The international entrepreneur behind plans to create 400 jobs at a car wheels factory in the west Highlands is joining forces with the Duke of Rothesay in a drive to encourage more young people to work in manufacturing and engineering.
Sanjeev Gupta, executive chairman of metals, industrials and energy group GFG Alliance, which saved the UK’s last aluminium smelter, near Fort William, from threatened closure in 2016, has been made an official ambassador for the Industrial Cadets programme by Prince Charles.
Formed by the prince seven years ago, after he heard how manufacturing and engineering companies were struggling to attract a new generation of workers, the scheme now offers work experience in industry to 15,000 young people from schools and colleges around the UK.
This year will see GFG take on three local industrial cadets at its Lochaber site, where it also owns a hydro power plant, and others at its operations around the country.
The GFG Foundation, a skills initiative launched by Mr Gupta and his wife, Nicola, a year ago, helps fund and promote the programme through a partnership with the Engineering Development Trust.
Mr Gupta’s appointment to the ambassador role was announced by Prince Charles during the Industrial Cadets annual awards ceremony, in London.
The prince said: “Sanjeev is doing so much to apply real imagination, innovative thinking and sustainable rejuvenation to our nation’s heavy industries, and I’m thrilled that he – through his GFG Alliance – has so enthusiastically become involved with Industrial Cadets as well.”
The son of an Indian entrepreneur, Mr Gupta launched his first business, Liberty House, while studying at Cambridge.
The family-run GFG Alliance, comprising industrial and metals business, Liberty, resources and infrastructure group Simec, banking arm Wyelands and property division Jahama Estates now has annual turnover of more than £7billion and employs around 12,000 people around the world.
Yesterday, Mr Gupta said: “It’s a great honour to be invited by his royal highness to contribute to one of the most important tasks facing modern society; the task of ensuring our next generation has the motivation and skills to enable us to remain competitive and successful on the world stage in manufacturing.
“That was the fundamental reason why my wife, Nicola, and I set up the GFG Foundation and why GFG Alliance businesses are so actively involved in supporting the scheme.”
He added: “Coming from a family of industrialists, I had the opportunity while growing up to spend time in steel works and engineering plants.
“That left a lasting impression on me and really inspired me to pursue an active career in industry. I see Industrial Cadets fulfilling the same function and am very excited about the impact it is facing.”
At the end of January, Highland Council approved GFG’s plans to build the factory producing alloy car wheels as part of a £120million expansion at the Lochaber smelter site. Mr Gupta said it would “transform the economic prospects of the area” and he hoped it would create hundreds more jobs in the supply chain and wider Highland economy.
