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Some of the CBI’s remaining members are warning that they will terminate their association with the crisis-hit lobbying group if it cements a full merger with Make UK, the manufacturers’ trade body.
Sky News has learnt that a number of individual company members and trade associations are discussing ending their memberships if the tie-up goes ahead.
Several from outside the manufacturing sector said privately on Thursday that they had no interest in participating in an organisation dominated by Make UK’s leadership.
The financially troubled CBI is in discussions about collaborating with Make UK in a move largely designed to avert a growing cash crisis at what was once Britain’s most influential business group, as Sky News revealed last week.
Sources said the CBI could be as little as four weeks from running out of money, with insolvency experts on hand to provide advice to its board.
One person said on Thursday that the talks with Make UK could involve the creation of a new umbrella body under which both groups would sit.
Stephen Phipson, the Make UK chief executive, would be likely to lead the merged or umbrella organisation, according to insiders.
Make UK is in rude financial health, meaning its balance sheet would offer the CBI a safe haven.
However, any further exodus of CBI members would risk reducing its influence and recovery prospects in the aftermath of the sexual misconduct scandal that engulfed it earlier this year.
Some CBI members complain that they have been left in the dark about the agenda for its annual meeting next Wednesday.
“We have had no outreach from them whatsoever,”…
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