Boeing picks Britain as home for its new European headquarters

Boeing has chosen Britain as home for its new European headquarters in a major boost to campaigners in favour of the UK leaving the EU.

The world’s largest aircraft maker shrugged off Brexit concerns to select London as the base for its entire European operation.

The Britain Stronger In Europe campaign has claimed that a vote to leave the EU would spark an exodus of firms. But Boeing said its new European hub would remain regardless of how the public vote in June.

Vote of confidence: Boeing has chosen London as home for its new European headquarters claiming Britain is crucial to its business

A spokesman added: ‘Boeing has a long-standing relationship with the UK and it is a critical market for the company.’

Sir Michael Arthur, the former British Ambassador to Germany who is currently president of Boeing United Kingdom and Ireland, has been appointed head of the European operation.

Boeing currenty employs 2,000 staff in the UK. It has also invested £1.8billion in the country.

The announcement by Boeing comes after a host of business heavyweights were persuaded to come out in favour of Britain staying in Europe. 

As many as 36 bosses of firms on Britain’s leading FTSE 100 index put their name to a letter that claimed a Brexit would cause untold damage to economic growth.

They claimed: ‘We believe that leaving the EU would deter investment, threaten jobs, and put the economy at risk.

‘Britain will be stronger, safer, and better off remaining a member of the EU.’

The letter included signatures from bosses at Asda, BT, Kingfisher and Vodafone but had some notable absences, such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Barclays.

Boeing said it will push ahead with its investment in Britain regardless but added: ‘This announcement is entirely separate to the EU or Brexit debate, on which Boeing is neutral.’

Prime Minister, David Cameron has set the date for the referendum on EU membership for June 23.

In the past few weeks, Downing Street has gone into overdrive warning about the potential economic damage of a Brexit.