In response to the outcome of a confidence vote by CBI members, UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls, said:
“Over the past few months, UKHospitality has played a leading role in working with other major trade bodies to engage collaboratively with Government on issues affecting our members. This work played a key role in filling the void left by the CBI and ensured critical priorities for the business community remained in active discussion with Government.
“This group has ensured that the concerns and interests of the majority of businesses, the workers they employ and the customers they serve are understood by Government. Part of this joint engagement has been to feed directly into the CBI on how it can be most effective particularly regarding how its convening power and sector co-ordination functions moving forwards.
“Following today’s meeting, UKHospitality will continue to monitor the CBI’s activity over the coming months and review our engagement as appropriate.”
In addition, UKHospitality was part of a joint statement released by trade bodies following the vote. These organisations are:
• British Retail Consortium (BRC)
• Build UK
• Energy UK
• Food and Drink Federation (FDF)
• National Farmers Union (NFU)
• Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)
• Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
• TechUK
• UK Hospitality
The joint statement is as follows:
“We welcome, too, the CBI’s recognition that it must change, following serious allegations about its culture and the behaviour of some staff, which prompted police investigations. We believe that the prospectus they put to the EGM sets out a credible way forward, which we are prepared to support.
“However, that journey of change has only just begun, and we will hold the CBI and its Board to account and tighter scrutiny, to ensure that all members – including the many sector trade associations in membership – can be confident that the CBI’s culture, role and purpose are refreshed and responsive to our needs.
“Our associations drive both the UK’s employment and economy, so it’s critical that the CBI ensures that trade associations are at the heart of its work. That includes incorporating trade bodies in the CBI’s governance, and a plan to ensure it enables and amplifies sectoral advocacy, rather than duplicates it.
“The coming weeks and months must see the CBI put words into action and deliver the far-reaching changes it has promised, then it will be able to win back everyone’s trust and confidence.”
