WIREDGOV

CBI Director-General John Cridland said:

“The CBI’s income comes, overwhelmingly, from the subscriptions paid by our members.   

“The Royal Charter, which created the CBI, specifically allows public sector organisations to join and we have some, mainly universities, in membership. They join because they operate in a commercial environment, value business links and are major employers.  

“From time to time, the CBI also works alongside government and other bodies on projects such as events aimed at increasing exports or supporting regional networking. 

“While public sector members are a tiny proportion of our overall membership and represent less than five per cent of our income, the CBI is proud to represent these organisations as part of its diverse membership. Overall, the CBI speaks for 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors who, collectively, shape and influence our stance on relevant issues, including Europe.” 

Notes to Editors:

The CBI is a not-for-profit organisation that was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1965, merging three existing trade bodies: the Federation of British Industries, the British Employers’ Confederation and the National Association of British Manufacturers. The CBI’s membership is comprised of a confederation of 140 trade association alongside the larger and growing businesses who tend to join the CBI directly.

The Royal Charter specifically references public sector members, stating:

“The following shall be eligible to be Public Sector Members of the Confederation:- any nationalised industry, public corporation or other public enterprise which would in other respects be eligible as an Industrial or Commercial Member and which in the opinion of the Finance and General Purposes Committee is properly admissible to membership as a Public Sector Member. Public Sector Members, by virtue of their special relationship with the Government, shall be at all times dissociated from pronouncements on questions that might be the subject of political controversy.”