Our Leadership Team

Meet the Leadership Team

Robert Pye

Chief Executive Officer

Robert is the Chief Executive Officer of Filtrona. He began his Filtrona career in 2016 as the Asia Region Operations Director of Essentra, the parent company of Filtrona at that time. Robert was then appointed as Global Business and Operations Director of the Filters Division before assuming his current position in 2022. Prior to joining Essentra, Robert was the Operations Director for Asia Pacific at Avery Dennison. He also held senior operational roles at Amcor and Bridgestone. Robert holds a Master of Business Administration from University of Adelaide, and a Bachelor of Technology in Engineering and Computer Science from University of South Australia.

Tue Saabye

Chief Financial Officer

Tue is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Filtrona, responsible for the strategic financial leadership of the company. He oversees the company’s financial processes and controls. Prior to Filtrona, Tue served as the CFO for Spectainer, Energy Drilling, Svitzer, Maersk Line, and Maersk Taiwan. He also served as Auditor at Deloitte. He holds a Master of Science in Business Economics and Auditing, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School.

Lay Moi Kow

Global Operations Director

Lay Moi (LM) is the Global Operations Director for the Filters Division of Filtrona. Before joining Filtrona, she was the General Manager of Manufacturing and Business Excellence Asia at Amcor, where she was responsible for improving performance in safety, quality, supply chain, procurement, and manufacturing functions. Prior to Amcor, LM held regional and senior management positions with various FMCG companies. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Technology in Malaysia.

Patrick Meredith

Global Strategy & Business Development Director

Patrick is the Global Strategy and Business Development Director at Filtrona, responsible for developing and implementing the company’s divisional strategy. Patrick joined Filtrona in 2003 as the Engineering Projects Manager of the Filtrona Technology Centre in Jarrow, UK. Over the years, he took on various roles of increasing responsibility before his current position. Prior to joining Essentra, Patrick was the Project Manager for Federal Mogul where he worked on capital expenditure projects in South Africa and Brazil. A Chartered Engineer, he holds a Master of Business Administration from Open University, and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Materials Science and Engineering from University of Bath.

Hywel Thomas

Global Commercial Director

Hywel is the Global Commercial Director for filters at Filtrona, and a member of the Leadership Team where he helps set the business direction by identifying and evaluating strategic options.  He began his career in the tobacco industry when he joined Essentra in 2012 as the Global Sales and Marketing Director in Singapore. In 2018, he was appointed as the Global Commercial Director to lead the global Key Account Management team and regional sales directors for Asia, Americas, and Europe. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economic and Politics from Cardiff University.

Jenny Loh​

Global Human Resources Director

Jenny is the Global Human Resources Director of Filtrona and is responsible for organisational development, talent acquisition, development and management, and succession planning. Prior to her current role, Jenny has held senior leadership roles in Human Resources with multinational corporations such as Tyco Fire & Security, Apex Tool Group, and Ingersoll Rand, including stints in Shanghai, China. Jenny holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Development from University of Manchester, and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Estate Management from National University of Singapore.

Hugo Azinheira

Global Director, Innovation and ESG

Hugo is the Global Director for Innovation and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) at Filtrona, responsible for research and development, product innovation, product development, product management and commercialisation, and ESG. Prior to joining Filtrona, he was the Innovation Manager at Japan Tobacco International in Hong Kong. He also served as Associate Scientist and Cigarette Designer at Philip Morris International. Hugo holds a degree in Material Engineering from Technical University of Lisboa in Portugal, and a post-graduate degree in Innovation Management from the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium.

Fortify Reinforcement Range

Our SupaStrip® and RippaTape® ranges were not only developed to provide superior easy opening solutions, they also deliver reinforcement to Fortify the performance of a product.

 

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Authentication Solution

Criminals are becoming ever more sophisticated in their attempts to fake goods, with some estimates suggesting that 5-9% of the annual global trade is accounted for by counterfeits.

 

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What Else Do We Solve?

VakTape™ is an easy open solution specifically developed to provide a consistent and reliable combination of easy opening and hermetic seals on modified atmosphere packs and vacuum packs.

 

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Easiliner

Our high-quality EASILINER product range provides paper-based, silicon-release liners to protect pressure-sensitive glue lines and ensures that your product will stick only when needed.

 

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Tape Applicators

Filtrona has over 50 years’ experience of designing, supplying and installing applicators that complement our tape portfolio. This means we are better equipped to understand and support your business than a standard tape supplier.

 

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RE:CLOSE Tape™

For longer-lasting freshness, powerful promotions and perfect portion control, RE:CLOSE™ TAPE brings a fresh approach to your packaging.

 

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The ECO Range

We are committed to continually develop our business to respond to evolving environmental requirements. Find out more about what our ECO Range, including Rippatape Halo – the ground breaking repulpable paper based tapes solution, can do for you.

 

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SupaStrip®

SupaStrip® enhances brand loyalty by providing a positive, easy opening experience with additional brand owner value delivered via the engagement potential of print and increased efficiencies during manufacturing.

 

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RIPPATAPE® FOR PAPER & BOARD

Rippatape® products are designed to rip through most grades of fluting and board allowing quick, easy and safe access to contents. This includes corrugated and fibreboard cartons, envelopes, paper sacks and e-commerce mailers.

 

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Performance Range

Our Performance range filter solutions for tar, carbon monoxide (CO)
and vapour reduction meet the many different government legislative demands while still providing the desired taste experience.

 

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Sensation Range

Our Sensation range is designed to appeal to your senses, enabling you to create a smoking experience that is as individual as your customers.

 

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Icon Range

Icon filters are novel but not novelties, which means you can add real value to your brand in the premium market segment. Built on Filtrona’s cornerstones of quality and innovation, the Icon range will make your brand look better and perform better too.

 

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ECO Range

As a company, Filtrona is committed to more degradable and sustainable products. The plastic-free options and higher degradability of our ECO range is evidence of this commitment.

 

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