Jim Leng (61) was appointed a non-executive director of Corus in June 2001, Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director in April 2002 and Chairman in June 2003.

He is also Chairman of Doncaster Group Limited, a non-executive director of Alstom SA and Hanson plc where he is Senior Independent Director. He was the Chief Executive of Laporte plc from 1995 until June 2001. He retired as a Director and Chairman of IMI plc in May 2005 and as a non-executive director of Pilkington plc in June 2006.