The chief executives of four of the UK's leading steelmakers will come together at
UK Metals Expo 2026 to discuss the future of British industry, as manufacturers continue to face challenges around trade, energy costs and industrial investment.
Rajesh Nair, CEO of
Tata Steel UK, Allan Bell, interim CEO of
British Steel, Carles Rovira, CEO of
& Steel UK, and Gary Nutter, CEO of
Sheffield Forgemasters will take part in the Steel CEOs Roundtable: Reindustrialisation, Trade and National Growth at the NEC Birmingham on 5 November.
The discussion, which will be chaired by Financial Times global shipping and industry correspondent Alice Hancock, is expected to focus on some of the most pressing issues facing UK industry. Topics including trade policy, industrial electricity prices, procurement rules and investment in domestic manufacturing are likely to feature prominently as the sector seeks to strengthen Britain's industrial base.
The participation of the four business leaders reflects the strategic importance of the steel sector to the wider economy. Decisions affecting steel production have implications far beyond the industry itself, influencing manufacturers, engineering companies, infrastructure projects and supply chains across the UK.
With the government placing increased emphasis on economic growth and industrial resilience, the roundtable is expected to provide insight into how major producers view the future of domestic manufacturing and what practical steps may be needed to support reindustrialisation.
Lord Redesdale, chair of UK Metals Expo, said bringing together the leaders of Tata Steel UK, British Steel, 7 Steel UK and Sheffield Forgemasters would provide an important opportunity to hear directly from those shaping the future of the sector.
“Bringing the leaders of Tata Steel UK, British Steel, 7 Steel UK and Sheffield Forgemasters together gives us a valuable opportunity to hear how they see the future of UK industry,” he said.
“But this is about much more than steel. Decisions on industrial capacity, trade, energy and investment have direct consequences for manufacturers, engineering businesses and the wider supply chain. They affect the cost and availability of materials, the resilience of supply and the UK’s ability to support its own industrial base.”
For attendees from across manufacturing and engineering, the session offers a rare opportunity to hear senior industry figures discuss the opportunities and challenges facing one of the UK's most important foundation industries.
The Steel CEOs Roundtable takes place at 10.30am on Thursday 5 November in Theatre 1 at UK Metals Expo. Registration and entry to the exhibition are free.