Former BP boss Lord Browne to chair Huawei UK
Huawei, the world’s second-largest telecom equipment maker, yesterday appointed a trio of directors to its UK subsidiary’s board, including former BP chief executive Lord Browne as chairman.
Lord Browne will become the first independent chairman of the Chinese company’s UK arm. Dame Helen Alexander, chair of marketing firm UBM and former UKTI head Sir Andrew Cahn will join the board as non-executive directors.
Huawei is one of the leading suppliers of network infrastructure to BT as well as to the UK’s mobile operators.
“In a short period of time, Huawei has become a global leader in technology and one of mainland China’s largest investors in the UK,” said Lord Browne on his appointment to the role.
“I have worked in China and with Chinese businesses for the past 40 years, and continue to be impressed by the corporate sector’s ambition and potential.”
The business has faced scrutiny from the US and Australia which have both blocked some of Huawei’s operations in their countries over alleged security risks.
“This is just the latest illustration of Huawei’s commitment to openness and transparency and to continuing to build relationships of trust in the UK and across the world,” said Huawei’s rotating chief executive Ken Hu.
“As a global business, we are committed to adopting high standards of governance and management and I am pleased to announce the strengthening of our UK board.”