Tony Pedder: associated with job cuts

Mr Pedder will be charged with spearheading a Corus' revival, after the firm closed of steelworks and reduced production capacity by 3 million tonnes a year in an effort to slash costs.

The plan, which will involve the loss of 11,000 jobs over three years, has helped earn Mr Pedder the nickname Dr Death because of his association with the cutbacks.

"Wherever he went he brought doom and gloom," one steelworker said.

Workers praised

Mr Pedder, who currently heads Corus' strip products division in Holland, on Thursday praised the firm's workers for their resilience in the face of adversity.

"The workforce has responded magnificently to the current market challenges and hostile trading environment," he said.

"Their continued support is transforming the competitiveness of Corus."

The firm lost �1.15bn between October 1999 and December last year, blaming weak US and UK steel markets in particular for the fall.

Union reaction

Mr Pedder's appointment fills a vacancy created in December on the resignation of joint chief executives Fokko van Duyne and John Bryant, a former British Steel worker.

Sir Brian Moffat: fill-in role

Chairman Sir Brian Moffat has acted as chief executive in the interim period.

The promotion received a cautious welcome from union leaders.

"There needs to be a new vision for steel in the UK," said Michael Leahy, general secretary of the iron and Steel Trades Confederation.

"We hope that Tony Pedder will provide that new vision and that Corus will stop managing decline in the UK."

In the City, Corus shares ended 2.75p lower at 58.25p.