Head of UK business group steps aside over conduct probe

THE director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has stepped aside from the role while an independent probe into his workplace conduct is carried out.

The CBI, Britain’s most influential business lobby group, said it was made aware of an allegation regarding Tony Danker’s conduct in January. After an investigation, it said it determined the issue did not require disciplinary action. 

However, in a statement on Monday (Mar 6), the CBI said that it was made aware of new reports about Danker on Mar 2, and that it had launched an independent investigation into the new matters. The non-profit added that it took “all matters of workplace conduct extremely seriously”.

Danker, who asked to step aside while the inquiry is carried out, posted a statement on Twitter to say it was “mortifying to hear” that he had “caused offence or anxiety to any colleague”.

“It was completely unintentional, and I apologise profusely,” he wrote, adding that he was cooperating with the probe.

The CBI, which says it represents 190,000 businesses, campaigns on everything from taxes to employment issues and investing for growth. Danker has led the organisation since November 2020. Before that, he held a range of roles, including as a policy adviser to the UK government’s cabinet office and treasury. He also held roles at McKinsey & Co, as well as at Guardian News & Media.

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The Guardian, which reported the news earlier, said Danker’s decision to step aside came after the newspaper approached the CBI over a complaint that was made in January by a female employee, as well as other concerns. BLOOMBERG