Pictures of Dyson’s plush new £330million global headquarters in Singapore have been revealed – as the billionaire Brexit-backing tycoon faces a growing backlash over the move out of Britain.
Sir James Dyson sparked widespread fury after announcing that he is shifting his head office out of Britain post Brexit – despite being one of the leading supporters of the campaign to Leave.
Ministers lashed the move saying it looked ‘terrible’ while MPs queued up to accuse the vacuum cleaner tycoon of ‘rank hypocrisy’ and said he was taking advantage of EU trade deals.
And now MailOnline can reveal the luxury office in Singapore where the British company’s top executives will now set up base.
The ‘Dyson Singapore Technology Centre’ was officially opened in February 2017, with bosses claiming that it would concentrate on robotic engineering and artificial intelligence.
But the complex, in Singapore Science Park, is set to become the head office for the company. It comes months after the appliance maker said the current 1,100-strong workforce at the site was set to double.
Photos show a small Dyson sign, a plush reception area shared with other firms and a trendy co-working space in the building.
The company’s Brexit-backing founder, Sir James Dyson, has rejected allegations he is a hypocrite following his decision to relocate offices to the island city-state in South East Asia.
The billionaire was one of the loudest business supporters of Brexit at the 2016 referendum and when the talks stagnated in 2017 he urged Mrs May to ‘walk away’ and embrace leaving Europe.
Pictures have emerged showing the interior of Dyson’s £330million global headquarters in Singapore where the firm will relocate after deserting Britain. A small sign (right) by the reception indicates the company’s presence in the building
The ‘Dyson Singapore Technology Centre’ was officially opened in February 2017, with bosses claiming that it would concentrate on robotic engineering and artificial intelligence. This picture shares the reception area of the centre, which is shared with other firms including Johnson and Johnson
Images show some of the work spaces in the building, which was unveiled in 2017. Despite relocating offices to Singapore, Dyson has insisted it will continue to invest in Britain
Dyson currently shares the Singapore Science Park with a host of other companies such as Johnson and Johnson, top international pharmaceutical companies and a trendy co-working space called The Bridge (pictured)
The complex, in Singapore Science Park (pictured), is set to become the head office for the company with its current 1,100-strong workforce now set to double
Hypocrite? James Dyson has rejected the accusation, following his decision to relocate the Dyson head office from the UK to Singapore
Dyson currently shares the Singapore Science Park with a host of other companies such as Johnson and Johnson, top international pharmaceutical companies and a co-working space called The Bridge.
While other firms are plastered over the hi-tech building, Dyson appears to have a lower profile with just a small sign by the reception indicating the company’s presence there.
Operations at the site have remained largely under the radar with the research and development centre plotting to maintain its position as the most innovative in the technology industry – not just in vacuum cleaners, but now electric cars.
A manufacturing electric car plant is currently being built in Singapore, opening next year.
Dyson said at the centre launch that he wanted to concentrate on ‘intelligent technology’, adding: ‘The software is propelling hardware companies at a faster rate than software is propelling software companies. The power comes from the two working together.
Engineers reportedly outnumber ‘normal’ employees in finance, HR or sales, by four to one, with a series of laboratories testing every part from robotics to air flow. Pictures show the building’s interior
Brexit-backing Sir James Dyson today rejected allegations he is a hypocrite following his decision to relocate offices to the South East Asian state. A small sign behind security gates and next to a bank of elevators shows the firm’s presence in the building
A sign outside the science park shows companies that operate at the site – apart from Dyson. The ‘Dyson Singapore Technology Centre’ was officially opened in February 2017
Situated opposite the National University Hospital, one of Singapore’s largest, workers are spoilt for choice at lunchtimes with bars, restaurants and cafes all situated within the complex
Some of the employees at the centre choose to ride in on motorised scooters – one of the top commuting choices in Singapore. Pictures show a makeshift scooter park at the site
‘Dyson is focusing on developing intelligent technology and making products which know and anticipate what you want before you do. Machine learning gives our products the intelligence to understand and react to the environment.’
The next time media was given a glimpse of the technology being developed at the centre was during Prince Charles’ visit in November 2017.
Prince Charles (right) met Dyson’s Director of Global Engineering Scott Maguire (left) when he toured the company’s Singapore Technology Centre in 2017
It is understood that staff do not get a desk, not even top executives, and lighting is powered by the Dyson Cu-Beam LED lamp, which was designed by Jake Dyson, his son.
There are soundproof acoustic rooms to test products’ noise levels, which cost £10 million.
Engineers reportedly outnumber ‘normal’ employees in finance, HR or sales, by four to one, with a series of laboratories testing every part from robotics to air flow.
Situated opposite the National University Hospital, one of Singapore’s largest, workers are spoilt for choice at lunchtimes with bars, restaurants and cafes all situated within the complex.
Remain supporters lashed out at the 71-year-old for his ‘staggering hypocrisy’ over his decision to relocate the head offices.
Sir James has claimed his critics have ‘missed the point entirely’ and that he would continue to invest in Britain.
‘These are not the actions of a hypocrite, but someone wanting to invest more the UK post-Brexit, not less,’ he told The Telegraph.
Despite the firm’s insistence the relocation is not to do with Brexit, it is acutely embarrassing to Leave supporters and to the government.
It comes amid mounting concern that a no deal Brexit could be disastrous for British manufacturing – particularly in the motor industry.
Sir James said the HQ move will help the company become more competitive in the lucrative electric car market, and highlighted investment at the company’s research facilities in Wiltshire where engineers are working on the project.
He added: ‘Every pound of investment and employment we spend employment we spend in Britain is a vote of confidence in Britain.
‘We have built from scratch the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, a university where undergraduates are paid.
‘It is nurturing the engineers who will form a vital part of our long-term future in the UK.’
Pictures show the secure entrance for Dyson staff leading to a bank of elevators at the company’s Singapore Technology Centre
Remain supporters lashed out at the 71-year-old for his ‘staggering hypocrisy’ over his decision to relocate the head offices to Singapore. A road sign points the way to the firm’s headquarters
It is the second blow Dyson has dealt to Brexit Britain after last year’s announcement that it will manufacturer its new electric cars in Singapore, rather than the UK.
In justifying the move, chief executive Jim Rowan dismissed the idea of Brexit and lower taxes being a motivation.
‘The move is nothing to do with Brexit or tax, it’s about making sure we are future proofed. There are huge revenue opportunities in Singapore, China is the poster child of that,’ he said.
‘The tax difference is negligible for us, we are taxed all over the world and we will continue to pay tax in the UK. We will continue to invest in the UK, in Malmesbury, in Bristol and London.’
Mr Rowan confirmed that Sir James was integral to the decision to ditch Britain.
Around 3,500 people work for Dyson in the UK, part of a workforce of around 12,000 worldwide. Relocating the HQ will not cut staffing, the firm insisted.