Former steel boss Phil Dryden joins Hargreaves Services

Former CEO of SSI UK will lead and further develop Hargreaves’ growing international business interests

Former steel boss Phil Dryden is joining Durham-based Hargreaves Services, a leader in solid fuel supply and bulk material logistics.

Mr Dryden, who was appointed chief executive of SSI UK in March 2011 and stepped down from the role at the Redcar site at the end of last year, will lead and further develop Hargreaves’ growing international business interests.

He takes up his new position as group business development director following the company’s first major contract award in Asia, a five-year deal with China Light and Power in the coal-fired power station sector.

Hargreaves produces, sources, processes, handles and transports carbon-based materials throughout the UK and Europe, employs nearly 3,000 people, and has a turnover of £843m.

Gordon Banham, Hargreaves’ group chief executive, said: “Phil’s experience will add significantly to our rapidly growing international business expertise.”

Mr Dryden added: “To be asked by Hargreaves to lead their new international expansion is a very exciting opportunity for me; the chance to be at the forefront of a new and growing business is one that I simply could not turn down.”