Retired Packaging Executive with Sustainability & Circular Economy Expertise

Headshot of Christopher Watson

I am very honoured to work with the ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï and join the Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme. I cannot wait to support enterprising students, helping to create greater access opportunities and develop the next generation of business leaders.

Chris Watson, Retired Packaging Executive

Chris Watson is a retired Packaging Executive with Sustainability & Circular Economy Expertise

With extensive experience in the packaging industry and a passion for sustainability, Chris is committed to helping university students and recent graduates develop the skills and insights needed to excel in today’s complex professional environment. Drawing on a career that has spanned leadership roles at national and regional levels, Chris focuses on three key areas to support emerging talent:

  1. Navigating the Transition from a Linear to a Circular Economy – Drawing from his expertise in tackling plastic waste and implementing innovative closed-loop systems, Chris provides practical guidance on shifting from traditional linear models of production and consumption to more sustainable circular approaches, equipping students to address pressing environmental and business challenges.

  2. Fostering Intrapreneurship – Through his experience leading strategic initiatives within multinational organisations, Chris helps students develop the mindset and tools to drive meaningful change within their future workplaces.

  3. Strategic Preparation for Recruitment – With a deep understanding of business challenges and strategy, Chris equips students to excel in interviews by diagnosing the key issues facing prospective employers and crafting tailored solutions. His approach helps candidates gain a deeper understanding of the organisations they aspire to join, enabling them to stand out during the recruitment process.

Chris’s commitment to sustainability deepened during his time with Sealed Air, where he led high-profile projects and earned recognition for advancing resource efficiency and circularity. His notable achievements include leading an award-winning circular economy initiative, driving strategic planning for the EMEA Food Care division, and shaping corporate sustainability objectives.

A Chartered Engineer with a BEng (Hons) from Southampton Solent University, Chris is also a member of the advisory group for the UKRI Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging programme.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Chris enjoys cycling, sailing, skiing, trekking, and reading.

Through his mentorship, Chris aims to inspire the next generation to lead with purpose, embrace innovation, and contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future.

Chris offers particular expertise in:

  • Supply Chain & Manufacturing

  •  Business Planning & Strategy

  • Process Improvement

  • Plastic Packaging

  • Sustainability & Circularity

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