HPE and UKFast speak out against Brexit

Andy Isherwood and Lawrence Jones are the latest tech leaders to back the UK remaining in the EU

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) boss Andy Isherwood and UKFast's Lawrence Jones have spoken out in favour of the UK remaining in the EU, hot on the heels of Microsoft which said the same thing yesterday.

In an email memo sent to staff internally yesterday afternoon, Isherwood said he believes it is important his firm contributes to the debate, and that the issue has been discussed in the UK and EMEA HPE executive teams, as well as the firm's Executive Committee.

"As a result, [we have] concluded that the UK's continued membership of the EU brings a range of positive benefits to our business, our customers, our employees and to the UK economy as a whole," Isherwood (pictured) said.

"These benefits are associated with free trade and access to talent, improved economic stability and consistency in the legislative environment within which we operate across Europe. Combined with its particular capabilities as a global financial and legal centre and the strength of the UK's academic institutions, these benefits have made the UK an attractive investment location for multinational companies like HPE.

"We believe that if the UK were to leave the EU, it would be likely to have a detrimental impact on the long-term prospects for employment, research, investment and innovation in this country."

Isherwood's comments come after Microsoft's UK chief executive Michel Van der Bel sent an email to customers, staff and partners outlining his views - which are also in favour of remaining in.

Cisco's chief executive Chuck Robbins has previously told CRN that Brexit would be a "big mistake", and Sir Peter Rigby said it would be "potentially difficult" for SCC. But other channel faces have come out in favour of Brexit, with ANS Group's chairman Scott Fletcher campaigning for further devolution of power.

UKFast's chief executive Lawrence Jones also took the opportunity to speak up on the debate, throwing his weight behind the union.

"The digital economy is opening up more opportunity for trade with our neighbours," he said. "Thousands of new online businesses are springing up every year, and new technologies and services make it easier than ever to reach markets in Europe.

"With so many incredible entrepreneurs being given the opportunity to set up businesses online, why would we want to tie one hand behind their backs by burning bridges with our neighbours? New businesses currently have instant access to a marketplace of 508 million people. I think we'd be crazy to turn our backs on that opportunity."

Jones (pictured, left) added that the uncertainty around the move is already having an impact on his business.

"I'm holding off on a hugely exciting deal on the continent to expand our network," he said. "While this uncertainty hangs over Europe we have to think twice about our growth plans, and that would only continue if the country votes to leave the EU.

"Europe is a much bigger place than the UK; it already gives us 57 per cent of trade. British businesses wanting to expand and make a huge difference to the economy know there are limited people to sell to in the UK. Europe is on our doorstep, we should take advantage of the incredible relationships we have and be proud of the club that we are in."