As fDi has previously reported, companies are finding it difficult to persuade employees to move to the UK because of the change in tax laws that will take effect in 2010; the top tax rate will jump from 40% to 50% for people earning more than £150,000 ($240,000) a year.

The company says it is considering options in Ireland, Switzerland and the US, where 25% of the company’s products are made.

McDonald’s, Regus, Informa and WPP have all recently moved their tax headquarters away from the UK, while United Business Media and pharmaceuticals group Shire plan to move their headquarters to Ireland.

Ginanne Brownell