Chinese electronics manufacturer Huawei has announced plans to move to a new UK head office in Reading next year.
The firm – which has used Basingstoke office space since 2003 – will move along the A33 to Berkshire in 2013.
Huawei’s office move comes about as part of a £1.3 billion investment and procurement programme designed to support the firm’s future growth plans.
The company is also aiming to increase its British workforce from 800 to 1,500 next year – meaning additional office space is needed at the new Reading site.
A 140,000 sq ft premises has been secured at Green Park in the city.
Victor Zhang, chief executive officer of Huawei Technologies UK, said the move marks “the beginning of an exciting new period of development” for the company in the UK.
“We opened our first office in here in 2001 and the decision to move to a new headquarters reinforces our long term commitment to the UK,” he stated.
Mr Zhang said Green Park is “at the heart of the Britain’s communications and technology industry”.
The site is “well located” for some of Huawei’s major customers, has excellent transport links and is the right location from which to expand, he added.
“The new HQ offers the space to accommodate up to 1,000 people as our business here continues to grow in the coming years,” Mr Zhang added.
