The Confederation of British Industry, which faced a mass exodus of members and severe financial difficulties after the allegations emerged in April 2023, has taken major steps to restore its standing.
The group has cut a third of its staff, closed its international offices and overhauled its management structure. These efforts appear to be paying off, with major companies returning to the union’s regional councils and committees.
AstraZeneca, the UK’s most valuable public company, is now represented on several key CBI committees, including the Chairman’s Committee and the Tax Committee, after having ceased to participate during the investigation. Unilever and GlaxoSmithKline have also resumed active roles, while new members, including JLL and Drax, have joined the CBI leadership ranks.
Despite the progress made by the organisation, leading retailers Tesco and John Lewis have yet to renew their membership. The CBI remains optimistic about its future, planning to host a high-profile summer reception in September and publish its annual report in October, highlighting ongoing efforts to rebuild trust and strengthen relations with the new government.