A new business lobbying council has been established, with some of the largest companies in the United Kingdom as its founding members.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has launched the Business Council to “design and drive the future of the British economy.”
Among its new members are Heathrow, BP, IHG Hotels, and Drax.
After being plagued by severe sexual allegations, the troubled CBI is now facing a crucial vote on its future.
The CBI has surveyed its existing membership regarding a series of reforms; the outcome will be disclosed at an important meeting on Tuesday.
Prior to the vote, it has received the public support of thirteen companies, including manufacturing titan Siemens and the world’s largest computer software company, Microsoft.
Companies sign a letter of support for the CBI prior to a crucial vote.
However, the new group will seek the support of companies that severed ties with the CBI, including household names such as John Lewis and BMW.
The BCC supports and connects tens of thousands of businesses in the United Kingdom and abroad, and is known for publishing a quarterly economic survey.
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, and Baroness Martha Lane Fox, president of the British Chambers of Commerce, will join business executives in London on Monday to discuss the work of the BCC’s new council to represent the interests of British businesses.
Ms. Haviland stated, “Over the past few months, we’ve had conversations with the nation’s largest corporations, and it’s become clear that they want a different kind of representation.”
She added, “These businesses want to be a part of a framework that is rooted in their local communities, but has the ability to shape the national and international debate.”
Ms. Haviland stated that the Business Council would concentrate on a future-oriented initiative titled Digital Revolution.
People and Work Net Zero Globally in the United Kingdom
The new group will not know until Tuesday how much support its competitor will continue to receive, but Rain Newton-Smith, the new director general of the CBI, has characterised the vote as “crucial” to its future.
The BBC’s business editor, Simon Jack, stated that it was difficult to overlook the timing of the BCC’s announcement, stating that the launch represented a “struggle for the trust of business and the ear of government.”
A CBI source stated, “The timing of this is extremely advantageous. We believe that a collaborative approach to business is more effective”.
The Sunday Times reported over the weekend that the former director general of the CBI, Tony Danker, was intending to sue his former employer after being fired over sexual misconduct allegations.
