Bessemer Gold Medal for Liberty's Jon Bolton

Bolton has more than 35 years of experience in the steel industry at home and abroad and was chosen, said Liberty, 'due to widespread recognition of his position as one of the most prominent and widely-respected figures in the UK industry.

He joined Liberty in 2016 and since being on board has led the growth of the business 'first as CEO for the UK and more recently in managing the EUR740 million acquisition of seven steel sites across Europe, which was announced on 1 July 2019.

On the international stage, Bolton was part of the team that constructed and ran the TRICO minimill in Decatur, Alabama. He led the engineering steels and rail businesses for Corus and managed Tata Steel's Teeside Cast Products and Long Products Division.

The Bessemer Gold Medal is awarded annually by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining to those recognised as providing outstanding contributions to the UK steel industry.

Sanjeev Gupta, GFG executive chairman, commented: “On behalf of the entire GFG family I would like to congratulate Jon on his tremendous contributions and achievements over the last 35 years in the steel industry. He continues to be an outstanding champion and ambassador of our industry, and I take enormous pride in the fact that he is an integral part of GFG and Liberty’s steadfast journey in the transformation of this industry.”

Bolton himself said he was very proud to be recognised for his efforts to improve the steel industry over many years. "I remain convinced that, regardless of the stage of economic development, there remains a need for steel which underpins so many aspects of our lives. I will continue to strive to remind policymakers, governments and communities of that message for as long as I am able.”