Oliver Coppard has become the first Metro Mayor in the North to sign up to the UK Steel Charter.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor signed the charter at Sheffield Forgemasters on Tuesday 19 March, alongside the South Yorkshire Business Advisory Board, in a move to promote UK-made steel in the region and help bring growth to South Yorkshire.
As Mayor for a region with Sheffield’s ‘Steel City’ at its core Mayor Coppard said that it was his priority to bring growth to the region and that there were “huge opportunities” for South Yorkshire.
South Yorkshire’s newly established Business Advisory Board is committed to growing the local economy and driving business growth. It is made up of some of region’s brightest and best business leaders, who work together with the Mayor to challenge, champion success, and ensure the business voice is heard loud and clear.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “South Yorkshire is the spiritual home of the steel industry. We were the first place to mass produce steel, we powered the first industrial revolution, and we’re now home to the world’s first advanced manufacturing district.
“Now, as the Mayor of South Yorkshire, I’m determined to restore the pride, purpose and prosperity of South Yorkshire. By signing the UK’s Steel Charter we are not just recognising our heritage, we are committing to bringing high-quality, good jobs and growth to our region, right across our region.
“Advanced manufacturing, making the materials and the machines that will power our country forward, is South Yorkshire’s lodestar, the future of our communities and our economy. That’s why it’s not just important but vital that we commit to the UK’s Steel Charter.
“It’s all the better to do so here at Sheffield Forgemasters, a company that is so central to that brighter future for both steel and South Yorkshire that we all want to see.”
The Steel Charter, first set up in 2019, supports the UK steel industry in its efforts to change the way it procures steel to include more domestic products.
Tariq Shah, Co-Chair of the Business Advisory Board, said: “Signing the UK Steel Charter underlines the Mayor’s and the Business Advisory Board’s commitment to growing South Yorkshire’s economy and supporting local businesses and supply chains.
“Our mission is to play a pivotal role in capitalising on the positive momentum in South Yorkshire, driving business success nationally and internationally. Today’s meeting with Sheffield Forgemasters and UK Steel has highlighted the huge importance of South Yorkshire steel to the local and national economy and to wider supply chains.”
The charter encourages signatories – government administrations, local authorities and private sector – to publicly signal their commitment to using UK steel in major projects.
UK steelmakers could supply industries such as energy, transport, and construction, with steel worth up to £3.8billion a year by 2030. The UK’s steel sector employs 39,800 people directly and supports a further 50,000 in supply chains.
UK Steel Director General, Gareth Stace, said: “This is a triple boost of support as Mayor Coppard, the South Yorkshire Business Advisory Board and the Combined Authority join the UK Steel Charter.
“Today’s support is even more poignant as the Charter is signed in Sheffield, the historical home of the UK steel industry.
“With major support from these business leaders, the economy and thousands of jobs in South Yorkshire and throughout the UK will reap benefits from purchasing steel that is made, processed, and delivered here in Britain.
“Why expose your project to the whims of unpredictable global supply chains, when you have the option of a reliable local business to partner with, throughout the lifetime of your project. Using UK steel is quite simply a win-win for everyone.”
Sheffield Forgemasters Chief Executive Officer, Gary Nutter, said: “The UK Steel Charter signing at Sheffield Forgemasters is timely, as we progress with substantial recapitalisation of our site to secure defence supply for decades to come.
“This company is testament to the importance of British steel production and our skills base is unique, which is why the business was acquired by the Ministry of Defence in 2021.
“As global instability shows itself through energy challenges, it is critical that we reflect on the security of domestic manufacturing capabilities.”
The UK Steel Charter is a commitment that shows how the South Yorkshire Mayor, Combined Authority and Business Advisory Board aim to change procurement processes to include more UK-made steel and support the economy.
The Charter enables government departments, devolved administrations, local authorities, and private organisations, to publicly signal their commitment to using UK steel in major projects.
