'Terrible mistakes' | Scandal-ridden CBI faces uphill battle to rebuild its image

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is in ruins.

Until recently it was the UK’s leading business lobby. Now, its high-profile Director-General has been sacked, employees have been suspended and the police are investigating claims that there are rapists in its ranks.

What first appeared to be a one-off case of Tony Danker behaving inappropriately towards female employees quickly snowballed into weeks of revelations about its culture and the behaviour of senior staff. Reports of sexual harassment, misogyny and illicit drug use were made by women who felt empowered to come forward after the first reports surfaced.

In an open later to its 190,000 members, the CBI’s president Brian McBride admitted the organisation had hired “culturally toxic” staff and failed to hold those accused of wrongdoing accountable – while also outlining plans of how CBI will address the failings reported.