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Dozens of major companies and trade bodies have announced plans to leave the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) after more than a dozen allegations of sexual misconduct by women working for the group. Aviva insurer has become the first to leave the influential trade body, which claims to represent some 190,000 businesses across the UK. Several companies also said they were or would be reviewing their membership or suspending business with the CBI.
These included PwC, Asda, Shell, National Grid, Lloyds Banking Group, Diageo, GSK and others.
Below is a list of some of the companies and organizations that have so far announced their intention to leave the group or suspend their membership and the statements they have made, if any.
– Association of British Insurers
"It has become untenable to retain our membership in light of new serious allegations and we have informed the CBI of our decision to leave with immediate effect," an ABI spokesperson said.
– Aviva
"In light of the very serious allegations made and the CBI's handling of the process and response, we believe that the CBI can no longer fulfill its primary role – to be a representative voice for business in the UK." an Aviva spokesperson said. .
"Therefore, we have regrettably terminated our membership with immediate effect."
–BMW Group
"BMW Group is concerned by the CBI allegations," a BMW spokesman said.
"Therefore, the group has decided to terminate your membership with immediate effect."
– British Beer and Pub Association
“After further discussion with our Board of Directors this afternoon, we have made the decision to terminate our CBI membership effective immediately,” the BBPA tweeted.
– LV Group
"In light of the egregious allegations made, BT Group has decided to suspend its CBI membership with immediate effect," a BT spokesperson said.
– Energy UK
"Energy UK has decided to terminate its CBI membership with immediate effect in light of the very serious allegations that have been reported," an Energy UK spokesperson said.
“We know these allegations will also be shocking and upsetting to the CBI personnel we work with. We will review the situation after the CBI investigations are completed and what action it will take accordingly.
-HEY
"EY has terminated its CBI membership and all associated activities with immediate effect," an EY spokesperson said.
–JLL
“We are terminating our CBI membership with immediate effect and have notified them,” said Stephanie Hyde, UK managing director of JLL.
"In light of harrowing allegations, which continue to point to a culture that is not aligned with our values, our relationship with the CBI has become untenable."
– John Lewis Society
"Due to the very serious and persistent new allegations regarding the CBI, we have decided to terminate our membership with immediate effect," a spokesman for the John Lewis Partnership said.
- Kingfisher
"In light of the very serious and ongoing new allegations, we have made the decision to end our CBI membership today," a Kingfisher spokesperson said.
–Mark & Spencer
“We have suspended our CBI membership while these allegations are investigated,” an M&S spokesperson said.
–Mastercard
“We have resigned our CBI membership. The allegations are extremely concerning and must be addressed immediately by the proper authorities," a Mastercard spokesperson said.
– Popular association
"Following the very serious allegations made, we have made the decision to no longer be members of the CBI," said People's Partnership political director Phil Brown.
– Phoenix
"Following the allegations reported this morning, we have made the decision to resign our CBI membership with immediate effect," a spokesperson said.
– Sainsbury's
A Sainsbury's spokesperson confirmed that the company had suspended its membership.
–Schröders
"At this time, we do not believe that the CBI is the appropriate organization to represent our views, so we have decided to step aside," a Schroders spokesman said.
– Scottish power
"We are deeply concerned by these extremely serious allegations and are suspending our CBI membership with immediate effect," a ScottishPower spokesman said.
–Tesco
"We are deeply concerned by these very serious allegations and have suspended our CBI membership with immediate effect," a Tesco spokesman said.
–Unilever
"Due to the very serious and ongoing allegations, we can confirm that we have suspended our CBI membership," a Unilever spokesman said.
– O2 blank media
"While we respect the ongoing investigations, these disturbing allegations and the way the situation has been handled are not representative of business in Britain," a Virgin Media O2 spokesperson said.
"Therefore, we have informed the CBI that we are terminating our membership."
– Zurich UK
“We are deeply concerned by the allegations made about the CBI and have decided to end our membership with immediate effect,” a Zurich UK spokesperson said.
PA files
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