Athena Executive Search

✨ Friday Focus: Packaging Innovation That Impressed Us This Week ✨ At Athena Consulting, we continuously explore the ideas and technologies reshaping the packaging and print landscape. This week, one innovation stood out for its ability to unite sustainability, efficiency, and an elevated brand experience. Our spotlight goes to frustration-free, mono-material flexible packaging—a solution proving that premium aesthetics and circularity can absolutely coexist. 🔍 Why This Innovation Matters - Easier, more effective recycling: Mono-material structures streamline end-of-life processing while maintaining the performance brands need. - Smarter, more sustainable printing: High-definition digital print delivers exceptional graphics with shorter lead times, reduced setup waste, and greater agility for brands. - Cost and carbon reduction: Fewer material layers translate into lighter packaging, lower logistics costs, and a meaningful decrease in overall footprint. - Premium consumer experience: Thoughtful design elements—matte textures, tactile varnishes, minimal adhesives—enhance both usability and visual impact. This innovation underscores a bigger shift: packaging that doesn’t just look good, but works harder for the brand, the consumer, and the planet. As the industry continues to evolve, solutions like these will shape the next era of responsible, high-performance packaging. 💬 What packaging or print innovation is inspiring your team right now? Share your thoughts with us—we’d love to connect with others pushing the industry forward. Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com

🚀 The Corrugated Boom Is Here — Is Your Operation Ready? E-commerce has rewritten the rules of packaging. What used to be “just a box” is now a high-performance brand experience. Print quality, structural integrity, rapid SKU changeovers — the bar has never been higher. Yet many corrugated operations are still losing ground to more agile competitors. Slow response times, high waste on short runs, and outdated production thinking are quietly eroding high-margin contracts. The real differentiator? Leadership talent that brings cross-industry innovation. High-graphics packaging, digital corrugated, automated workflows, retail-ready design — these are no longer “nice to have” skills. They’re the new competitive edge. And here’s the shift most companies miss: You don’t have to hire only from corrugated. Some of the strongest innovators come from folding carton and flexible packaging, where speed, graphics, and precision are standard. At Athena Executive Search, we help packaging organizations build leadership teams capable of transforming operations and capturing new market share in the e-commerce era. If your corrugated business is ready to evolve, the right talent can make it happen. 👉 Let’s talk about strengthening your leadership bench. Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com #Corrugated #PackagingIndustry #Ecommerce #DigitalPrint #ExecutiveSearch #LeadershipRecruitment #AthenaExecutiveSearch

🌍 5 Packaging Trends That Will Define the Next Decade — A Transatlantic Perspective The global packaging sector is undergoing rapid transformation. From heightened sustainability demands to the rise of intelligent packaging, companies across North America and Europe are navigating a period of unprecedented change. At Athena Executive Search, we’ve identified the five trends that will have the biggest impact on the industry in the coming decade: 🔹 Sustainability becomes standard – With rising regulatory pressure and consumer expectations, eco-friendly materials and circular systems will become non-negotiable. 🔹 Digitalisation accelerates – AI, automation, and smart factories will redefine efficiency and production capabilities. 🔹 Consumer-centric design prevails – Brands will invest more in functional, intuitive, and emotionally resonant packaging. 🔹 Intelligent and connected packaging grows – QR codes, RFID, and digital touchpoints will enhance transparency and customer engagement. 🔹 Circular economy models strengthen – Reusable, refillable, and closed-loop systems will reshape long-term strategy. These shifts highlight a critical need for forward-thinking leadership—professionals capable of guiding transformation, championing sustainability, and navigating the complex regulatory and technological landscapes ahead. At Athena Executive Search, we specialise in helping packaging organisations secure the high-impact leaders who will define the future of the industry. 👉 If your business is preparing for its next chapter in a rapidly evolving landscape, let’s talk. Contact Athena Executive Search to begin building the leadership strength that will carry your organisation into the next decade. Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com

🌍 The Ink Revolution: Are You Ready for What’s Coming? The shift toward UV, LED, EB, and water-based inks is accelerating across the print and packaging industry — and with it comes a new level of complexity. Choosing the right ink technology isn’t just a technical decision anymore… it’s a strategic one. That’s why we created our latest carousel: “UV, LED, EB, Water-Based: Navigating the Ink Jungle Without Getting Lost.” In it, we break down: 🔹 The challenges of transitioning to modern ink systems 🔹 The costly pitfalls companies face when ink and process don’t align 🔹 Why the future requires leaders who understand both chemistry and production 🔹 How organisations can make smarter, more confident technology decisions The industry is evolving fast — but with the right people, the transition doesn’t have to be painful. 📣 Call to Action If your organisation is adopting new ink technologies or struggling with curing, adhesion, or process reliability, the right talent will determine the success of your transition. 👉 Connect with Athena Executive Search to secure ink technologists, process experts, and leaders who can guide your shift with confidence. Let’s build teams that keep your pressroom running smoothly — and your business ahead of the curve. Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com

⏱️ The 7-Second Rule: Packaging Makes the First Impression Happy Friday from Athena Executive Search! 🎉 Did you know the average consumer decides whether to pick up a product in just seven seconds? In those seven seconds, packaging is everything — the design, the messaging, the materials, the print quality. It’s where brands win attention, earn trust, and stand out on a crowded shelf. And behind every impactful package is a team of talented professionals bringing strategy, creativity, engineering, and precision together. At Athena Executive Search, we specialise in finding the people who make these seven seconds count, supporting companies across: 📦 Packaging Innovation & Design 🖨️ Print & Production 🌱 Sustainable Materials & Solutions 🏭 Operations, Sales & Leadership As the packaging and print industry continues to evolve, we’re proud to connect organisations with the experts who turn those first seven seconds into long-term brand loyalty. Wishing everyone a strong end to the week — and a weekend full of great first impressions! Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com #SevenSecondRule #Packaging #PrintIndustry #ExecutiveSearch #Recruitment #PackagingDesign #BrandImpact #AthenaExecutiveSearch #FridayFeeling

The Great Substrate Shift is here — and it’s reshaping the future of print & packaging. Sustainability pressures, regulatory demands, and cost volatility are accelerating the move away from traditional materials. But while technology and substrates evolve fast, many organisations are discovering a critical gap: their talent isn’t evolving at the same pace. In our latest carousel, we break down: 🔹 The Challenge — Why the shift to recycled, lightweight, and alternative materials is disrupting operations. 🔹 The Pain Point — How lack of substrate expertise leads to delays, inefficiencies, and waste. 🔹 The Leadership Gap — Why this moment requires leaders with material science awareness, innovation experience, and cross-functional agility. 🔹 What to Do Differently — How to hire for future capability, not historical skill sets. The substrate landscape is changing rapidly. The question is: Is your leadership team ready for what’s next? At Athena Executive Search, we help print & packaging organisations secure future-ready leaders who can navigate material innovation, drive sustainable transformation, and build operational resilience. 👉 View the full carousel to explore the insights. 👉 Contact us if you're ready to strengthen your leadership pipeline for the new material reality. Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com

From Labour Shortages to Leadership Gaps: Navigating the Workforce Crisis in Print & Packaging The print and packaging sector is experiencing a pivotal shift. While automation, sustainability, and evolving customer demands continue to reshape the market, organisations now face a deeper strategic challenge: a shrinking talent pipeline and widening leadership gaps. Skilled labour shortages are disrupting production capacity, while the absence of strong succession planning and future-ready leaders is creating vulnerabilities at the senior level. In an industry undergoing transformation, the demand for strategic, adaptive, and commercially minded leaders has never been greater. Forward-thinking companies are responding by modernising talent strategies, investing in skills development, prioritising retention, and strengthening leadership pipelines. Yet securing the right leaders in today’s competitive landscape requires a specialist approach. At Athena Executive Search, we partner with print and packaging organisations to identify and appoint the leaders who will drive transformation, operational excellence, and long-term growth. If your organisation is navigating workforce or leadership challenges, now is the time to take action. 👉 Read our latest insights on how companies can build resilient, future-ready teams and overcome the industry’s workforce crisis. 📩 Contact Athena Executive Search to discuss how we can support your leadership strategy. Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com

The print industry is at a pivotal moment. While technology, sustainability, and customer expectations accelerate, too many businesses are standing still — assuming the future will look like the past. It won’t. Our latest carousel, “The Print Business of 2030: What You Need to Start Doing Today,” outlines the critical shifts forward-thinking print leaders must act on now: 🔹 Automation to streamline workflows and boost productivity 🔹 Sustainable inks and materials to meet rising environmental expectations 🔹 A truly customer-first strategy that integrates both digital and print experiences The companies that win in 2030 won’t be the ones with the biggest equipment budgets — they’ll be the ones with the strongest leadership vision and the agility to evolve. At Athena Executive Search, we partner with print businesses that refuse to be complacent. We help them build the leadership talent needed to innovate, transform, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. If you’re ready to build a team that shapes the future — not reacts to it — let’s talk. 📩 Connect with us to discuss your senior talent needs and prepare your organisation for 2030 and beyond. Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com

🌍 Industry Fact Friday Did you know that the global print and paper sector accounts for roughly 1% of total CO₂ emissions worldwide? According to WorldAtlas, “the paper and print industry accounts for about 1% of the carbon dioxide produced globally.” For Athena Executive Search, serving leadership in packaging and print companies, that stat isn’t just a fun fact — it’s a conversation starter. 🔹 “Sustainability” is no longer a side project — it’s a strategic leadership competency. 🔹 Executive roles in this sector increasingly demand fluency in ESG metrics — from carbon footprint reduction to renewable sourcing. 🔹 When hiring senior talent, it’s vital to recognise that packaging and print are part of the climate equation — and therefore, core to business strategy. 💡 Tip for your network: Ask leaders, “How are you aligning your print and packaging operations with your decarbonisation roadmap?” It’s a simple question that sparks meaningful dialogue and demonstrates forward-thinking leadership. ✨ Call to Action: At Athena Executive Search, we connect packaging and print leaders who are driving sustainability transformation. If your organisation is ready to build its future leadership team — or if you’re an executive seeking a role where sustainability matters — let’s start the conversation. 👉 Message us directly Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com or visit athena-executive.com to learn more.

📦 Smart Packaging 2.0: Moving Beyond QR Codes Smart packaging is evolving fast — and it’s reshaping how brands connect with consumers and manage their supply chains. What started with simple QR codes has now transformed into intelligent, connected systems that offer real-time data, transparency, and engagement. 🔍 Smart Packaging 2.0 is about more than scanning a label. It’s about integrating IoT, AI, and sustainability to deliver: ✅ Deeper consumer insight and personalization ✅ End-to-end supply chain visibility ✅ Greater trust, traceability, and brand value For packaging companies, this isn’t just innovation — it’s a leadership opportunity. The future belongs to organizations that can bridge technology, data, and design to create packaging that truly thinks. At Athena Executive Search, we partner with packaging and technology innovators to help them find the leaders shaping this next era of connected packaging. 📩 Are you ready to lead in Smart Packaging 2.0? Let’s connect and build the leadership teams driving the future of intelligent, sustainable packaging. 🌐 www.athena-executive.com Email: enquiries@athena-executive.com #SmartPackaging #SupplyChainVisibility #PackagingInnovation #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #ConsumerEngagement #AthenaExecutiveSearch #Leadership #FutureOfPackaging