LIBERTY Hosts Officials for Talks on Growth and Skills

Last week, the LIBERTY Speciality Steels team was pleased to host local authorities at our Rotherham and Stocksbridge sites.

On the 12th of March, we welcomed Tom Bousfield, Director of Growth, Business and Skills from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), Paul Johnson, Head of Economic Policy at SYMCA, and Tim O’Connell from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

We engaged in productive discussions regarding the future of steel development and business growth in South Yorkshire, with a particular emphasis on creating new apprenticeship opportunities and enhancing local skills within the manufacturing sector. 

The guests also visited our Training Centre and Advanced Machining Centre in Stocksbridge. 

Jeff Kabel, Chief Transformation Officer for LIBERTY Steel Group, highlighted the significant potential of our Speciality Steel sites in supplying high-grade materials to the aerospace, defence, and energy sectors globally, as well as their crucial economic and social impact on our local communities.

The following day, the LIBERTY Speciality Steels team had the pleasure of hosting Marie Tidball, Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge, at our Stocksbridge site.

During her visit, Marie met with Jeff Kabel, Chief Transformation Officer for LIBERTY Steel Group, Mick Hood, HR Director for LIBERTY Steel UK, Greg Clarke, Chief Operating Officer for LIBERTY Speciality Steels, and Neil Hanson, Head of Operations for LIBERTY Speciality Steels in Stocksbridge and Brinsworth. Together, they discussed business updates, current challenges, and future plans. 

As part of the visit, Marie and her team toured the Billet Mill and Advanced Machining Centre, where they had the opportunity to speak with employees.

Marie Tidball commented:

“As MP, I’ve been advocating for our Stocksbridge steel site since day one. It was fascinating to see first-hand how LIBERTY Speciality Steel transforms steel into products with specialist properties, used across industries such as aerospace and industrial engineering, with the potential to contribute to key government strategies, such as net zero.

Jeff, Mick, Greg, and Neil’s passion for steel is evident in their work. Their dedication and expertise, along with that of the employees I spoke to on site, is part of what makes the steelworks so special.

It’s a legacy that has endured for generations in Stocksbridge and our other South Yorkshire communities. We have a wealth of specialist steel capability right here, unique to Stocksbridge, and I’m championing South Yorkshire as a key steel corridor in the UK.”

Jeff Kabel said:

“Marie is a strong advocate for the steel industry and her constituents, many of whom work for our company. We appreciate her support for the manufacturing sector in South Yorkshire, and LIBERTY Steel UK in particular.

It was valuable to welcome her today and discuss our views on the upcoming steel strategy consultation. We will continue to work closely with Marie, regional authorities, and businesses to present a united front and secure a stable future for steel in South Yorkshire. LIBERTY has the necessary assets, skills, and capabilities to become the UK’s leading hub for supplying steel to the aerospace, defence, and energy sectors, both domestically and globally. A key focus of our discussions was skills development and apprentice training, which we consider vital for business growth.”