NERIDA KELTON
Vice President of Sustainability & Save Food for the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and the Executive Director of the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP).
Nerida Kelton is the Vice President of Sustainability & Save Food for the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and the Executive Director of the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP). With over 27 years in the packaging industry, she has spent 25 years at the AIP, a leading body for packaging education in Australasia.
A passionate advocate for sustainable packaging, Nerida promotes circular design and waste reduction. She was honored with the inaugural Women in Packaging Hall of Fame Award and a Fellowship for her global contributions to packaging education.
Nerida serves as a technical expert for the Federal Government’s National Packaging Design Standards Working Group and advises the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO). She also leads the Save Food Packaging Consortium project and is published on the role of packaging in reducing food waste.
As a lecturer for the Master of Food & Packaging Innovation at the University of Melbourne, Nerida also coordinates the Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards. A Fellow of the AIP, she is the first woman and youngest to receive Life Membership from the Australian Supply Chain & Logistics Association.
Nerida holds degrees in Public Relations, Business, and Arts (Japanese).
SANTE CONSELVAN
Head of Jury, President of FTA Europe & CEO of I&C-Gama International Group
SanteConselvan is the President of FTA Europe (European Flexographic Technical Federation) and the CEO of I&C-Gama International Group. He is deeply involved in various packaging and graphic arts associations, earning numerous prestigious accolades such as the FTA US President’s Award, Polliccioned’Oro, and recognition from the Education Graphics Arts Association. He has also been honored as a Freeman of the City of London and is a long-standing member of TAGA Italia, where he has actively contributed to the board.
Conselvan is a highly respected and enthusiastic professional in the global flexible packaging sector, with a particular focus on the flexographic print and converting industry. His work brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including brands, designers, pre-press professionals, converters, suppliers, and GDOs, all working collaboratively to drive innovation in packaging, Industry 4.0, and the circular economy.
An Industrial Chemistry graduate from the Molinari Technical Institute in Milan, Conselvan has specialized in electronic technology for prepress scanners and page makeup after gaining international experience. He later founded I&C, a company dedicated to pioneering technological solutions for the printing and converting industries. Since 2002, he has been a key member of the management board at Gama, a company that specializes in ink control quality systems.
Conselvan’s extensive expertise in both the technical and business aspects of the packaging industry has made him a leading figure worldwide. As the Chief of Jury at the Prime Awards 2025, he brings invaluable insight and knowledge, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier professional in the global packaging community.
DR GEORGE NUBAR SIMONIAN
Dean of Applied Arts Faculty at Badr University
Dr George is the Dean of Design & Creative Arts Faculty in AHRAM Canadian University, Egypt
He is the visiting lecturer in five different universities & institutes, including Heidelberg Print Media Academy in Cairo, Alexandria Univ. Akhbar El Yom Academy & the Military Technical College.
He has a PhD in offset & digital printing, MA in Digital Imaging from London College of Printing, MSc in Offset Printing, Diploma in Offset Litho Printing, BA in Printing Packaging & Publishing and many other academic degrees from reputed institutions across the world.
He has many more accolades, roles and accomplishments across various packaging- print sectors. All of this shows how passionate he is about his professional career in print and packaging.
Dr. George has been associated with Packaging MEA magazine since its inception in 2012 and is currently a technology editor with the magazine.
SUHAS KULKARNI 苏灿
Country Head (South Asia) at SOMA
Suhas Kulkarni, Country Head for South Asia at Soma, is a highly accomplished packaging professional with almost 3 decades of experience in the dynamic flexographic printing and packaging industry. Renowned for his leadership and strategic foresight, Suhas has a proven track record of driving profitable growth, operational excellence, and exceptional customer satisfaction across the Asia Pacific region.
As a seasoned business leader, Suhas specializes in transforming and leading strategic business units, launching innovative products, and formulating go-to-market strategies that create new opportunities. His experience includes key roles such as Managing Director of Technology at DKSH, where he was responsible for the P&L of multiple business lines, spanning a wide array of industries and applications. He also successfully established and led the growth of two key business lines in alignment with DKSH’s global vision.
During his tenure as General Manager of Asia Pacific at DKSH, Suhas made significant contributions by establishing a new business line focused on printing, packaging, and converting, which provided crucial support to the flexible packaging industry throughout the region. His expertise also includes the development of critical product specifications (CTQs), competency development roadmaps, and the creation and execution of strategic business plans that drive sustained growth.
In addition to his extensive professional experience, Suhas is a certified Executive Coach and NLP Master Practitioner. His passion for leadership development extends beyond the boardroom, as he is dedicated to mentoring and empowering future leaders in the packaging and printing industries.
Suhas Kulkarni’s career reflects an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and shaping the future of flexographic printing and packaging on a global scale.
ANTHONY MURPHY
Commercial Head & General Manager at Flint Group
Anthony Murphy is the Commercial Director & General Manager at Flint Group, bringing over 15 years of expertise in the packaging and print industry. Widely recognized for his deep knowledge of printing inks, coatings, and allied solutions, Anthony has played a pivotal role in the industry throughout his career. He has held senior leadership positions at prestigious companies, including his current role at Flint Group. Before joining Flint Group, he was the Technical Sales Manager at XSYS Print Solutions in the Narrow Web Division, and also served as Technical Sales Manager at Akzo Nobel Inks in SIPCO Saudi Arabia.
Anthony’s vast knowledge stems from a solid foundation in the chemical industry, which has been further honed through his specialization in printing inks and coatings across various print processes, including flexo, gravure, offset, and digital printing.
His career is marked by an exceptional understanding of print for packaging and allied solutions, which positions him as an authority in the field. With nearly two decades of experience in the MEA (Middle East and Africa) region, Anthony has developed an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in these markets. This extensive experience makes him an invaluable asset to the Prime Awards 2025 as one of the esteemed jury members.
As flexographic printing continues to evolve, achieving increasingly higher levels of quality, definition, and vibrancy, Anthony’s expertise is especially crucial in evaluating and judging entries across flexo, gravure, and all other print processes. His technical insight, combined with a deep knowledge of the intricacies of print and converting, ensures that he can accurately assess and reward the best innovations in packaging and print.
It is of paramount importance for the Prime Awards to have a panel of judges who are not only highly knowledgeable but also neutral and objective in their evaluations. Anthony Murphy exemplifies this ideal, bringing a wealth of experience, technical acumen, and a deep commitment to professionalism in the judging process. His ability to assess the most intricate details of print, converting, embellishment, and allied technologies ensures the highest level of integrity in the awards process.
With his unrivaled industry experience and technical expertise, Anthony Murphy plays a pivotal role in upholding the credibility and excellence of the Prime Awards 2025, ensuring that the judging process reflects the highest standards of professionalism in the packaging and print industry.
SARA JACKSON
Secretary General of the Circular Packaging Association
Sara Jackson, a dual national of the UK and South Africa, has worked in various roles for Nestlé SA for 34 years, 17 of which were based in Middle East North Africa. Her experience includes senior business and executive leadership roles in regions across Africa, Middle East, and Asia.
During this time, she was instrumental in leading and supporting greenfield projects, including establishing manufacturing facilities in new markets, business restructuring, new market entries, and the integration of a major acquisition. In 2018, her roles included representation in various Industry Associations.
On leaving the corporate world in 2019, Sara established a consultancy, Green Ethics FZ LLC, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Circular Packaging Association in the UAE, focused on developing a closed-loop economic model for post-consumer packaging waste.
She supported the establishment of the National Circular Packaging Committee under the Federation of Saudi Chambers, where she serves as Technical Advisor. In these roles, Sara was involved in key initiatives, including the League of Arab States and UNESCWA, to establish a regional circular economy platform.
Recently, Sara has been appointed as Secretary General for the Circular Packaging Association and has the privilege of serving as a member of the UAE’s Circular Economy Council.
HUSSEIN SOLIMAN(BEng , MBA)
Sr. Regional Technology Leader (MEAT) at DOW Chemical IMEA GmbH
Hussein Soliman is a Senior Regional Technology Leader at Dow Chemical, overseeing operations across the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Industries Engineering and an MBA, equipping him with both technical expertise and strategic business acumen.
With over 17 years of experience, Hussein is widely recognized for his leadership in flexible packaging applications development, solutions engineering, product design, and troubleshooting. His innovative approach has fostered successful collaborations with a range of business partners, exemplifying Dow’s distinctive technical support strategy.
A strong advocate for sustainability, Hussein is dedicated to advancing the industry’s transition to a circular economy. He actively seeks collaboration opportunities to harness cutting-edge technologies that promote long-term environmental and economic benefits.
As a jury member for the Prime Awards, Hussein brings a wealth of knowledge, industry experience, and a forward-thinking vision to the evaluation process, helping shape the future of packaging innovation.
TOM HARVEY
Commercial General Manager at Spinneys
Tom Harvey is the General Manager of Commercial at Spinneys Dubai LLC, where he serves as the Operating Board Director overseeing both commercial and technical functions across a wide range of food and non-food categories. As one of seven members of Spinneys’ Executive Leadership Team, Tom is responsible for managing two premium retail brands in the Middle East, along with three global-sourcing subsidiary support companies.
With a robust background in fresh categories, Tom previously gained invaluable experience working with leading premium retailers in both the UK and UAE. His expertise in retail and supply chain management has been crucial in driving Spinneys’ growth and market positioning.
In addition to his leadership role at Spinneys, Tom is the founder and chair of the Spinneys Local Business Incubator Program. This initiative is dedicated to nurturing and scaling food manufacturing in the UAE, in line with national food security policies. Through this program, Tom is helping local businesses thrive while contributing to the country’s long-term sustainability goals.
Spinneys, a retail giant in the GCC, is known for offering high-quality products across diverse categories. With a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, Spinneys is recognized for its premium supermarket offerings, which include fresh produce, gourmet goods, and everyday essentials.
Tom’s vision and leadership continue to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth within the food industry. His active role in fostering local business development further cements Spinneys’ position as a forward-thinking and trusted brand in the region.
As a jury member for the Prime Awards, Tom brings a wealth of industry experience, a passion for sustainability, and a forward-focused approach to evaluating and recognizing excellence in packaging and supply chain innovation.
Swaminathan S V
Vice President – Supply Chain & Packaging, HAVI
With over 25 years of experience, Swaminathan S V is a renowned leader in packaging and supply chain management, specializing in sustainable packaging innovation and engineering. Currently serving as Vice President – Supply Chain & Packaging at HAVI, Swaminathan has developed a diverse and dynamic expertise across various consumer product sectors, including foods, personal care, healthcare, and food service.
Throughout his career, Swaminathan has demonstrated exceptional leadership, driving organizational success through his ability to transition seamlessly across management levels and disciplines. His focus on team collaboration and individual empowerment has been a key factor in his success.
Swaminathan’s notable achievements include strategic sustainable packaging material development, circularity initiatives, and packaging innovation. His deep expertise extends to sourcing, contracts management, packaging mold development, project management, and packaging process design. He is also well-versed in packaging cost modeling, supply chain optimization, and value engineering, ensuring that organizations achieve both operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.