London, Sep 1 - Malay Mukherjee, a leading expert in steelmaking, has stepped down from the board of directors of ArcelorMittal, the company announced Tuesday.

Mukherjee, a former executive at the public sector Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), quit 'to pursue other interests', the company said.

Mukherjee joined the board in May 2008 after a long and distinguished career in ArcelorMittal's senior management, latterly as a member of the Group Management Board with responsibility for Asia, Africa, the CIS, Mining and Technology.

ArcelorMittal Chairman and Chief Executive Lakshmi N. Mittal said: 'Mr Mukherjee has been an exceptional member of ArcelorMittal, first as a highly regarded senior executive and over the past year as a member of the Board of Directors. We will miss his wisdom and advice, but wish him all the best for the future.'

Mukherjee added: 'ArcelorMittal is a great company and one that I will always feel a part of. I wish the company every success in the future and have no doubt that it will continue to go from strength to strength.'

ArcelorMittal is the world's biggest steel manufacturer.