Metal Packaging Europe (MPE), has announced the departure of its President, Didier Sourisseau, EMEA President at Crown Holdings.

The new MPE President will be formally elected at the upcoming MPE AGM in June 2021. Until then, Sourisseau will be replaced by long-standing MPE Member and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors Peter Gasser, of Silgan Metal Packaging.

“I would like to thank the leadership and team at MPE for all of the great work we have done together to move the association and the industry forward,” said Didier Sourisseau. “Hard work, strong leadership and an excellent team work ethic over the past 18 months has seen Metal Packaging Europe move into another league. I am confident that I am leaving MPE in very capable hands and that the association will only continue to go from strength to strength in the coming months and years.”  

“On behalf of all at Metal Packaging Europe, I would like to thank Didier for his guidance and support throughout his tenure as MPE President,”said Leonie Knox-Peebles, CEO of Metal Packaging Europe. “Under his expert leadership, our association has made significant progress, helping to establish the metal packaging industry as a leading proponent of the EU Circular Economy and continuing to work towards our goal of making metal the preferred material for sustainable consumer and industrial packaging.”

Sourisseau took over as MPE President in December 2019, guiding the association through the challenges and uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic. In his 18 months as MPE President, the association launched a number of initiatives aimed at promoting the important role that metal packaging – which is made from an infinitely recyclable permanent material – has to play in the establishment of an EU Circular Economy. MPE also continued to grow under his leadership, welcoming two new Members.