Launch of Corus sponsorship of British Triathlon

26 Jul 2006

Minister, distinguished guests, triathletes, fellow steelmakers and members of the press. Thank you all for joining us here by the Serpentine where triathletes will begin their Olympic race only six summers from now in 2012. I’d particularly like to welcome Richard Caborn, Minister of Sport, who through his constituency in Sheffield and his previous responsibilities has been a strong supporter of the British steel industry for many years.

We at Corus are delighted to have signed an agreement to be British Triathlon’s premier sponsor. This is a double first, a first for Corus and a first for British Triathlon and we feel both proud and excited, to be sponsoring this great sport that is growing so rapidly in popularity and profile. Many of you will know that triathlon is a young, all-inclusive and growing sport, having made its Olympic debut only in 2000, at the Sydney Games. Similarly, Corus is also a relatively young company, having been forged at the end of 1999 from the merger of British Steel and Hoogovens.

It is therefore not surprising that we at Corus, saw this as a compelling opportunity to support the development of British Triathlon and in turn sport in the UK. In addition to our sponsorship of the Elite Squad, we will also help develop the sport in a number of ways, for example in assessing the development of triathlon as a Paralympic sport through our sponsorship of the British Triathlon National Disability Project and through grass root community initiatives, such as "Corus Kids of Steel", in parts of the UK where we operate.

Since Philippe Varin and I came together as part of the new Corus team in 2003, there has been greater focus on the health, safety and the well being of our employees. As we further develop our corporate and social responsibility programme, I believe that triathlon will be a wonderful example to us all, and not just as a challenging and exciting sport. After all, what better way is there to make an investment in ourselves than through swimming, cycling and running, all of which are affordable and accessible to us all. Our people, our employees, are our most important assets and their health and well-being is an investment that we will make and through this build a more successful company.

As of today, I will be getting on my bike as part of my own personal investment. Minister, it’s unfortunate that you are not able to take up my challenge today, but we also have a bike for you. Perhaps after training and later in the year we can meet again for our own personal triathlon.

At Corus, we have a clear track record in the successful delivery of complex projects including infrastructure, construction and sports stadia, and it is our ambition to build on this success going forward. Most of you here, will probably know Corus as one of the world’s leading suppliers of steel, though not everyone may fully appreciate the use of steel as one of the major and most functional, recyclable and cost-effective materials for buildings and infrastructure.

Let me now say a few words to the athletes who will be representing British Triathlon, some of whom are here today. We at Corus are delighted to be investing in you, because we believe in you and your talent. We are investing in you, because of your potential and your ability to deliver a world-class performance in what you do best. In this, as a corporation, we also share a common purpose to be a winner and be the best.

Jasmine has just talked about the International Triathlon World Cup event that takes place in Salford in just 4 days time, followed by the World Triathlon Championships in Lausanne in Switzerland in early September. This is only the beginning and we will be there to encourage, support and cheer you on as you lead Great Britain into the Games both in Beijing and here in the great City of London.

May I thank you all for coming here today to share some of our excitement.