Johnson Matthey non-exec buys in

Johnson Matthey non-executive director Ian Strachan has substantially lifted his holding in the speciality chemicals firm with the purchase of about £50,000 worth of shares.

He bought 5,800 shares at 857p and now has 6,800 shares.

Strachan, 65, was appointed to his role at Johnson Matthey in 2002. He is also a non-executive director at diversified mining company Xstrata and the engine manufacturer Rolls Royce.

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He has previously been a deputy chief executive of mining giant Rio Tinto.

Johnson Matthey has three divisions: Precious Metal Products; Fine Chemicals and Catalysts; and Environmental Technologies.

It is particularly associated with platinum and is the world's leading distributor of the precious metal. Its share price is closely correlated to that of platinum.

The company's market capitalisation is down by more than 50% over the year, reflecting an even sharper fall in platinum's value.

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