Meaningful change is already under way at CBI after misconduct allegations: Beckie Hart

In order to carry on with this privilege, we must earn back the trust of our business community. Sadly, it’s become clear that the CBI is one of the many institutions currently grappling with examples of misconduct, especially against women.

The past few weeks have given rise to great introspection and self-evaluation, but also serious conviction to do better.

While this period has been heart-breaking for myself and my colleagues, I also believe that it provides us with the opportunity to reset.

Our renewed ambition to once again champion best practice for British business is fierce.

Our mission to accelerate meaningful change across every corner of the CBI is already under way.

The CBI’s governance is being overhauled to ensure greater accountability with Elizabeth Wallace’s appointment as Interim Chief People Officer being one such step.

Elizabeth will be responsible for implementing the 34 recommendations set out by Fox Williams following their independent investigation into misconduct allegations.

We have launched a root and branch review of our culture, and a permanent, independent, and confidential whistleblowing channel outside of the CBI has been put in place as a key element of our zero-tolerance approach.

We do not take our future for granted, but with your trust and support, we can continue doing what we do best: uniting local, regional, national, and international networks to champion the needs of businesses across every region in the UK.

To this end, having worked tirelessly for nearly 60 years, our footprint is tangible, including here in Yorkshire and the Humber.

From the CBI’s role in securing the Energy Bill Relief Scheme to help the firms hit hardest by rising energy prices, to supporting firms in complying with sanctions in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

From our ability to bring SME’s into detailed discussions with the Treasury about bank ringfencing debates during the financial crisis, to recent changes to the EU Retained Law Bill which would have discarded thousands of important business regulations overnight without our intervention.

The CBI represents over 3.5 million jobs and more than 150 trade associations, across farming, tech, manufacturing and more.

It is that consistent unity of voice, undivided by sector, location, or organisational size, that is powerful.

For universal issues like tax, energy, labour and skills, the CBI’s longstanding insight, access and expertise are unparalleled.

Concern around the precarious nature of the UK’s economy is palpable across the country, and we’re determined to keep advocating for the needs of our members and uphold the ambitions of people and businesses up and down the country at such a crunch point for the UK economy.

Beckie Hart is CBI regional director for Yorkshire and Humber.