Here are some of the key highlights from the Pentawards Festival 2022, which explored the theme "Design: Where next?" and featured top packaging and design experts from companies like PepsiCo, Microsoft, Lego, IKEA, Nestle, Unilever, and more.

Last year, we launched our first-ever in-person festival, packed with a line-up of world-class industry experts sharing their expertise on the theme ‘Design: Where next?’. Spread across two days, the festival showcased cross-industry inspirational sessions from design experts both within and outside the packaging industry. These included architecture, digital, film, and automotive, featuring headline speakers such as Lily Cole, Felipe Pantone, and June Sarpong with added networking opportunities with brands like JDO, Lego, DIAGEO and more.

Our key industry topics of ‘Sustainability 2.0’, ‘Authentic Inclusivity’, ‘Essential Futures’, and overarching theme ‘Design: Where next?’ were explored through keynote speeches, debates, workshops, and more.

Design: Where next?

Leading brands and design agencies delivered talks and discussions on the unprecedented changes, insights and trends in the global packaging industry and where it is headed next.

Sustainability 2.0

With a non-negotiable attitude towards sustainability in the packaging industry, our Sustainability 2.0 sessions reflected on the following headlines: 'overcoming the barriers of sustainability, 'new materiality', and 'home-grown sustainability', explored by the below industry leaders speakers:

- Lily Cole fireside chat with Paula Chin, WWF

- Jon Marshall, Partner, Pentagram

- Mark Buckley, Strategic Design Manager, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

- Marta Suslow, Sustainability & Innovation Expert and Student, Royal College of Art

- Ming Zhao, Co-Founder, CauliBox

- Rosie Sharp, Creative Partner - Plastics and Packaging, Hubbub

- Lawrence Lartey, Director of Innovation Industry and Enterprise - Ravensbourne University London

- Lise Honsinger, COO, Noptla

- Julia Marsh, Co-Founder & CEO, Sway

- Marc Rodriguez-Garcia, Co-Founder and CTO - Xampla

Authentic Inclusivity

Aiming to make diversity and inclusivity the driving force for change within the industry, our speakers explored topics such as Packaging Responsibility, Designing for disability, and Bringing inclusivity in from the sidelines, delivered by:

- Lara Kerbaj, Head of Marketing Operations & Strategy, Blueair (part of Unilever) - UK

- Boma Krijgsman, Talent Manager & Brand Ambassador, JDO

- John Glasgow, ECD & Co-founder, Vault 49

- Kevin Marshall, Creative Director, Microsoft

- Jeremy Lindley, Global Design Director, Diageo

- June Sarpong, Broadcaster and Corporate Executive - Diversity Leader & Author of Diversify

Essential Futures

With the ever-changing nature of the packaging and design industries, our experts touched on key topics such as the top trends, digital futures and changes in consumer behaviour, delivered by:

- Mauro Porcini, SVP and Chief Design Officer, PepsiCo

- Tim Jones, Creative Director, BBC

- Felipe Pantone, Artist Ximena O'Reilly, Head of Design, Nestle

- Silke Bouchat, Head of Design, Europe Africa-Eurasia, Colgate Palmolive

- Jon Rathbone, Packaging Design Lead, Meta

- Christophe Dujardin, Global Business Development Manager Sustainability/Cold Transfer, Kurz

- Ivan Bell, Group CEO & Managing Director, Stranger & Stranger

- Emma Follett, Chief Creative Officer, Design Bridge

- Vicky Bullen, CEO,

- Coley Porter Bell + Member of Ogilvy UK Board

What to expect from the Pentawards Festival 2023?

Taking place on 9th November, the Pentawards Festival 2023 will be held in the cultural heart of London, the Science Museum in South Kensington.

This year's theme ‘Design with Purpose’ is inspired by Pentawards’ aim to leave a lasting impact on the packaging design community while addressing key themes such as AI, Accessible and Inclusive Design, ESG and Sustainability, and Designing for Gen Z.

Already, some key speakers include Stefan Segmeister, Steven Bartlett, Pantone, TikTok, and more.

Be a part of the Pentawards Festival 2023 and get your ticket now!