Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

What Is the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)?

The term Confederation of British Industry (CBI) refers to a nonprofit organization that lobbies on behalf of businesses in the United Kingdom on national and international issues. Founded in July 1965 by a Royal Charter, the CBI's mission is to contribute to and promote the sustainable progress of U.K. businesses and industry. It also aims to help domestic businesses grow and help mitigate their risks. The CBI is fully funded by fees paid by member businesses as well as the products and services it sells.

Understanding the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

The Confederation of British Industry began operations on July 30, 1965, following the consolidation of the British Employers’ Confederation, the Federation of British Industries, and the National Association of British Manufacturers.

The U.K. went through a period of state intervention and control in the 1960s due to rampant inflation and a severe balance-of-payments crisis. The organization sought to influence the government rather than oppose it, despite calls from business members to challenge government authorities. The CBI is still a neutral party today but remains committed to being a voice for its member businesses to help shape government policy.

The nonprofit has 13 offices across the U.K., along with bureaus in Brussels, Washington D.C., Beijing, and New Delhi.

The CBI is a Royal Charter organization that represents 190,000 different businesses across the U.K. Its governing body, the CBI Council, is made up of:

There are 22 standing committees and councils that operate regionally and on specific subjects. The CBI employs more than 100 economic and policy specialists.

The CBI offers an executive leadership program to help business leaders understand the effect of economic and political policy on the business landscape.

Special Considerations

As mentioned above, the organization receives no outside funding from either the government or any other entities. Funding comes directly from member fees, along with research, surveys, and other services it sells.

The CBI provides member businesses with a variety of resources, such as:

By joining forces under one unit, the business community in the U.K. benefits by bringing subjects of interest to the forefront of the political agenda in a collaborative effort. Members also gain valuable insights from experts that span all sectors and industries. For instance, business leaders can access market surveys, forecasts, and analyses to help make informed decisions and policy changes, which can lead to their success.