Dyson, the British appliances company founded by a vocal Brexit supporter, has decided to leave Britain for Singapore. The company has insisted the relocation of the headquarters involves only two job moves: Martin Bowen, the general counsel, and Jorn Jensen, the chief financial officer, will move to Singapore.

Legal team

In his 14 years at Dyson, Martin Bowen has seen his legal department grow significantly. He now runs a team of 40 staff and has recently hired five new lawyers, including two commercial lawyers in the UK and one in Singapore. The company, which makes vacuum cleaners and hair dryers and has an electric car in the pipeline, is moving its headquarters from Malmesbury, in southwest England, to Singapore in response to demand for its products in Asia.

‘Hypocrisy’ hot air

The company stated in its financial report that, ‘an increasing majority of Dyson’s customers and all of our manufacturing operations are now in Asia,” a shift has ‘been occurring for some time and will quicken as Dyson brings its electric vehicle to market.” The company said it would also double the size of its technology center in Singapore. In reaction to social media criticism that Dyson’s decision is hypocritical, a spokeswoman rejected the notion the move is a response to Brexit, ‘we remain committed to the UK, but are growing quickly in Asia, too.’