- Twelfth Willy Korf Steel Vision Award from World Steel
Dynamics and American Metal Market
- Qimpro Platinum Standard in November 2000
- Indian Merchants' Chamber's Juran Quality Medal for 2001,
for his role as a statesman for quality
- The Government of India's inaugural National Metallurgist
Award in 1997 for his extraordinary achievements in the
field of metallurgical industry
Accomplishments
In December 1993, the University of Sheffield conferred upon
him an honorary doctorate in metallurgy.
At its annual general body meeting held in July 1996, the
Royal Academy of Engineering, London, elected Dr Irani as
a 'foreign member' – one of the five Indians to have
been bestowed with this honour.
In October 1997, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II conferred
on Dr. Irani an Honorary Knighthood (KBE) in New Delhi, for
his contributions to Indo-British Trade and Co-operation.
In business
Dr. Irani began his career in 1963 as Senior Scientific
Officer at BISRA, Sheffield. In 1968 he joined The Tata Iron
and Steel Company Ltd. (TISCO) as assistant to director, Research
& Development.
He was appointed general superintendent in 1978, general
manager in 1979, president in 1985 and managing director in
1992. After holding the CEO's office for almost a decade,
he retired as the managing director of Tata Steel in July
2001.
He continues as a director on the board of Tata Steel.
The change agent
In Tata Steel, he overhauled the "old lady"
and transformed it into the sophisticated steel company it
is today, both in physical form and attitude. He is looked
upon as the 'change agent' which has made the steel behemoth
a force to be reckoned with in the steel manufacturing world.
Tata Steel is now recognised as one of the lowest cost producers
of steel in the world, and also known for its sophisticated
products manufactured in modern up-to-date mills.
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