REIDsteel managing director Simon Boyd is the new vice-president at Dorset Chamber . He was elected to the position at the annual meeting of the chamber of commerce, which is the county’s leading business support organisation. Simon steps up to the role after first becoming a non-executive on the board of the chamber in 2019. He will serve with newly elected president Gareth Sherwood, chief executive of YMCA Bournemouth , and fellow board members. The chamber’s first ever patron was also announced at the annual meeting – HM Lord Lieutenant for Dorset Michael Dooley . Simon said: “I will promote the needs of our members and the many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that make up the majority of businesses within Dorset and beyond. “I will listen to the views of members and work with the chamber’s chief executive and board to represent their interests and deliver the business support that Dorset needs and deserves. I will champion our business community as the true engine of growth, innovation, social mobility and prosperity.” Nearly 100 business people attended the annual meeting at the Marriott Hotel in Bournemouth before the chamber’s annual Christmas lunch for 160 guests, which included a toy collection and raffle in aid of the Cash for Kids charity. REIDsteel donated a Christmas hamper for the raffle, which raised £2,400. The charity is dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the South Coast. The chamber of commerce, with more than 600 members representing 37,000 employees, is the county’s voice of business. Founded in 1949. it is the only chamber in Dorset accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
REIDsteel managing director Simon Boyd has demanded a u-turn on a decision to use thousands of tonnes of Chinese steel for an £8bn green energy project in the UK. Net Zero Teesside (NZT) is a joint venture between BP and Norwegian firm Equinor to build the world’s first gas-fired power station with carbon capture and storage. It will be one of a handful of ‘carbon-capture clusters’ that will benefit from the £22 billion of UK state aid announced at the end of last year, according to The Times. NZT, which it is estimated will support 4,500 jobs between 2025 and 2028, is being built on the site of the former SSI steelworks in Teesside. BP and Equinor have agreed a fixed-price contract with Balfour Beatty to construct the power station, and French firm Technip will oversee the building of the offshore and carbon-capture elements of the venture. Project bosses have pledged that at least 50 per cent of the engineering, procurement and construction contracts will be sourced from the UK. However, according to The Times, Technip is on the verge of agreeing a major package of 10,000 tonnes of steel with Modern, a Chinese firm. Simon said: “This decision is outrageous. “BP and Equinor have stipulated that there should be 20% low carbon steel. “British Steel does not as yet make low carbon steel. There has been no investment in this type of technology or new virgin steel blast furnaces at British Steel as yet. “The whole point of the government takeover to bring the company into public ownership, which has yet to fully complete, was to protect our steel industry. “British Steel belongs to the British people. It is horrifying to see British Petroleum go down a procurement route that excludes British Steel. “Virgin steel from British Steel is the finest in the world and should be used for this project - equally this steel should be fabricated in the UK rather than in China. “British steel is at the core of the steel making in the UK, which many manufacturing businesses rely upon. “To export this work to China beggars belief. In addition we are not only exporting the steel making, we are also exporting the steel fabrication, a sector which employs thousands of people here in the UK. “The irony in awarding this work for a green project to China is, of course, that China is one of the biggest polluters on the planet. “Bearing in mind that taxpayers’ money is going towards this project, the government should be rightly embarrassed and take action to see that the decision is reversed without delay. “It needs to look after British steelmaking and the many thousands of jobs that rely on steel manufacturing in the UK.” REIDsteel is based in Christchurch, Dorset. It designs, makes and builds steel framed structures such as bridges, hangars, stadia and airport terminals. The company was the first steelwork contractor to sign the UK Steel Charter and has made British Steel its preferred supplier. It has exported to more than 140 countries to date.
Our Sales Director Tim Outteridge and Business Development Manager Chris Evans spent a brilliant day at the British Constructional Steelwork Association’s (BCSA) Future of Steel Construction conference in London. It was a chance to renew acquaintances, build new connections, gain insights and share ideas about the future direction of the industry. They enjoyed catching up with many within the sector including Chris Hendy from AtkinsRealis, Simon Fryer, technical director at Buro Happold, Dean Morcom, managing director of Briton Fabrication Ltd and Tim’s colleagues from the National Steelwork Group. Updates to design codes, fire safety, sustainability in steel design and emerging practices were among the topics under discussion. The key takeaway was that the ever-evolving world of constructional steel is filled with exciting possibilities as a modern, vibrant and resilient sector that is vital for UK plc – but must receive the government support it deserves and requires. There was a great atmosphere at the event with plenty of positivity in the room. Many thanks to the BCSA for bringing the sector together where we can all share in a common vision for a healthy, strong and thriving industry. We’re looking forward to next year! Tim is pictured with Kevin Campbell , managing director of Billington Steel Structures and Stephen Dorer, BCSA regional chair for Midlands and the South and steelwork operations director at Deconstruct (UK) Ltd. In the other shots he is with BCSA president Chris Durand, technical director at Severfield, and Geoffrey Taylor, director at Caunton Engineering Chris is shown with John Callanan, design manager at Westok Ltd.
REIDsteel was among the businesses at a round table discussion held by the Jobs Foundation’s South West Regional Council. More than 20 attendees from business, charity and education attended the event at Exeter College of Further Education. They included our managing director Simon Boyd, who is chairman of the regional council and a trustee of the Jobs Foundation. The event – for which the Jobs Foundation partnered with the college - was the council’s first round table following its launch in Christchurch in September. It began with a panel discussion, chaired by Mike Blakeley, executive director of partnerships & apprenticeships at Exeter College and chair of the Constructing Excellence South West Skills Panel. He was joined on the panel by Simon, Jobs Foundation co-founder and chief executive Georgiana Bristol and Helen Wylde-Archibald. Helen is the chief executive of Devon Chamber of Commerce and co-founder of South West AI Solutions Ltd. The discussion addressed a range of issues such as AI in the workplace, the constraints on regional job creation, the benefit of investing in employees and the misconceptions around hiring from non-traditional backgrounds. Jobs Foundation business council manager Kellen Hadfield and Simon then led a roundtable discussion focussed on the South West skills pipeline, employment from non-traditional backgrounds and the obstacles to business growth. It was another successful event with valuable discussions about job creation, social mobility and business growth. The council is set to announce its south west steering group shortly. REIDsteel was one of the founding members of the Jobs Foundation. Simon is pictured with Georgiana Bristol at the event in Exeter. Email Kellen at kellen@thejobsfoundation.com to find out more about the regional business council.
Our managing director Simon Boyd will be on the panel at a Jobs Foundation regional round table event in Exeter. Simon is chair of the charity’s South West Business Council, which is holding the session at Exeter College on Tuesday November 18. The event, titled 'Backing Business to Boost Employment: Policy Priorities from the South West', is the second to be held by the regional council following its launch in Christchurch in September. It will be an opportunity to explore the barriers and opportunities facing businesses when it comes to creating jobs, supporting skills and driving growth across the region. Comments at the roundtable will also form the foundation of the Jobs Foundation’s future research and policy work, as it looks to establish its South West Business Council as a voice for the region's business community. Also on the panel in Exeter will be Jobs Foundation chief executive Georgiana Bristol, Mike Blakeley, who is executive director of partnerships and apprenticeships at Exeter College, and Helen Wylde-Archibald, who is chief executive of the Devon Chamber of Commerce . The Jobs Foundation champions business as a force for good which creates employment, lifts people out of poverty and boosts social mobility. REIDsteel was a founding member of its business council. The round table is being held from 12.30pm to 3pm at Exeter College’s IoT Building, in Hele Road, Exeter. Click here for more details and to attend . The South West Business Council launch was held at the Captain’s Club in Christchurch with Simon Boyd, Georgiana Bristol, Jobs Foundation president Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell, Aspire Jobs managing director Helen Stacey and Tim Lloyd, who is president of Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce and managing director of the Captain’s Club Hotel and Spa.
REIDsteel has hailed the importance of overseas partnerships during International Trade Week 2025 . We’ve exported to more than 140 countries to date and built steel structures on every continent on earth during 106 years of trading. Our success has been built on close working relationships with business partners, main contractors and customers as well as our excellence in structural steel design, engineering, fabrication and supply/construction. All of our structures are shipped from our manufacturing facility in Christchurch, Dorset, UK. Almost any structure can be designed to fit within standard 40 foot shipping containers and then shipped to the client's destination. We have also invested heavily in our container loading equipment to ensure that each item reaches its destination safely, securely, and in line with the project programme. We’re proud to support communities and economic developments across the globe. Our projects have included: · The Civic Centre complex in Belize · Bridges for remote rural communities in Africa and Asia · Disaster resistant buildings for customers in the Caribbean · Grain stores to help combat famine in Africa We have made British Steel our main supplier because of its quality - and because most customers ask for it. Now in its fifth year, International Trade Week (November 3 to 7) is led by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in partnership with industry and sponsored by Santander UK. Congratulations to all those businesses who have succeeded in international trade and very best wishes to all of those breaking into new markets overseas.
We’re looking forward to attending ‘The Future of Steel Construction’ conference in London on November 13. The British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) is holding the event to bring together industry experts, leaders and professionals from across the steel construction sector to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of steel. As a firm supporter of the BCSA and with 106 years in the structural steel business, we’re keen to play our part to help build an even stronger industry. The conference is open to construction steelwork contractors, those in the supply chain, engineers, architects and students. Its programme includes a keynote speech, case study sessions, breakout rooms and lectures, addressing key topics such as: · updates to Second Generation Eurocodes · fire safety · sustainability in steel design · emerging practices such as refurbishment, reuse and hybrid design There will also be an exhibition and a networking drinks reception. We’re looking forward to catching up with fellow leading professionals and companies, hearing about new developments and contributing to the discussion about the ever-evolving world of constructional steel. The day-long conference is being held at The Mermaid Conference Centre at Blackfriars. Please email us at sales@reidsteel.co.uk if you wish to arrange a meeting at the event. If you wish to attend, tickets can be booked at https://bcsa.org.uk/resources/future-of-steel-construction/conference-programme/ where more information is also available about the programme and speakers.
Robust action has been demanded in response to punitive new EU tariffs attacking the UK steel industry. Simon Boyd, managing director of structural steel firm REIDsteel, has called on the UK Government to levy hard-hitting reciprocal measures to protect producers, manufacturers and the wider economy. His comments come after the EU set out plans to cut the amount of tariff-free steel that can be imported into the bloc by half and apply a 50% tariff to all steel imports beyond this. Simon, who campaigned to save British Steel blast furnaces at Scunthorpe earlier this year, warned the tariffs would have a devastating impact. “The total EU market for structural steel is 8 million tonnes per annum, of which the UK is currently granted a tariff-free quota of 108,000 tonnes, equivalent to less than 2% of the market. “Conversely, the UK market is 800,000 tonnes per annum while EU producers have a tariff-free quota of 680,000 tonnes, equivalent to 85% of the UK market. Hardly fair trade. “The EU has announced measures to prevent dumping of Chinese steel into its markets. As part of these measures, the EU proposes to reduce the UK’s tariff-free quota by 50% to less than 1% of their market. “In reality, EU producers have pretty much completely unlimited access to the UK market tariff free while our access to the EU market will be virtually shut down.” Simon added: “All UK producers will be impacted by this change in policy. Not only will exports be impacted but the UK will see a flood of material if we don’t tighten our own trading measures. “The government needs to react boldly and find a way to exclude the UK from this EU action and threaten retaliation with equal and proportionate measures.” The UK steel sector directly employs 36,800 people and supports another 46,000 jobs in the supply chain, according to figures from UK Steel in June of this year. It makes a £1.7bn direct contribution to the UK economy, an additional £2.2bn to the supply chain and a direct contribution of £3.1bn to the UK’s balance of trade. Simon added: “This is a wholly unacceptable attack on the UK steel industry. “The EU may need to prop up its own ailing steel sector and fight off Chinese steel dumping but this cannot be at the expense of the UK. There is no time to lose.” REIDsteel is based in Christchurch, Dorset, UK, has exported to more than 140 countries in 106 years of trading.
Businesses were urged to throw their weight behind the Jobs Foundation at its regional launch in Dorset. The charity held its first South West Business Council event with presentations about its work, a panel discussion and questions and answer session. It champions business as a force for good which creates employment, lifts people out of poverty and boosts social mobility. More than 40 supporters attended its South West Business Council launch at the Captain’s Club in Christchurch. Regional chairman Simon Boyd, who is managing director of Christchurch-based REIDsteel, led the panel discussion with Jobs Foundation president Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell, Aspire Jobs managing director Helen Stacey and Tim Lloyd, who is president of Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce and managing director of the Captain’s Club Hotel and Spa. Topics included the Employment Rights Bill, the South West jobs market, the hospitality sector, industries best positioned to provide jobs of the future and policy proposals to help businesses create the jobs needed to move two million people from welfare into work. The role of AI, apprenticeships, higher education, workplace-ready training for young people, the Budget, underrepresentation of women in the workplace and support for disabled people in employment were among the topics which generated engaging discussions during the Q&A. Lord Elliott called for businesses to raise awareness of its proposals for a new Skills Tax Relief in the Budget to enable businesses to recoup costs associated with apprenticeships, vocational training and work-based learning to create jobs for nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training. REIDsteel was among the earliest supporters of the Jobs Foundation, which has now has more than 1,300 members on its business council nationwide. Simon, who is a trustee of the foundation, issued a rallying cry for people to join. “Numbers started as a trickle but are steadily growing across the business community. “The more businesses we have, the more power we can generate to pass on expertise to help more people into work and effect policy change.” He added: “The Jobs Foundation is a fantastic vehicle of opportunity for young people, disabled people, older people, those out of work and for businesses to come together to share good ideas and do what’s right for our community, our people and our country.“ The South West is the second regional Business Council to be launched nationwide, after the North East in May. Its next event is a policy roundtable at Exeter College in November with 75 business leaders from across the South West. Georgiana Bristol, chief executive of the Jobs Foundation, said: “We were delighted to launch our South West Business Council. “It will host regional policy roundtables, contribute to the Jobs Foundation’s research programme and become a crucial network for our accreditation scheme when it launches in 2026. “Thanks go to our panel, everyone who attended the launch and our South West Business Council Chairman, Simon Boyd, and REIDsteel, without who this event would not have been possible.” The foundation is an independent, non-partisan charity. Its council is free to join. Global structural steel firm REIDsteel was among the founder members of its business council and featured in its launch video. Visit https://thejobsfoundation.com/ to find out more about the Jobs Foundation and https://thejobsfoundation.com/join-us/ to join its business council.
