Lord Hutton appointed to Sirius board

Sirius Minerals appointed Lord Hutton, former Business Secretary, as a non-executive director, replacing Richard Poulden.

He said: “I am delighted to be involved in such an exciting company and particularly one that can lead much needed growth in this country.

“Opportunities to work with companies like Sirius and management teams of this calibre really don’t come along too often. I’m incredibly enthusiastic about bringing my experience to bear and look forward to adopting my role as a non-executive director on the board. “

Sirius Minerals is carrying out a series of test drillings on land between Whitby and Scarborough with the aim of establishing the first new UK potash mine for 40 years.

Chairman Russell Scrimshaw said: “I am very pleased that Lord Hutton has accepted our invitation to serve as a non-executive director of Sirius.

“His experience will be of great benefit to the company as we move forward with the development of Sirius, and especially our flagship York Potash Project, and undertake one of the largest mining investments in this country. I look forward to working with him over the coming years.”

Lord Hutton was elected to the Commons in 1992 as MP for Barrow and Furness and rose through the Government ranks, eventually becoming Work and Pensions Secretary, Business Secretary and Defence Secretary before standing down from the Cabinet in 2009.