New CBI boss starts job as crisis continues

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is facing a crisis as it struggles to survive amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Rain Newton-Smith, former chief economist at the CBI, will take over as director general on Wednesday as the organisation deals with the fallout from claims of workplace harassment, sexual assault and rape. 

The CBI has admitted failing to fire staff who had sexually harassed female workers and pledged to implement recommendations following an investigation by a law firm. However, several companies including John Lewis, BMW, Virgin Media O2, Aviva, Zurich, Phoenix Group, Natwest, Mastercard, Kingfisher, ITV, Deloitte and Sage have either ended their membership or suspended activity with the organisation. The City of London Corporation has also suspended its membership. 

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has criticised the CBI, saying there is “no point engaging with the CBI when their own members have deserted them in droves”.