Tata Steel UK CEO appointed chair of UK Steel

Rajesh Nair, Tata Steel UK’s chief executive, has been appointed as the new chair of UK Steel, the representative body for the UK’s steel industry. This is a role he will undertake in addition to his existing responsibilities at Tata Steel UK.

Mr Nair brings over 36 years’ experience across the Tata Steel Group to this leadership role. Since joining Tata Steel UK as chief operating officer in 2021 and becoming CEO in 2023, he has played a central role in reshaping the business, advancing its transition to low-CO₂ steelmaking, and helping secure the future of domestic steel production in South Wales and beyond.

A graduate in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Rajesh has held several senior operational and commercial roles across Tata Steel Group. He has overseen major transformation programmes across global sites – from managing the Cold Rolling Mill complex at Jamshedpur to playing a key role in the integration of Corus Group into Tata Steel in 2007.

Real opportunities to strengthen steel sector
Mr Nair said: “It’s an honour to be appointed chair of UK Steel at such a pivotal moment for the industry. This is a period of profound change – with significant challenges, but also real opportunities to strengthen the sector for the long term. I look forward to working with UK Steel members and stakeholders to help secure that future – working closely with the Government on its Steel Strategy and addressing structural issues like uncompetitive energy costs and the growing threat of high-emission imports”.

Gareth Stace, UK Steel’s director-general, said: “The appointment of Rajesh as chair of UK Steel is excellent news for both UK Steel and our industry as a whole, and he will bring a wealth of experience across both the global and UK steel industry to this role. His appointment could not have come at a better time as our industry looks to modernise and grow as the Government prepares to publish its Steel Strategy this autumn.”

Nr Nair is a Board member of Tata Steel UK and chairs Surahammars Bruks in Sweden. He is a Fulbright Scholar with advanced management training from Carnegie Mellon University and CEDEP-INSEAD. A recognised technical innovator, he holds published research and patents in galvanised steel products, and has been a member of committees and the Indian Institute of Metals.