EPSA Board and Executive

Simon Pickett

President – EPSA | Chief Executive Officer – Polyfoam Australia

Simon was elected President of EPSA in June 2012 and has previously served as Chairman of the Packaging Group.

Simon is the CEO and Executive Director of the Polyfoam Australia Group of companies and is also a non-executive director of some Foamex Group companies.

Simon has literally grown up with the EPS industry and has been involved with every aspect. From packing boxes during the school holidays to tool changes, dispatch and transport, machine tuning and fault repair to plant design and construction.

Simon completed two years of applied chemistry at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology before changing over to a Bachelor of Technology at Swinburne University. Simon’s current role is administration and strategic planning for both Polyfoam and Foamex.

Nigel Ash

Vice President – EPSA | Chairman – Raw Materials Group |
Managing Director – Loyal Expanz International

Nigel commenced in his role as Vice President of EPSA and Chair of the Raw Materials Group in July 2009. Prior to this, Nigel was a raw material supplier representative on the REPSA Packaging Committee, representing both Expanz International and previously, Huntsman Chemical Company Australia.

Nigel is presently the Managing Director of Loyal-Expanz International, a supplier of raw materials and services to the Australian EPS industry sector.

Prior to acquiring the Loyal-Expanz International business in 2007, Nigel’s senior management positions have included General Manager of Huntsman Chemical Company composites division and Business Manager of Huntsman Chemical Company EPS division. His 25 years’ experience with Huntsman Chemical Company has also included roles in manufacturing, sales, technical and commercial throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Nigel holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chem) from The University of Melbourne.

Andrew Cottrell

Treasurer – EPSA | Chairman – Packaging Group | Managing Director – AndPak

Andrew is the Chairman and Managing Director of Andpak (Aust) Pty Ltd, a EPS Company with sites in Mildura and Toowoomba, Andrew has been on the board and involved in the EPS industry for over 15 years.

Andrew has completed a Bachelor of Business in Administration and is currently a Director of their Family Farming Company, and of the Wentworth & District Community Bank.

Justin Kelsey

Independent Board Member | General Manager – Foamex Group

Justin commenced his role as Treasurer of EPSA and Chair of the Pod Group in October 2015. Prior to his appointment, Justin has worked in many areas of the EPS industry, from marketing and sales to managerial roles.

Justin completed two years of Information Systems at Deakin University before changing over to Bachelor of Marketing at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Justin is currently the General Manager of Foamex Group’s Victorian and South Australian locations.

Jason Roberts

Chairman – Pod Group | Director, Pod Slab Sales

With a background in Carpentry, Building, Building Supplies, Reinforcement and Concreting – Jason Roberts has over 20 years experience in all aspects of the building and construction industry.

Jason is currently Director of Pod Slab Sales, based in NSW and specialising in EPS recycling, waffle pods and reinforcing mesh. He joined the EPSA Board in August 2019.

Scott Lehn

Chairman – Block Group | General Manager – NRG Building Systems Australia

Scott has been the general manager of NRG Building System, an EPS Manufacturing company with sites in Yatala, Murwillumbah and Coolaroo.

Scott has been employed with NRG for 18 years and has 31 years experience in the Building Construction Industry .

Scott is currently on the Standards Australia technical committee for EIFS standard.

Becher Townshend

Executive Director – EPSA | Public Officer – EPSA

Becher Townshend is the Managing Director of Font and he draws together nearly two decades as an award winning state political reporter and public relations professional.

He has been recognised by his peers winning Media Entertainment and the Arts (MEAA) Awards for Excellence in Business and Tourism Reporting as well as Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) awards for his crisis management and campaigning skills.

Primarily focussed on strategic communications advice to business, the community sector, government business enterprises and local government, Becher is one of Tasmania’s leading advisors for crisis media, reputation management, government relations and media training.

Some of his most recent work includes assisting the Tasmanian Land Tax Coalition secure a 40 per cent reduction in land tax as well as more discrete work assisting aged care providers, community sector organisations and government business enterprises manage through changes in service provision and mergers.

Becher has been recognised for his leadership skills winning the Commonwealth Bank Small Business Award in 2007 as well as being a finalist in the inaugural Tasmanian Business Leader Awards.

Graham Attwood

Technical Advisor

Graham Attwood is the immediate past President of EPSA serving as the inaugural President from July 2009 to June 2012. Graham previously held the role of REPSA Chairman (when it operated as a division under the banner of the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association, PACIA).

Graham is a Business Management Consultant.

Graham was formerly the General Manager of RMAX for 10 years. RMAX are the largest manufacturer of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) products across Australia and New Zealand.

He has over 25 years’ experience in the plastics and chemicals industries both within Australia and the United Kingdom. Graham has held senior management roles in manufacturing, commercial and technical areas for a number of organisations including Unilever, Great Lakes Chemical, ICI, Orica, Pacific BBA and Huntsman.

Graham graduated from Manchester University with an Honours degree in Chemical Engineering. He holds a post-graduate Diploma in Operations Management and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a former Director of Andpak Pty Ltd and a former Director of Manufacturing Skills Australia.