ONE of Fareham’s most prominent IT security companies is proposing to cut jobs, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Global security firm Smoothwall, which develops firewall services for businesses, is looking to close its development office at Eagle Point in Fareham in July next year making 45 people redundant as part of an internal restructuring programme. 

The operations would then move to the company’s head office in Leeds which currently employs 35 people in admin and sales. 

Fareham Borough Council leader Sean Woodward said: “It is particularly sad coming so close to Christmas that people have been left with uncertainty about their jobs.”

Michael Marks, chief executive of Smoothwall, said: “On behalf of the Smoothwall board of directors, we can confirm that Smoothwall has today completed a period of collective consultation. 

“The period was entered with a view to bringing our technical operations into our Leeds HQ and closing our Fareham office in July 2018. 

“Staff who are not staying with the company are being offered support, advice and assistance during this time.

“The restructuring process is part of our ongoing work in developing a strategy that will prepare the company, and our customers, for sustained future success. 

“We have high ambitions, and want to ensure we build and maintain a company that has a very bright future and continues to deliver the best service to all of our customers while also innovating to improve further.

“We can confirm that during this period of transition, customers and partners will not be impacted in any way and the plans have been put in place to ultimately further improve Smoothwall service as the business continues to expand.”

The company initially opened its Fareham office at Botley Road in Park Gate in 2001 before expanding to bigger offices at Eagle Point in 2015.