Insurance brokers quit CBI as corporate lobby group crisis continues amid sexual assault scandal
The CBI is still in crisis after an insurance industry association was named as one of several members who left the corporate lobby group amid a sexual assault scandal.
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association, which represents 1,800 insurance brokers and intermediaries, confirmed last night that it had torn up its membership card after allegations about senior staff at the CBI emerged earlier this month.
The association – which confirmed it had left but declined to comment further – reportedly told the CBI last week that it was leaving.
CBI president Brian McBride admitted in an interview with The Financial Times that ‘a handful’ of members had left, but stressed that the number was in ‘single digits’.
Outcast: Former CBI boss Tony Danker (pictured) was fired after apologizing for his behavior, which included sending a barrage of unwanted messages to a female colleague
McBride asked members, the public and the government to “judg us on what we do” following the publication of an inquiry into the second wave of allegations.
Engine maker Rolls-Royce is one of the big names that has said publicly that it is awaiting the outcome of the investigation before deciding whether to remain part of the group.
In a statement, the company called the allegations “deeply concerning.”
The CBI, which represents 190,000 companies nationwide, is facing an existential crisis following the claims.
Without membership subscriptions, the group loses the funding it needs to hold high-profile conferences and maintain a public presence.
Former director-general Tony Danker was fired last week after apologizing for his behavior, which included sending a barrage of unwanted messages to a female colleague.
Meanwhile, City of London Police are investigating separate claims that emerged last week that saw three members of staff suspended.
A woman said she was raped at a CBI staff party on a boat on the River Thames in 2019. There were also claims of widespread cocaine use.
The CBI has attempted to address the damage by replacing Danker with Rain Newton-Smith, the former chief economist.
But a senior industry figure told the Mail: “I don’t see them sorting anything.
“They fired their director-general without due process and also hired a replacement – a replacement who was a senior leader when the alleged incidents took place.”