Richard Swart
AMF Chair - Recently retired Global Sales and Quality Director, Berger Group, CEO Berger Closures
AMF Chair, Richard has more than 30 years’ experience of working in industry globally. He recently retired as Global Sales and Quality Director at the stock-listed Berger Group Europe, which manufactures metal closing rings for industrial packaging. Berger has 16 locations around the world, supplying over 50 countries.
Richard arrived from South Africa to set-up Berger Closures in Peterlee in 1988 on behalf of the German parent company. He went on to head the group in Germany, establish a new business in China - over a 5 year-period - and until recently managed key global accounts for the group, normally involving constant global travel.
Richard also Chairs the Open North Foundation – a not for profit organisation that he founded in response to supporting North East businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic. As well as being a well-connected and experienced individual Richard provides a voice to AMF members and supports collaboration between businesses.
In March 2023, Richard was appointed a Visiting Professor in Business and Law at Northumbria University.
In July 2023, Richard was appointed one of His Majesty's Deputy Lord-Lieutenants for County Durham.
