Huawei strengthens its UK Board with appointment of three Non-Executive Directors

Huawei has appointed Lord Browne of Madingley as independent non-executive chairman of its UK subsidiary, Huawei Technologies (UK) Co. Ltd (“Huawei UK”). Alongside Lord Browne, the Company also announces the appointment of two further independent non-executive directors to the Board of its UK subsidiary, Dame Helen Alexander, chairman of UBM plc and Sir Andrew Cahn, who served as chairman of Huawei UK’s Advisory Board from 2011 to 2014.

The inclusion on Huawei UK’s Board of senior business figures, with such wide ranging experience, demonstrates Huawei’s commitment to corporate governance as a foundation for further growth and success. The independent non-executive directors will be responsible for reviewing the performance of Huawei in the UK, where 70 per cent of employees are recruited locally, and providing counsel to the UK Management Team, as well as the standard legal obligations of directors of a UK limited liability company. The enhanced UK Board that Lord Browne will lead has six directors – three non-executive and three executive.

Ken Hu, Deputy Chairman of the Huawei Group Board and Huawei Group Rotating CEO, said: “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. 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. I am delighted that Lord Browne, Dame Helen and Sir Andrew have accepted our invitation to join the UK Board. As our new Chairman, Lord Browne brings invaluable experience from his many years as a global business leader and I look forward to working with him and the other non-executive directors as we seek to build on the continued success of our company.”

Lord Browne, Chairman of the Huawei UK Board, said: “It is an honour to serve as the first independent Chairman of Huawei’s Board in the UK. 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. 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. I am delighted to be leading this Board as it supports Huawei’s next phase of growth.”

Dame Helen, independent non-executive director of the Huawei UK Board, said: “I am pleased to be joining Huawei UK’s Board at this point in its development. We live in a digital age in which technology and innovation are more and more critical in the development of companies and economies. Connectivity represents an incredible part of this and Huawei is a world leader in connecting people and their communities.”

The three executive directors on the UK Board, sitting alongside the newly appointed non-executive directors, will be: Ken Hu, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Rotating CEO, Huawei Group; Chen Lifang, Board Director and Senior Vice-President, Huawei Group; and Gordon Luo, CEO, Huawei UK.

Huawei also confirms today that following three successful years, the Huawei UK Advisory Board, which was created in 2011, completed its term of appointment in 2014.

Ken Hu, Deputy Chairman of the Huawei Group Board and Rotating CEO, added: “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Huawei UK Advisory Board for its guidance and counsel over the last three years. I am pleased that Sir Andrew Cahn is joining the UK Board, thereby ensuring continuity from the Advisory Board.”
Sir Andrew Cahn, independent non-executive director of the Huawei UK Board, said: "I am very pleased to continue my association with Huawei; it is just the sort of global, ambitious company that we need to invest in the UK. The Advisory Board that I chaired contributed to the successful expansion of the UK business and I look forward to playing a part in the company’s future success."