ZTE, the Chinese telecoms group barred by the Trump administration from doing business with US companies, has swept aside its top management to regain access to the American market.

However, the Shenzhen-based maker of smartphones and telecoms equipment will continue to be led by longtime employees. The board unanimously approved changes including the promotion of three existing employees to top jobs, according to a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

In April the US banned ZTE from doing business with American groups for seven years — bringing the company to a standstill after it was forced to halt operations. That move came after the company was found in breach of an $892m settlement reached last year for violating US sanctions on Iran and North Korea.