Ambassadors for ResponsibleSteel
Ambassadors represent ResponsibleSteel at external forums. They play a key role in promoting the organisation’s messages to stakeholders within their own networks and at global events.
Ambassadors are appointed by ResponsibleSteel's CEO or Chairman, with approval from the Board of Directors, on the basis of their outstanding commitment to ResponsibleSteel's mission. Appointments are typically for a period of two years, but may be extended by the Board.
Alan has over 35 years of experience working with global companies and governments on sustainability. In June 2014, he joined WE Soda, the world’s largest Soda Ash producer, a vital raw material for glass, solar and detergents as their Chief Sustainability Officer. He came from Drax, where he was Group Director of Sustainability. Drax’s ambition is to be the world’s first carbon negative power station and is the largest producer of biomass for energy.
Prior to that, he spent seven years in the steel and mining sector as the Global Head of Sustainable Development for ArcelorMittal. He was Co-chairman of ResponsibleSteel and served on the steering board of the Initiative for Responsible Mining. Alan created and chaired the Ebola Private Sector Mobilisation Group, which was a collaboration of over 100 companies sharing best practice and coordinating the corporate respond to Ebola in West Africa. For this he was made a Clinton Global Citizen honouree in 2015. He advised the Virgin Group on sustainable development for seven years and led B&Q's sustainability programme for 10 years. He was also instrumental in founding and developing the Forest Stewardship Council.
For nine years he was a commissioner with the UK Government’s Sustainable Development Commission where he introduced the concept of "choice editing" as an alternative to green labelling. He was awarded the OBE in June 1998, and in 2005 the US-based Rainforest Alliance presented him with a life-long award.
Andrew, a metallurgist, retired from his 40-year career in the steel industry in 2003. His wide-ranging experience included roles in steelmaking, marketing, public and government relations.
He represented BHP Steel (now BlueScope) on the International Iron and Steel Institute (now World Steel Association) Marketing and Promotion Committee for some 10 years, including 4 years as Chair.
In retirement he became involved with the Steel Stewardship Forum, and was part of the Ross Davies led group, which originated the concept of ResponsibleSteel in 2010, and developed it to the point where it was able to be incorporated in 2016 as the standard setting and certification body now known as ResponsibleSteel Ltd.
Andrew was one of the 4 founding ResponsibleSteel Directors and retired from the Board in May 2025.
