John Johnson is a well-known expert on the global steel, metals and mining industry, having been researching and consulting on these industries for over 30 years. He is also an authority on China, where he resides today, and his views on the Chinese and global steel, metals and mining industry are sought by executives around the world.

At CRU, John has held senior research positions in both non-ferrous and ferrous metals.  After starting his career as a shipping Economist, John started his CRU career as a Senior Consultant in Aluminium (1989-2004) and was Steel Research Manager in London between 1994-2004, responsible for developing CRU’s steel and steelmaking raw materials services. In 2000, John was responsible for founding the CRU Steel Price Index (CRUspi), which has now become a leading global benchmark for steel pricing.  

In 2004, he was appointed as CRU’s Manager and Country Head in China and has been located in Beijing ever since building relations with leading Chinese steel, metals and mining companies & associations, as well being responsible for CRU’s rapid growth in China and contributing to research and consultancy projects.   

John provides regular insights for clients and presents at leading global conferences on China’s commodity markets and has conducted many assignments for Chinese companies investing overseas and for non-Chinese companies wanting to know more about China.  He is an Executive Committee member and Director of the Global Mining Association of China (GMAC).

John is learning Chinese and has successfully managed the successful growth in China of CRU Group, with more than 40 analysts and consultants located in Beijing and Shanghai.   In 2024 John stepped down from his Country Head role to ‘semi-retire’ and focus on an advisory role for special projects such as critical minerals and the decarbonization of China’s steel industry. He has a degree in Economics and Chinese Politics from York University and MA in Economics.