Box's UK chief has said that despite fears, Brexit will not lead to a shortage of skilled tech workers for UK companies to recruit.
With the deadline for Britain's exit from the European Union looming ever closer and the negotiations seemingly no closer to making any progress, many companies have expressed concerns that a 'hard Brexit' (in which the UK severs all ties with EU) could result in a lack of qualified professionals across the country.
These worries have been voiced by the tech industry in particular, which depends on highly-skilled immigrants from across Europe to fill many roles in areas such as software engineering, network administration and operations.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Brace yourself for Brexit Brexit vote ‘has disrupted UK IT spending’
However, David Benjamin - senior vice president and general manager of EMEA for cloud storage firm Box - told IT Pro that while the uncertainty surrounding Brexit is one of the biggest challenges for European businesses, he doesn't agree that there will be a 'brain drain' of tech talent leaving the country.
"I'm going to speak from the heart on this, and I'm going to say no," Benjamin said, when we asked if a lack of tech workers was a potential danger. "I'm working on the basis there that there will be a successful conclusion to our Brexit discussion, and that London and the UK will remain a strong force from a tech perspective, and that we'll work very closely with our European partners as well."
"London is an amazing place, but also Berlin is fantastic, I was in Dublin recently - again, that was absolutely amazing. The great thing for me is that these tech communities work better when they work together, and I expect that to continue."
However, other business leaders have attested to Brexit's negative impact on the UK tech industry. When IT Pro asked HPE boss Meg Whitman whether her firm had experienced any ill-effects of the UK's decision to leave the EU, she told us: "Frankly, there's been a bit of a pause in the decision of UK companies, or multinational companies with operations in the UK, to continue to invest in their IT."
Tech recruitment firm Hired surveyed businesses last year, finding that the UK's skills gap will worsen if the UK can't easily employ talented tech workers from the EU.
-
New chapter, same partners: Keeping the channel aligned with changeIndustry Insights How to maintain strong channel partnerships amid evolving strategies and market change
-
Palo Alto Networks snaps up CyberArk in identity security pushNews The acquisition marks the latest in a string for Palo Alto Networks
-
Meta isn’t playing ball with the EU on the AI ActNews Europe is 'heading down the wrong path on AI', according to Meta, with the company accusing the EU of overreach
-
‘Confusing for developers and bad for users’: Apple launches appeal over ‘unprecedented’ EU fineNews Apple is pushing back against new app store rules imposed by the European Commission, suggesting a €500m fine is a step too far.
-
Apple, Meta hit back at EU after landmark DMA finesNews The European Commission has issued its first penalties under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), fining Apple €500 million and Meta €200m.
-
‘Europe could do it, but it's chosen not to do it’: Eric Schmidt thinks EU regulation will stifle AI innovation – but Britain has a huge opportunityNews Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt believes EU AI regulation is hampering innovation in the region and placing enterprises at a disadvantage.
-
The EU just shelved its AI liability directive
News The European Commission has scrapped plans to introduce the AI Liability Directive aimed at protecting consumers from harmful AI systems.
-
A big enforcement deadline for the EU AI Act just passed – here's what you need to know
News The first set of compliance deadlines for the EU AI Act passed on the 2nd of February, and enterprises are urged to ramp up preparations for future deadlines.
-
EU agrees amendments to Cyber Solidarity Act in bid to create ‘cyber shield’ for member statesNews The EU’s Cyber Solidarity Act will provide new mechanisms for authorities to bolster union-wide security practices
-
The EU's 'long-arm' regulatory approach could create frosty US environment for European tech firmsAnalysis US tech firms are throwing their toys out of the pram over the EU’s Digital Markets Act, but will this come back to bite European companies?
