Liberty Steel, which has bases in Newport and Tredegar, has a new man in charge of its UK steel operations.

Jon Ferriman, one of the UK’s most experienced steel execs, will become managing director of LSUK at the beginning of June.

Jon currently holds the position of chief technical officer, at Liberty Steel Group UK and Europe, and has been with the group since April 2019.

Jon started his career in the steel industry as a mechanical apprentice at Newport's Llanwern Steelworks and has more than 35 years' experience. His new role will take full responsibility for the UK steel organisation with full P&L responsibility and will have a key focus in continuing to develop the UK transformation programme.

Over the years Jon has held a number of senior operational, technical and strategic roles within Tata Steel UK, Corus and British Steel.

This is the latest appointment as Liberty reshapes its global executive team in the wake of the global consolidation of the group’s steel businesses.

Other recent appointments include Roland Junck as president, Liberty Steel Europe & UK and Paramjit Kahlon as CEO, Primary Steel and Integrated Mining.

Cornelius Louwrens, who is currently CEO of Liberty Steel UK will be leaving the Liberty organisation at the beginning of June. He has been with the organisation for 18 months and has played a significant role in driving the transformation of the steel businesses in the UK.