British Steel today announces the appointment of Roland Junck as the company’s new Executive Chairman. Roland has been working with the senior management team at British Steel in an advisory capacity since the middle of June. The search for a permanent CEO is ongoing and once completed, Roland will continue as non-executive Chairman of British Steel.
Roland Junck has extensive experience in the global metals industries, especially the steel and zinc sectors. Most recently he was CEO of Nyrstar, the major global zinc producer. Roland Junck also served as the first CEO of ArcelorMittal following its creation in 2006. Prior to that he held several senior managerial positions within business units in Arcelor and its predecessors; including in the company’s long products business.
British Steel’s Commercial Director Peter Hogg said: “I am delighted to welcome Roland to our team. He is highly experienced and has a vast knowledge of the steel industry. Working in an advisory capacity, Roland has already helped us improve how we run our business and advised us on the implementation of our turnaround plan.”
Roland Junck said: “I am excited to take up the role of Executive Chairman at British Steel. Over recent weeks I have visited many of our sites and have been very impressed by the drive and determination of our employees as they continue to take the business forward. While everyone is aware of the challenges the steel industry faces, British Steel already has a strong business plan in place. I look forward to guiding the British Steel team in the delivery of that plan and taking every opportunity to make this business more successful with its customers and markets."
Greybull Partner Marc Meyohas said: ““Roland’s appointment to the position of Executive Chairman is a significant step forward for British Steel. Roland’s extensive industry experience will be most valuable to British Steel and its turnaround plan. An appointment of Roland’s calibre is a clear indication of the strong potential for the business and Greybull’s commitment to do all we can to support British Steel.”
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Notes to Editors
About British Steel
British Steel is our brand new company, created with a proud heritage and a passion to build stronger futures.
Our past has always been important to us but now we’re looking to the future, maintaining world leader status in steel production. Our steel has been, and continues to be, fundamental in creating iconic, awe-inspiring structures around the world. It helps people travel, work, eat and socialise every day. More importantly, it helps keep us safe.
As British Steel, we will be more agile and easy to do business with, which means we’ll need to be more responsive, adaptable, competitive and proactive in our markets and for our customers. We know we have passionate, hard-working, ambitious and dedicated employees and together we can create a future we are all proud to be part of.
We produce more than 2.8 million tonnes of steel every year. From this, we manufacture more than 1,450 different specifications of steel that gets rolled into wire rod, sections, special profiles and rail.
British Steel employs 4,800 people (4,400 in the UK, 400 in France). The business is made up of the following facilities: