DS Smith, an International Paper company has confirmed the appointment of James Lomax as the new Managing Director for UK and Ireland Packaging, taking over from Paul Clarke effective 1st December 2025.
Lomax (pictured left) has a proven track record of delivering business transformation and sustainable growth within the FMCG and packaging sectors. Formerly Director of Supply Chain and Operations within the EMEA Packaging Division for DS Smith, he brings two decades of experience with a proven track record of strategic and robust leadership across multiple roles including Sales, Marketing, Innovation and Operations within his eight-year tenure at the company.
“Following the integration with International Paper, we have embarked on a transformational journey – simplifying our organisation and becoming a more efficient and agile operation to deliver superior customer experience,” said Lomax. “I have been fortunate to see first-hand the best of DS Smith both within the UK and Ireland, across EMEA, and most recently within International Paper, and I am inspired by the possibilities that lie ahead. My immediate priorities are to ensure we maintain a safe environment during this transition, and to re-immerse myself into the operations of the UK and Ireland business, getting out to meet as many sites, teams, and customers as possible.”
He concluded, “We thank Paul for his significant contribution to DS Smith and wish him every success in the future. We have a strong foundation, and I look forward to building on that as we deliver our growth agenda and create long-term value for our business and stakeholders.”
