Board
As a not-for-profit entity, the initial Board is planned to comprise a mix of experienced independent directors, and brand and retailer directors who are funding the scheme’s establishment. The Board will have responsibility for oversight, governance and operation of the scheme. The Board will ensure the scheme meets community, environment, financial and legal obligations, including all relevant ACCC approvals.
SPSA Chair: Kate Dryden
Kate is a Partner at Sphere Infrastructure, a boutique advisory firm that she co-founded in 2018. Sphere’s service offering focuses on environmental infrastructure businesses and projects, assisting investors, contractors, industry and government to develop infrastructure and drive a more sustainable future.
Kate regularly works with local councils and the private sector on resource recovery projects.
Prior to founding Sphere, Kate worked as an Executive in legal and commercial roles for Veolia Australia and New Zealand and a carbon project developer in Washington DC.
Kate also practised as a lawyer at Mallesons and Baker & McKenzie in environmental and climate change law.
Kate is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course and has Law and Asian Studies degrees from the Australian National University.
SPSA Deputy Chair: Ken Noye
Ken originally hails from Goondiwindi in Southwest Queensland. He has more than 35 years leadership experience in executive and operational business management, recycling, logistics and supply chain.
Ken was the inaugural CEO for Container Exchange Ltd (COEX), the Product Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for Queensland’s successful beverage container recycling scheme.
In his role as COEX CEO, Ken reported to a Board of nine directors and was responsible for developing and implementing the COEX strategic plan to establish Queensland’s beverage container refund scheme, Containers for Change.
Before joining COEX as Chief Executive Officer, Ken held executive management roles at Aurizon Holdings Ltd, Toll Holdings Ltd and the Australian Defence Force. Ken has negotiated, mobilised and managed large logistics services contracts across Australia as well as internationally in Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Ken is a graduate of the University of New South Wales, Deakin University, the University of Canberra and the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
Bill Heague
Bill Heague is the General Manager of Mars Food Australia, manufacturing some of Australia’s favourite Brands such as MasterFoods, Dolmio & Ben’s Original on NSW’s Central Coast. Prior to taking this role, Bill was the General Manager of the Mars business in Ireland & prior to that in the Czech Republic & Slovakia.
Bill has a passion for furthering the role industry can play in solving societal & sustainability challenges, in particular the areas of GHG reduction, packaging circularity, food nutrition, as well as food waste & insecurity.
Cate Harris
Cate Harris is the General Manager Sustainability at Coles Group, joining in February 2026 to lead the company’s long‑term environmental and community impact agenda. Cate brings more than 20 years of experience delivering sustainability strategies across public and private sectors, including senior executive roles at the UN Global Compact Network Australia and Lendlease, where she led the company’s Mission Zero Strategy, 1.5‑degree aligned targets, and global sustainability framework refresh.
Recognised as an Eco‑Business Sustainability Leadership A‑List winner and one of FS Sustainability’s 50 Most Influential Corporate ESG Leaders in 2023, Cate has also held governance roles with ResponsibleSteel and Lendlease’s FutureSteps.
Cate is known for her collaborative leadership, passion for innovation, and commitment to driving measurable positive impact through ambitious, future‑focused sustainability initiatives.
 Paris Golden Paris Golden has worked in Food & Beverage manufacturing and Consumer Healthcare in a career spanning 30 years. Originally from the UK, Paris began his career at PepsiCo which included an assignment with Smith’s Snackfoods in Australia from 1999-2001. Following a return to the UK and roles with GlaxoSmithKline, Nestle and Premier Foods, Paris returned to Australia with the Coca-Cola Company in 2007 with responsibility for Commercial Development across the Asia Pacific region. This included a period living and working in China from 2010-2012. Paris joined McCormick Foods in 2015 based in Melbourne and is responsible for operations across Australia and New Zealand. McCormick are the global leader in flavour with a portfolio of leading herbs, spices, seasonings and condiment brands. In addition McCormick is a major supplier to the restaurant, foodservice and consumer goods industries globally. Paris is a non-executive director of GS1 Australia and the Australian Food & Grocery Council. Paris holds bachelors and masters degrees in Engineering from the University of Oxford and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. |
Stakeholder Advisory Council
SPSA, in collaboration with Planet Ark, is establishing a Stakeholder Advisory Council. This body aims to foster collaboration, engagement, and support from all stakeholders across the entire soft plastics supply chain. It will include representation from relevant government bodies, industry associations, supply chain participants and external experts, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded perspective. To further strengthen cross-representation and ensure effective communication with SPSA’s leadership, a designated director of the Board will also be a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Council.
SPSA expects the Stakeholder Advisory Council to be in place in late-2025.
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