Confederation of British Industry
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is a British business interest group, which says it represents 190,000 businesses.[1] The CBI has been described by the Financial Times as "Britain's biggest business lobby group".[2] Incorporated by royal charter,[3] its mission is to promote the conditions in which businesses of all sizes and sectors in the UK can compete and prosper for the benefit of all. In 2023, the association was shaken by numerous accusations of sexual misconduct in the organisation.
Abbreviation
CBI
1965
Non-profit organisation created by royal charter
British industry
- Cannon Street, London, EC4
United Kingdom
CBI Council
Membership[edit]
The CBI's membership includes companies from the FTSE 100, mid-caps, SMEs, privately owned businesses, trade associations, universities and other public bodies. The CBI has members in many sectors: agriculture, automotive, aerospace, construction, creative, education, financial services, IT, manufacturing, professional services, retail, transport, tourism and utilities.[4]
The CBI is made up of around 1,500 direct members and 188,500 non-members. The non-members are represented through 140 trade associations within the confederation, for whose memberships the CBI also asserts representation, but which are not involved in the CBI's policy formulation. The National Farmers' Union, with 55,000 members, is the largest component of the 188,500 non-members the CBI says it represents. The Country Land and Business Association brings another 30,000 non-members, the Freight Transport Association 13,000, the Federation of Master Builders 9,500, the Road Haulage Association 8,100 and the National Federation of Builders 1,400.
Role[edit]
The CBI works to promote business interests by lobbying and advising governments, networking with other businesses and creating intelligence through analysis of government policies and compilation of statistics, both in the United Kingdom and internationally through their offices in Beijing, Brussels, New Delhi and Washington, D.C.[5]
The organisation is non-partisan and has sought legal advice to ensure neutrality.[6]
Structure[edit]
The most recent Director-General was Tony Danker, who assumed the role on 30 November 2020, but had to step aside after misconduct allegations in March 2023, with Matthew Fell being appointed on an interim basis.[7] Danker’s dismissal was announced on 11 April 2023. His successor is Rain Newton-Smith, previously chief economist at the CBI.[8]
The CBI is governed by its royal charter and by the CBI Council, which is able to delegate many of its roles to the Chairs' Committee and Board. Final policy positions are mandated by the CBI Chairs' Committee, which has a seat for all of the chairs of its regional and national councils and subject-based policy standing committees, SME Council and Trade Association Council. The Chairs' Committee meets following each Standing Committee and Regional Council round.[9]
The CBI's strategic and financial decisions are decided on by the CBI Board, which is chaired by the CBI President and includes the support and guidance of 4 other non-executives. Day-to-day management of the CBI is in the hands of the Director-General supported by a Management Board, made up of a number of CBI directors.[9]
A President's Committee, made up of members, advises the president. The president, with the approval of the Chairs' Committee (under its delegated powers), appoints the director-general, who is responsible for the management of the CBI.[3]
It has offices based in every region of the UK, including teams in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, along with offices in Washington D.C, New Delhi, Beijing and Brussels.[10]
In September 2023, the CBI confirmed it was holding talks with Make UK about working together that could include a possible merger.[11]
The CBI conducts numerous surveys that are of particular use to its members and stakeholders. Research is available to the relevant sections of its membership. The CBI's surveys are currently:[36]
Occasional surveys include:
CBI policy is decided through consultation with its members – companies from all sectors and sizes of business across the UK are directly involved in the policy-making process. The CBI publishes numerous reports each year on a wide range of issues that of interest and relevance to its members. Recent campaigns include "Future Champions",[37] promoting the contribution and role of mid-sized businesses, "Industrial Futures",[38] looking at how government should intervene in the economy to promote growth, and a report on the need to strengthen UK supply chains published in 2014.[39]
The CBI publishes ‘Business Voice’,[40] a monthly magazine for its membership and ‘Intelligence FIRST’,[41] an occasional publication providing strategic guidance for members on regulatory and economic change.
The Great Business Debate[edit]
In September 2014, the CBI started The Great Business Debate campaign aimed at increasing public confidence in business. Survey data found that only around 50% of people in the UK think that business contributes positively to society and the campaign was initiated to play a part in increasing that figure. A website and social media channels have been set up to openly promote the contribution business makes whilst enabling people and organisations to give their opinions on this. It is planned that various events and other occurrences will take place across the UK as part of the campaign.[42]