Huawei to axe up to 20 jobs as it rationalises UK enterprise portfolio

Move to pull server, networking and storage gear from UK shelves connected to Trump pressure

Huawei is rationalising its Enterprise Business Group (EBG) product portfolio in the UK - with the loss of up to 20 jobs.

The move will see the Chinese networking giant cease taking all orders on the affected products - understood to include networking, storage and server gear - by 31 December 2020.

A company representative conceded that mounting pressure placed on Huawei by the US administration "had some impact" in its decision, "but was not a clinching factor".

"Our Enterprise Business is to focus its operations in the UK in order to deliver fewer products in a better way. Unfortunately this means a number of roles are no longer required, however we hope to reposition colleagues who are affected elsewhere within the business," a company statement read.

"We will continue to provide full service and maintenance to existing customers for the life-cycle of our products."

Although up 20 staff will be made redundant, the vendor will try to rehouse them, they stressed.

Huawei employs around 1,600 staff in the UK, 50 which are employed within its Reading-based Enterprise Business Group (EBG), which houses the affected products.

Existing customers can order new kit for the affected products until the end of the year. Huawei has stopped taking on any new customers, however, the spokesperson confirmed.

"We want to make it clear that this isn't EBG pulling lock, stock and barrel. It's a focusing operation. We're focusing on the things we know that work; it's not permanent - we will keep reviewing it," they added.