Shire, the pharmaceutical company based in Basingstoke, has announced that over 150 jobs are set to be cut as part of the latest company restructure. The organisation has been aiming to combine all its divisions into one, in a bid to make their business structure less complicated and more efficient. This will reduce overheads and the overall workload for the company; work that was once duplicated will now run as one operation.

The company has admitted its disappointment at the job losses, but argues it is vital for the business to progress in the long run. Job cuts in any company are never going to be received well.

The Basingstoke branch will remain as one of Shire’s top operational areas, with many links to UK clients being held here. A large number of the company’s shareholders are also based in the UK, so it is important for them to maintain this area of the business. They have, however, announced plans to move their Swiss branch to a new city, where there will be more opportunities to generate business and network with other relevant companies.

It is an uncertain time for staff based at the Basingstoke branch of Shire. It is not yet clear who will be affected by the job cuts, but what is certain is that big changes lie ahead for the business as a whole.