Member Article

Leading Sheffield business figure awarded OBE

Tony Pedder, chairman of Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd, has been made a member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

The high profile city businessman has received the accolade in recognition of his work in the city’s manufacturing, health, education and voluntary sectors.

Mr Pedder said: “Receiving this honour is a source of immense pride for me. I am glad to have played my part in the life of this city, and I continue to see tremendous opportunities for the future as we work together to create opportunities and skills, economic growth and a better quality of life for the people of Sheffield.”

His involvement in the city business region began when he came to Sheffield in 1985 to run British Steel’s stainless steel business (now Outokumpu). During various roles at British Steel, and subsequently Corus, he oversaw other steelmaking operations in the city, including Tata Engineering Steels.

Joining Sheffield Forgemasters in a consulting role, he supported chief executive Graham Honeyman’s turnaround of the company and became chairman in 2005, a post he continues to hold today.

Mr Pedder started his involvement in the health sector in 2006 when he became Chair of Sheffield NHS Primary Care Trust, building the team which turned the former PCT into one of the most successful in the country and which - following the NHS reforms earlier this year – is now the Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group. He is also the current Chairman of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, one of the country’s leading hospital trusts.

He is also a well-known figure in the city’s voluntary sector for his charitable work. As Chairman of Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, Mr Pedder offers hands-on experience and shares his knowledge of farming, the countryside and the environment to visitors.

Mr Pedder, 63, is on the Board of Trustees at Sheffield Theatres, is a Deputy Lieutenant for South Yorkshire and Senior Warden of the Cutlers’ Company.

He is also well respected for his work in further and higher education. As Pro-Chancellor of Sheffield University, he chairs the AMI Advisory Board, which supports the work of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). A long-standing member of The University of Sheffield Council, he will become chairman in August.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Lane .