Scandal-hit CBI survives crunch vote as members overwhelmingly back overhaul after lobby group was hit by slew of sex harassment claims
- Scandal-hit CBI won support of its membership after promising change
- The business body was hit by a string of sexual harassment claims in April
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has overwhelmingly won the support of its members as it promised change following a series of sexual harassment allegations.
Members were asked to vote on whether its plan for renewal is enough to give them ‘the confidence you need to support the CBI’.
The group said that 93% of members who voted had backed the motion, with 371 votes cast. It added that 23 members had withheld their vote.
A raft of major companies have already quit the CBI due to the allegations – including John Lewis, Aviva and ITV – and are not taking part in the vote, while the Government has also suspended its engagement with the group.
Director-general Rain Newton-Smith said: ‘Even an organisation as established as the CBI is only as strong as its members.
Former CBI director general Tony Danker was dismissed in April after the allegations against the business lobby group were published
Members were asked to vote on whether the Confederation of British Industry’s plan for renewal was enough to give them ‘the confidence you need to support the CBI’
‘That support is something we have never taken for granted. We will work tirelessly to repay the faith shown in us and are committed to living the values and changes we have proposed.
READ MORE: EX-CBI BOSS TONY DANKER SAYS HIS REPUTATION HAS BEEN ‘TRASHED’
‘Let me be clear: we have listened, we have acted, and we will leave no stone unturned to be the best voice for business, inside and out. ‘
Former CBI director general Tony Danker was dismissed in April.
CBI president Brian McBride said that the board and senior leaders felt ‘a collective sense of shame’ for having let down staff at the business group.
The body suspended its policy and membership activity in April after dozens of members said that they were leaving or suspending their interactions with the CBI.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt went on to question the point of liaising with the CBI after it lost such a large proportion of its membership.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Hunt said it was ‘incredibly important’ to engage with a body that represents British business.
But he added: ‘There’s no point engaging with the CBI when their own members have deserted them in droves.
‘So, we want to engage with a body that sticks up for business. It is incredibly important for me when I’m constructing budgets to have someone I can turn to who speaks for British business.’
The CBI had suspended most of its activities ahead of its membership meeting today.
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