James Cropper Paper & Packaging has announced the appointment of Andrew Cockerill as Business Development Manager, as the company expands its reach across the UK and European corrugated and speciality paper markets.



Cockerill brings 27 years of experience across technical engineering, sales, and business development within the paper and packaging industries. He began his career as an engineering apprentice at RPC Group Limited, later specialising in polymer chemistry and material science, before moving into technical sales and commercial roles. Over the course of his career, he has held positions at DS Smith, Corrboard UK, Cartonerries Gondardennes, and Winfibre UK, managing multi-million pound portfolios and building long term customer partnerships across the UK and Europe.

“James Cropper has a reputation that genuinely stands apart. Not just for the quality of its paper, but for the depth of expertise behind it,” said Cockerill. “Joining at a time when the business is investing, evolving, and sharpening its focus across different markets made it a very easy decision.”

“It’s a great opportunity to be part of a business that can operate at both ends of the spectrum - delivering premium, highly specialised solutions while also supporting more scalable, high volume applications,” he added.

Cockerill will focus on developing the company’s corrugated and speciality paper offering, supporting volume growth while working closely with sales and technical teams to ensure customers benefit from both performance and consistency.

“The quality of the product, the capability of the technical teams, and the potential to build something cohesive across the business really stood out to me,” said Cockerill. “I’m looking forward to working closely with colleagues across the company to strengthen relationships, share knowledge, and make sure we’re delivering the best possible outcomes for customers.”
His appointment reflects James Cropper’s continued focus on combining technical expertise with commercial clarity, ensuring the business remains competitive across both specialist and high volume segments.

“We are delighted to welcome Andrew to James Cropper,” said Paul Barber, Managing Director. “He brings a rare combination of technical depth and commercial instinct, underpinned by decades of experience across the corrugated and wider packaging sectors.

“As we continue to balance premium innovation with scalable production, Andrew’s perspective will be instrumental in helping us grow in a way that is both sustainable and commercially robust, while continuing to deliver the quality and service our customers expect.”

For more information on James Cropper Paper & Packaging, its products, or latest developments, please visit www.jamescropper.com.