Steel businessman becomes latest to take up historic role of Master Cutler

And, at a ceremony at the Cathedral Church of St Marie in Sheffield yesterday, Tony Pedder became the 36th person to be made Master Cutler.

Mr Pedder, who is pro-chancellor of Sheffield University as well as chairman of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust and a director of manufacturer Forgemasters, was awarded an OBE earlier this year in recognition of his “outstanding service to industry and public service.”

Sheffield University’s vice-chancellor, professor Keith Burnett, said yesterday: “We are truly delighted that Tony’s enormous contribution to manufacturing and to Sheffield has been recognised by his election to this historic role.”

The title of Master Cutler, officially Master Cutler of the Company of Cutlers of Hallamshire, dates back to the 17th Century.

The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire was established by an Act of Parliament in 1624 to ensure high standards of workmanship in the cutlery industry, which dominated manufacturing in the Sheffield region at that time.

Between 1624 and 1808 nobody held the title of Master Cutler. Since 1998, the position has changed hands each year.

Mr Pedder joined the British Steel Corporation in 1972 in London, before coming to Sheffield in 1986 as chief executive of the company’s Stainless Division.

He joined the British Steel main board in 1992 and was appointed an ambassador for British business, by the then government, in 1997.

In 1999 British Steel merged with Dutch steelmaker Hoogovens, creating Corus plc, of which he became group chief executive in 2001.

Since leaving Corus in 2003, he has taken on a number of non-executive roles, staying involved with manufacturing and steel including as chairman of Sheffield Forgemasters.

Mr Pedder is married with two sons.