Building on our strengths

Over the past few weeks, we’ve done a lot of listening. To our staff, our members and our stakeholders.

First and foremost, we knew we needed to address the need for cultural reform. But we also knew we had to prove our value as part of the process of winning back trust. That meant spending time focusing on our purpose – and renewing it.

Our members have challenged us to prioritise more, amplify SME and regional voices better and maximise the impact of our Trade Association network. 

But predominantly members said our purpose was not an area where radical change was needed.

In a Culture and Purpose survey, around 70% of respondents in our Purpose and Culture survey cited the CBI’s ability to "speak for all business, across the whole economy on the issues of national importance" as "absolutely critical".

Nine in ten told us we should focus on achieving long-term, sustainable economic growth.

Other top priorities included equipping industry for the future of work, tackling innovation and climate challenges, and ensuring the UK is competitive and the best place in which to run and grow a business. ​We can lead with expertise on these areas, and our renewed focus and prioritisation will help us deliver positive change.  

Businesses also take real value from our policy influence and insight, and government and economic intelligence.

We will make changes in how we work

To maximise our impact, we have established three principles which will be integrated into the delivery and assessment of our work:

1. We will be transparent in our decision-making, including the campaigns we choose to focus on, areas we submit policy consultation responses to, or issues we speak out on.
2. We will be democratic in defining our positions, through how we gather member insights and feedback and how we consult. We will ensure all members have opportunities to have their voice heard and know the impact that their engagement has had. 
3. We will be evidence- led and focused in our work, ensuring our advocacy is rigorous, factual and plays to our analytical strengths. Where there are nuances across the business community, we will surface these, working closely with our Trade Association network to ensure different perspectives are understood. 

We take nothing for granted. But with our economy rebuilding from multiple shocks, and a General Election looming, there’s never been more of a need for a strong bridge between industry and government.

The CBI is clear on the path ahead. Get a member mandate at our EGM on 6 June and we will redouble our efforts to push forward with our refined purpose, to be the collective voice of business, driving sustainable growth.

For more detail, read the full prospectus.