Sir Ian McGregor: What “Poise Under Pressure” Really Means

Sir Ian K. McGregor was a Scottish-American industrialist and metallurgist who became the most controversial executive to manage British Steel. His popularity was also marred by the way he handled the miners’ strike between 1984 and 1985 while he was at the helm of the National Coal Board.

McGregor was born on September 21, 1912 in Kinlochleven, Scotland. McGregor took up metallurgy and engineering at the University of Glasgow. He finished his courses with some distinctions and was graded as a first class degree. Later, the Royal College of Science and Technology awarded him another diploma with distinction.

In 1935, McGregor worked with his father in a local aluminum plant in Kinlochleven. He did not stay long in that job because he was recruited to work as junior manager at Parkhead Forge. McGregor experience his first confrontation with a labor union when the crane drivers launched a strike. Within two weeks, McGregor settled the dispute which caught the attention of Sir James Lithgow, the chairman. He was marked for rapid promotion.

During the World War II, McGregor worked with the Ministry of Supply in its tank development program. There, Lord Beaverbrook, who was the Minister of Aircraft Production at that time, noticed McGregor’s talent. Lord Beaverbrook appointed McGregor to travel to US and Canada to scout on aviation armor. Then McGregor was commissioned by the British military to scout US’s Sherman tanks. McGregor became familiar of the US because of these assignments.

McGregor stayed in the US after the War. In 1966, McGregor served the American Metal Climax as CEO. During his tenure at American Metal Climax, the company diversified into mining. There, McGregor earned the reputation as a shrewd executive. He was uncompromising with trade unions and had a strong appetite for confrontation.

In 1977, McGregor went back to the British industry through Labor Party prime minister James Callaghan. During the time of Margaret Thatcher, the British government embarked on radical industrial restructuring. British Steel Corporation was one of the companies that the British government nationalized. McGregor was appointed as chairman of British Steel but his tenure was marred with controversies. His actions were widely criticized but the consequences were positive and were enjoyed by many British nationals even today.