Confederation of British Industry

Professional services

A UK business-interest organization that represents companies and trade associations, conducts economic research, and advocates for business policy.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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Overview

The Confederation of British Industry, commonly known as the CBI, is a United Kingdom business-interest organization established in 1965. It was created through the merger of three employer and industry bodies: the Federation of British Industries, the British Employers' Confederation, and the National Association of British Manufacturers. Established under a royal charter, the CBI describes its purpose as promoting the conditions in which businesses of different sizes and sectors can compete and prosper for the wider benefit of society. The organization is not a commercial product brand or a conventional trade association for one industry. It functions as a broad business confederation and policy institution. Its membership has included large companies, mid-sized firms, small and privately owned businesses, universities, trade associations, and other public bodies. The CBI has stated that it represents approximately 190,000 businesses, comprising roughly 1,500 direct corporate and institutional members and about 188,500 businesses represented indirectly through around 140 affiliated trade associations. The indirect membership figure reflects the membership of those associations rather than a conventional one-company-one-membership structure. The CBI's policy coverage spans agriculture, automotive, aerospace, construction, creative industries, education, financial services, information technology, manufacturing, professional services, retail, transport, tourism, utilities, and other parts of the economy. It develops positions through committees and councils representing regions, nations, sectors, small and medium-sized enterprises, and trade associations. Its governance framework includes the CBI Council, a Chairs' Committee, a Board, a President's Committee, and a management structure led by the Director-General. The organization is formally non-partisan and has said that it takes steps to preserve political neutrality. Its principal activities are lobbying and consultation with the UK government and public institutions, representation of business interests, economic and regulatory analysis, networking, and publication of business surveys and policy reports. Its research program has included industrial, distributive, service-sector, financial-sector, small-business, and investment-intentions surveys, as well as occasional work on procurement, employment, skills, education, London business conditions, and workplace absence. The CBI also publishes member-oriented material such as Business Voice and strategic guidance under the Intelligence FIRST name. The organization developed an international presence alongside its UK regional and national network. It opened a Brussels office in 1971 and later established offices in Washington, D.C., Beijing, and New Delhi. These offices supported its work on international trade, investment, European policy, and relationships with overseas governments and business organizations. Within the UK, the CBI has maintained teams in England's regions as well as Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. A major reputational crisis emerged in 2023 after reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, bullying, and other misconduct involving current and former staff. The allegations led to an independent investigation, the departure of Director-General Tony Danker, the suspension of employees, cancellation of events, and the withdrawal or temporary suspension of participation by numerous corporate members. Rain Newton-Smith became Director-General in April 2023. The CBI subsequently commissioned work on cultural and governance reform and sought to rebuild member confidence while facing significant financial pressure. Reporting in 2024 described the use of non-disclosure agreements and settlements in some employment cases, as well as substantial staff reductions and a precarious financial position. Rupert Soames became President in early 2024. The CBI has remained an active business-policy organization, although the 2023 crisis materially affected its membership base, public standing, and operating model.

History

The Confederation of British Industry was formed in 1965 by combining the Federation of British Industries, the British Employers' Confederation, and the National Association of British Manufacturers. The merger created a single national body intended to represent business interests across the UK economy rather than a narrow industrial constituency. The new organization operated under a royal charter and developed a role that combined employer representation, policy advocacy, economic research, and consultation with government. During its early decades, the CBI became a significant participant in national economic and industrial debates. It represented businesses through direct membership and through affiliated trade associations, allowing its policy work to cover both major corporations and smaller firms. Its committees and councils became important mechanisms for consulting members and formulating positions on taxation, regulation, employment, industrial strategy, trade, investment, infrastructure, and economic growth. The CBI began expanding its international presence in 1971 with an office in Brussels. The office supported engagement with European institutions and business networks, a role that became increasingly relevant as the UK's economic and regulatory relationship with Europe developed. Further offices were opened in Washington, D.C., in 2002, Beijing in 2005, and New Delhi in 2011. Alongside these overseas locations, the organization maintained regional and national teams throughout the United Kingdom, including operations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The CBI's activities have extended beyond lobbying. It has produced recurring surveys covering industrial trends, distribution, services, financial services, small and medium-sized enterprises, and investment intentions. It has also issued occasional studies on procurement, skills, education, employment, absence, supply chains, and regional business conditions. These publications have supplied members, journalists, policymakers, and other stakeholders with data on business confidence and operating conditions. The organization has distributed member communications including Business Voice and Intelligence FIRST, which has provided analysis of political, economic, and regulatory developments. In 2014, the CBI moved its London headquarters from Centre Point to Cannon Place above Cannon Street railway station. The move reflected the organization's continuing presence in the City of London and its role as a national policy body with links to financial, industrial, professional, and public-sector networks. The CBI has periodically used public-facing campaigns to explain the role of business in society. In 2014 it launched The Great Business Debate, designed to address relatively weak public confidence in business and to encourage discussion about the economic and social contribution of companies. Other policy initiatives have addressed mid-sized growth companies through Future Champions, industrial policy through Industrial Futures, and the resilience of UK supply chains. The organization's most serious modern crisis began in 2023. Reports initially concerned a complaint about the conduct of Director-General Tony Danker, but further reporting alleged a wider pattern of sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual misconduct involving current and former employees, including allegations of rape. The CBI initiated an independent investigation, canceled events including its annual dinner, and suspended employees. Danker was dismissed in April 2023, and Rain Newton-Smith, previously the CBI's chief economist, became Director-General. Several prominent companies ended their memberships or paused participation, creating reputational and financial pressure. The CBI appointed Fox Williams to investigate the allegations and later engaged Principia Advisory to identify institutional causes and recommend cultural and governance reforms. A member vote in June 2023 supported the organization's continuation, but low turnout limited the significance of the result. By September, reports described an urgent effort to raise funds from members and a postponed annual general meeting. The organization also explored discussions with Make UK about cooperation or a possible merger. In 2024, reporting described non-disclosure agreements connected with some staff settlements, a total settlement bill approaching £1 million, and the loss of roughly one-third of a workforce of about 300 over the preceding year. Rupert Soames became President in early 2024. The CBI continued operating, but its post-2023 role and influence depended on rebuilding trust, membership, finances, and internal culture.

2024
Rupert Soames becomes President
[3]CBI people and governancecbi.org.uk
Rupert Soames takes up the CBI presidency during the organization's recovery and restructuring period.
2023
Organization enters misconduct crisis
[4]The Guardian reporting on CBI allegationstheguardian.com
Reports of sexual misconduct and workplace failures lead to investigations, leadership changes, canceled events, member departures, and reform efforts.
2014
London headquarters moves to Cannon Place
[1]Confederation of British Industryen.wikipedia.org
The CBI relocates its headquarters from Centre Point to Cannon Place in the City of London.
2011
New Delhi office opens
[1]Confederation of British Industryen.wikipedia.org
An office in New Delhi extends the CBI's international representation into India.
2005
Beijing office opens
[1]Confederation of British Industryen.wikipedia.org
The CBI adds a Beijing office to support UK business engagement with China.
2002
Washington office opens
[1]Confederation of British Industryen.wikipedia.org
The organization expands its international network with an office in Washington, D.C.
1971
Brussels office opens
[1]Confederation of British Industryen.wikipedia.org
The CBI establishes a Brussels presence to engage with European institutions and business-policy networks.
1965
CBI is established
[1]Confederation of British Industryen.wikipedia.org
The Federation of British Industries, British Employers' Confederation, and National Association of British Manufacturers merge to create the Confederation of British Industry.

Products and positioning

A broad, non-partisan UK business confederation positioned as a collective voice for companies and trade associations across sectors and sizes. It combines lobbying, policy research, economic intelligence, networking, and international representation rather than selling consumer products.

Research and intelligence
CBI economic surveys
Recurring surveys provide indicators on business conditions and expectations across industrial, distribution, service, financial, SME, and investment-related sectors. They are used by members and external stakeholders to monitor confidence, demand, costs, hiring, investment, and other operating trends. Access and detailed interpretation have primarily been oriented toward CBI members.
Policy research
Policy reports and briefings
The CBI produces analysis and recommendations on economic growth, industrial strategy, regulation, employment, skills, education, procurement, infrastructure, trade, investment, supply chains, and regional business conditions. These publications translate member consultation and research into positions intended to inform ministers, officials, Parliament, journalists, and business decision-makers.
Business advocacy · 1965
Member representation
Through direct membership, trade-association channels, councils, committees, meetings, and government engagement, the CBI represents business views in policy discussions. Its membership model is designed to combine the perspectives of large companies, mid-sized businesses, SMEs, privately owned firms, universities, and sector bodies.
Member publication
Business Voice
Business Voice is a CBI publication for members that communicates organizational positions, business developments, policy issues, and relevant activity across the confederation.

Controversies

2023
Sexual misconduct and workplace culture crisis
Reports in 2023 described allegations of sexual harassment, bullying, sexual assault, and rape involving current and former CBI staff. The organization commissioned investigations, suspended employees, canceled events, dismissed Director-General Tony Danker, and faced extensive member withdrawals or pauses. Subsequent reporting concerned reform efforts, non-disclosure agreements, employment settlements, and staff reductions.
Source

2014The Great Business Debate
United Kingdom
A public-facing campaign created to improve confidence in business and encourage discussion about the contribution companies make to society and the economy. It used a website, social-media activity, and events across the UK.
Outcome. The campaign established a continuing public-engagement platform for the CBI, although no independently verified long-term change in public attitudes is specified in the available material.
Source
Future Champions
United Kingdom
A CBI initiative highlighting the economic role and growth potential of mid-sized businesses and advocating conditions that would help them expand.
Outcome. The initiative contributed to the CBI's policy agenda on mid-sized companies; a separate quantified outcome is not available in the supplied material.
Source
Industrial Futures
United Kingdom
A policy campaign examining how government could support economic growth and industrial capacity.
Outcome. The campaign produced policy discussion on industrial intervention and growth, without a specified single implementation outcome.
Source

Brand decisions

2023
Replace the Director-General during the misconduct investigationOther
Background
Reports of alleged misconduct initially focused on Tony Danker and were followed by wider allegations concerning the organization's workplace culture.
Action taken
The CBI used Matthew Fell as an interim leader, dismissed Danker in April, and appointed Rain Newton-Smith as Director-General.
Aftermath
The leadership change occurred alongside independent investigations, event cancellations, member departures, and a wider effort to rebuild trust.
Source
2023
Commission cultural and governance renewal workStrategy
Background
The misconduct crisis created a need to identify organizational failures and establish measures to improve governance, culture, and member confidence.
Action taken
The CBI appointed Principia Advisory to identify root causes and recommend changes for cultural renewal and trust rebuilding.
Aftermath
The organization reported a member vote supporting continuation, but continued to face financial pressure and reputational damage.
Source
2023
Discuss possible cooperation with Make UKM&A
Background
The CBI entered discussions with Make UK while its membership and financial position were under pressure.
Action taken
The organizations explored working together, with a possible merger reportedly among the options.
Aftermath
The available material does not establish that a merger was completed.
Source

Recent events

2023
CBI holds talks with Make UK about possible cooperation[9]Discuss possible cooperation with Make UKtheguardian.com
M&A
The CBI confirmed discussions with Make UK that could have included closer collaboration or a possible merger.

Sources12 sources

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