No fanfare, but the CBI finds its voice again

Scaled down after scandal and shorn of Rishi Sunak, the group’s conference is back
Alex Ralph
The Times
Rain Newton-Smith, who took over from Tony Danker in April, was quick to acknowledge the crisis that engulfed the CBI
Rain Newton-Smith, who took over from Tony Danker in April, was quick to acknowledge the crisis that engulfed the CBI
AARON CHOWN/PA
Alex Ralph
The Times

Eight months after a workplace sexual misconduct scandal erupted and the CBI became embroiled in an existential crisis, the business lobby group has hosted its first significant public event.

The gathering, held at the QEII Centre in Westminster only two days before the government’s autumn statement, hosted 400 delegates and was seen as a relaunch moment. It was also in stark contrast to the corresponding event in Birmingham last year. Then, a far larger audience sat down to a two-day spectacle, including addresses from the prime minister and the leader of the opposition and panels featuring more senior business leaders.

Last year’s conference was led by Tony Danker, who was dismissed as director-general of the CBI in April after an investigation over complaints of misconduct