Scandal-hit CBI appoints new chief to crack down on its ‘toxic culture’ after lobby group fired its director general and other staff members after allegations of sexual misconduct
- Former Director-General Tony Danker was fired after misconduct allegations
- Chief people officer Elizabeth Wallace has been hired to crack down on problem
CBI has appointed a new chief to crack down on its ‘toxic culture’ after the lobby group fired its director general and other staff members following allegations of sexual misconduct.
Chief people officer Elizabeth Wallace has been hired to implement a series of reforms at the under-pressure trade body.
It comes after Director-General Tony Danker was fired following misconduct claims.
More than a dozen women who worked for the CBI alleged to The Guardian that they were sexually harassed by colleagues. Two said they were raped.
It sparked a major crisis for the CBI, which has suspended most of its operations and promised to come back to members with a plan for the future in June.
Chief people officer Elizabeth Wallace has been hired to implement a series of reforms at the under-pressure trade body CBI
Former Director-General Tony Danker (pictured) was fired over misconduct allegations
In his first interview since his firing on April 11, Mr Danker – pictured with Rishi Sunak – told the BBC his name had been wrongly associated with separate claims
The board also tasked lawyers at Fox Williams to investigate its internal culture, flag any issues and make recommendations for how it can improve.
Ms Wallace faces the task of implementing the lawyers’ 35 recommendations, one of which was the creation of her position.
READ MORE: Scandal-hit CBI accuses sacked boss Tony Danker of being ‘selective’ over his account of misconduct claims against him after he said he’d been made ‘the fall guy’
She will sit on the CBI’s executive committee and report directly to the board about the CBI’s workplace conduct and culture.
‘Her role will be integral in reforming our people strategy – defining our shared values as we collectively recover from the challenges of recent weeks,’ said new CBI director general Rain Newton-Smith.
‘With over two decades’ worth of experience, I’m confident that her guidance will accelerate our efforts to effect meaningful change across the CBI.’
Ms Wallace said: ‘I am delighted to have the trust of the director general Rain Newton-Smith and the board to lead the way on cultural transformation here at the CBI.
‘Making sure the newly created chief people officer role becomes a permanent part of the CBI’s DNA will be front of mind as I work with people across the organisation to strengthen our employee experience offering.’
Ms Wallace formerly worked for private equity firm Hg and investment company BlackRock.
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