The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has appointed Kmart exec and current APCO Board member, Chris Foley, as its new CEO.
For over eight years, Foley has led strategic and transformational change in sustainability at Kmart Group. His breadth of experience has included many complex system changes across sustainability, marketing, product stewardship, communications and corporate affairs in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the US.
Foley has represented a brand owner and has served as a non-executive director of the APCO Board since 2019. He is also the current chair of the APCO Board’s Audit and Risk Committee.
Foley will be taking over from current CEO Brooke Donnelly, who is stepping down in July after five years in the position.
“This appointment comes at a critical juncture as Australia continues working towards the achievement of the 2025 National Packaging Targets,” said Sam Anderson, chair of APCO.
“His experience will be a significant asset to members and as APCO partners with broader industry to achieve Australia’s packaging sustainability goals.
“The Board is confident that Chris will draw on valuable skills and real-world experience with all parts of the packaging ecosystem, as well as bring together the key stakeholders capable of driving the change.”
Foley said he was thrilled to be appointed to lead APCO at this pivotal time for the packaging landscape in Australia.
“APCO’s leadership has been inspiring and I’m looking forward to working closely with members and government to build on this crucial work,” Foley continued.
“The development of a true circular economy for sustainable packaging is at the forefront of everything APCO works to achieve.”
The APCO Board reiterated its thanks to outgoing CEO Brooke Donnelly for her dedication to the role and APCO’s members.
“I wanted to once again thank APCO’s members, the broader industry, our partners in government, and the APCO Board for all the hard work to advance packaging sustainability over the past five years,” commented Donnelly.
“Australia is in a fantastic position to achieve the 2025 National Packaging Targets, and Chris is the right person to champion this work moving forward.”
Foley will start in the role in August 2022.
