Easyfairs UK & Global appoints business development director for packaging portfolio

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Easyfairs UK & Global has appointed Josh Brooks to drive growth in its global packaging portfolio.

Brooks, previously publisher of Packaging News and Electronics Weekly, joins as business development director - packaging.

Within this new role for Easyfairs and reporting to global brand director Paul MacDonald, Brooks’ remit will cover three key focuses: research and find new territories for the company’s existing event brands; identifying opportunities for the launch of new brands within the packaging sector; and to developing content strategy for the group’s growing packaging portfolio.

Easyfairs is organiser of the largest global portfolio of packaging events, and has developed a specialism in events that create value for the packaging community it serves. Its collection of shows spans 38 events across 19 cities and 12 countries, attracting over 100,000 visitors and 3,500 exhibitors each year.

These brands cover both broad industry events and ultra-niche shows that run across Europe, North America and Asia, including: Packaging Innovations, Empack, Label&Print, Luxury Packaging, Aerosol Dispensing Forum (ADF), Packaging of Perfumery, Cosmetics & Design (PCD) and global design awards ceremony Pentawards.

Brooks’ extensive experience in editorial and publishing includes expertise in understanding markets, forging connections with key industry figures and personalities, and content.

Since 2008 Brooks worked first as editor, and latterly publisher of Packaging News. Prior to that he worked within the editorial team on PrintWeek for more than four years.

Paul MacDonald said: “I couldn’t be more delighted to have attracted someone of Josh’s calibre from within the packaging industry. He comes with an excellent reputation, great connections and knowledge of the global packaging industry that is second to none. As a group, we can’t move fast enough with our ambitions and growth for our packaging portfolio, and I know Josh will be central to our future and our vision to be the global leader in ultra-niche markets.”

Josh Brooks said: “I’m really looking forward to this new chapter in my career. Through Packaging News, I’ve worked closely with Easyfairs for nearly 10 years as Official Media Partner on its UK packaging events and have always been impressed by the company’s ambitious and professional culture and its commitment to delivering the best events possible for the communities it serves. Packaging is a fascinating industry and full of great people, so I’m thrilled to be staying in the sector. I can’t wait to get stuck into this new role and to be part of the fantastic Easyfairs team.”