Rain Newton-Smith, the new leader of the CBI, has hired Principia to assess the organization’s culture before an EGM on June 6 that will determine the lobbying group’s future.
The crisis-stricken Four weeks before a membership meeting that will determine CBI’s future, the CBI has hired a business ethics consulting firm to assist in a review of its corporate culture.
Rain Newton-Smith, the new CBI director-general, has approved Principia’s appointment two weeks after the departure of corporate sponsors.
The largest business lobbying group in Britain is facing an existential crisis due to its management of rape and other sexual misconduct allegations.
It has suspended the majority of its activities pending the outcome of a root-and-branch review, and many of its longtime supporters, such as Aviva and John Lewis Partnership, have abandoned it.
It fired its director-general, Tony Danker, after an investigation into his behavior last month. Although he later accused the CBI of “throwing me under the bus.”
Ms. Newton-Smith informed members on Friday morning of an EGM to decide the CBI’s destiny.
“We have now selected Principia Advisory after reviewing several proposals last week,” she wrote.
They are experts in constructing ethical organizations and will collaborate with us to identify the fundamental causes of past failure and to recommend the necessary changes for cultural renewal and re-establishing trust.
They will provide us with the required independent, rigorous analysis and extensive knowledge of conduct and culture.
Ms. Newton-Smith stated that the CBI required “concrete actions and transparency about what we’re doing so that everyone feels empowered to share their stories and knows they will be supported”
She added that the company’s employees were “already doing what they do best, collaborating with brilliant ideas and commitment.”
“However, members must also be at the center of this work,” she wrote.
“Without a mandate from you, we have no future.”
“With a general election looming, it is imperative that the business community be addressed”.
We’ll keep providing economic insights to help you make smarter decisions in these tough times.
“I just hope that, by working together, we can rebuild our culture, redefine our purpose, and regain your trust so that we can help make this happen.”
A CBI spokesperson verified Ms. Newton-Smith’s memo’s contents.
