UK Steel has announced the appointment of Peter Brennan as its new director-general, taking over the leadership of the trade association at a pivotal moment for the UK steel industry. He succeeds Gareth Stace, who steps down after 12 years as director-general and will remain with UK Steel as an adviser for a short transition period before leaving the organisation.
Having worked at the heart of UK Steel’s policy and advocacy work, Mr Brennan brings extensive knowledge of the industry and the challenges and opportunities facing UK steelmakers. He takes over as the sector enters a crucial period, with the Government’s Steel Strategy setting an ambition to reverse decades of declining domestic production and increase the proportion of UK steel demand supplied by British producers.
Mr Brennan has led UK Steel’s efforts to secure greater protection from the effects of global subsidisation and overproduction. Previously he was an analyst and journalist, reporting on steel markets and the broader industry at Platts and later covering global macroeconomics and capital markets at S&P Global Market Intelligence. He said: “It is an enormous privilege to take on the role of director-general of UK Steel and represent an industry that is fundamental to our economy, our national security and our industrial future.”
He continued: “This is a hugely important moment for our sector. After decades of decline, we now have a real opportunity to rebuild UK steelmaking, increase domestic production and unlock major new investment. Turning that ambition into reality will require Government and industry to work together to tackle the longstanding barriers to competitiveness, from electricity prices and global overcapacity to investment and procurement. Gareth has been an extraordinary champion for this industry, and I am incredibly proud to follow him. My focus will be on building on everything UK Steel has achieved under his leadership and ensuring our members have the strongest possible voice as we enter this next chapter.”
Mr Stace leaves the director-general role after one of the most turbulent periods in the modern history of the UK steel industry. Since taking up the position in 2015, he has led UK Steel through the closure of Redcar steelworks, successive steel crises, Brexit, the energy crisis, unprecedented global overcapacity and major interventions in individual steel companies.
Throughout that period, Mr Stace became one of the industry's most prominent advocates, making the case for steel through successive governments and hundreds of national television, radio and media appearances. Under his leadership, UK Steel has secured major policy changes across energy costs, trade defence, public procurement and decarbonisation, while helping to establish steel as a strategic national industry at the heart of the UK's industrial policy. He said: “After 12 fantastic and at times rollercoaster years as director-general, it is time for me to hand over what I genuinely believe is one of the best jobs there is.”
He continued: “Representing this mighty industry – raw, fiery and real, and sitting at the very foundation of our manufacturing economy – has been an enormous privilege. From the devastating closure of Redcar to where we stand today, I have loved every minute of battling for steel and for the people and communities that make this industry what it is. Peter knows this industry inside out and will be a formidable champion for it. He takes over at a moment of enormous opportunity. If we are going to reverse decades of decline in UK steelmaking, the moment to do it is now, and I know UK Steel could not be in better hands.”