Europe's second largest steelmaker, Corus, said last week that its chairman, Jim Leng, has decided to step down from his position on March 30 and make way for Andrew Robb, the former finance director of U.K. glass maker Pilkington PLC, to become chairman.

Leng joined the board of Corus, also known as Tata Steel Europe, in June 2001 as non-executive director and became chairman in June 2003.

Robb became non-executive director of Corus in 2003 and of India-based Tata Steel Ltd. (500470.BY) in 2007 when Tata acquired Corus.

Leng, 63 years old, said: "After eight years on the Corus Board and five years as Chairman I've made the decision to move on. I feel this is an appropriate time, two years into the integration phase following the takeover. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Corus and leave with unique experiences, fond memories and many friends."

No details were given about Leng's future endeavors.

Back in January, Leng was chosen as chairman designate of Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto PLC (RTP) but resigned from the position in early February due to concerns that Rio Tinto wasn't pursuing the best deal for shareholders by entering talks with Aluminum Corp. of China, or Chinalco, in order to pay down debt.

Rio Tinto subsequently announced a GBP19.5 billion deal with Chinalco in which the state-owned Chinese firm agreed to buy minority stakes in some of Rio Tinto's mining operations and invest in convertible instruments. Several large Rio Tinto shareholders voiced concerns that the deal will dilute their holdings without giving them rights to participate in the fundraising.

 
   Company Web site: http://www.corusgroup.com

-By Alex MacDonald, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 (0)20 7842 9328; alex.macdonald@dowjones.com