Tata steel UK CEO Rajesh Nair appointed chair of UK Steel

Rajesh Nair, chief executive of Tata Steel UK, has been appointed as the new Chair of UK Steel, the trade association representing Britain’s steel sector. He will take on the position alongside his current role leading Tata Steel’s UK operations.

Nair brings more than 36 years of experience across the Tata Steel Group to the role. Since joining Tata Steel UK as chief operating officer in 2021 and becoming CEO in 2023, he has played a central part in reshaping the business, driving its transition to low-CO₂ steelmaking, and securing 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), Nair has held senior operational and commercial posts across Tata Steel’s global operations, from managing the Cold Rolling Mill complex at Jamshedpur to helping integrate Corus Group into Tata Steel in 2007.

Commenting on his appointment, Nair said: “It is 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 Government on its Steel Strategy and addressing structural issues like uncompetitive energy costs and the growing threat of high-emission imports.”

UK Steel director-general Gareth Stace welcomed the appointment: “Rajesh 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 Government prepares to publish its Steel Strategy this autumn.”

In addition to his UK Steel role, Nair is a board member of Tata Steel UK and chairs Surahammars Bruks in Sweden. A Fulbright Scholar with advanced management training from Carnegie Mellon University and CEDEP-INSEAD, he is a recognised technical innovator with published research and patents in galvanised steel products. He has also served on industry committees and been an active member of the Indian Institute of Metals.