its previous target of 50% rPET by 2025. This will cover the entire GB portfolio of Britvic-owned and PepsiCo brands, and demonstrates both companies’ commitment to sustainability and to a healthier planet.

This is the latest in a series of sustainable business measures, including Britvic’s recent move in Ireland to rPET for Ballygowan 500ml bottles and Fruit Shoot Hydro switching to 100% rPET in September.

More broadly, Britvic recognises its role in reducing the environmental impact of its packaging and is committed to creating a world where packaging never becomes waste. As a founding signatory of The UK Plastics Pact, the business has already removed more than 1,500 tonnes of primary plastic from its supply chain since 2017 – and all its primary packaging is already fully recyclable.

Britvic recognises the responsibility it has in helping create a circular economy. In 2019, the company entered into a long-term agreement with Esterform Packaging Limited, the UK largest convertor of PET, for the supply of recycled plastic. Alongside the agreement, Britvic provided a £5m investment support package for the construction of new state-of-the-art rPET manufacturing facilities, to be powered by 100% renewable energy sources, at their site in North Yorkshire. In 2019, Britvic joined a cross-industry consortium to promote a ground-breaking recycling technology called BP Infinia that allows opaque and difficult to recycle PET plastic waste can be made into new plastic again and again.

Contact:

For further press information, please contact the Britvic team at Cirkle.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01494 731 750
All reader enquiries should be directed to: Customer Services, Britvic Soft Drinks on 0345 7581781

About Britvic

Britvic is one of the leading branded soft drinks businesses in Europe and South America. Britvic currently operates in and exports to over 50 countries, and is the largest supplier of branded still soft drinks in Great Britain and the number two supplier of branded carbonated soft drinks in GB.

The company combines its own leading brand portfolio including Robinsons, Purdey’s, Drench, Tango, J₂O, Fruit Shoot, Teisseire, Maguary, Dafruta, Bela Ischia, Ballygowan and MiWadi with PepsiCo brands such as Pepsi, 7UP and Lipton Ice Tea which Britvic produces and sells in GB and Ireland under exclusive PepsiCo agreements.

Britvic’s management team has successfully developed the business through a clear strategy of generating profitable growth in our core markets and international expansion, driven by innovation, investment in our business capability, and building trust and respect in the communities we serve and operate in. The strategy is based on creating and building a portfolio of scalable brands that offers drinks for kids, families, and adults, anywhere, at any time – helping to make everyone’s every day moments more enjoyable.

Britvic is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the code BVIC and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index. Britvic is also listed on The FTSE4Good Index which identifies companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The company has also been awarded an A-rating for its sustainability programme by investor analysts MSCI.

As a founding signatory of The UK Plastics Pact, Britvic understands the growing importance of sustainability. All of its products and advertisements feature clear recycling messages and, since 2017, the company has saved 1,500 tonnes of plastic through lightweighting its bottles. Another 500 tonnes will be saved this financial year. Britvic first introduced recycled plastic (rPET) into its products in 2010. In 2019, an industry-wide lack of quality rPET saw it invest £5m in a UK-based plastic recycling facility.