Businesses have overwhelmingly backed lobby group the Confederation of British Industry despite widespread reports of misconduct, with 93% of members throwing their support behind the organisation.
In total, 371 firms took part in the vote, after a number of businesses including Aviva and John Lewis quit the group following claims of sexual harassment, while 23 members withehld their vote.
The lobby group asked its members to vote on whether its renewal plan is enough to give members “the confidence you need to support the CBI”. That plan includes a new president and giving members an annual vote on the make-up of its board.
“I hope by now you are reassured that we are not the same organisation we were 12 weeks ago. And I hope that we can merit your trust, your confidence and your vote,” CBI president Brian McBride said at the meeting.
New CBI director general Rain Newton-Smith said before the vote: “I’m confident and determined this will be a turning point for us. The start of a new chapter, for a renewed CBI,”
Former director general Tony Danker was sacked on April 11 following complaints of sexual harassment, while two women have said that they were raped while working at the business group.
Danker said he was “thrown under the bus” for the rape claims, which concern a period before his time at the CBI.
