The CBI’s boss must battle not just its culture, but the competition too

Rain Newton-Smith hopes to reanimate the scandal-plagued British lobby group this week: but is it still even a necessary voice?

The CBI’s new boss, Rain Newton-Smith, faces a make-or-break moment on Tuesday, as the scandal-hit lobbying group’s members meet to decide its fate.

She published a 30-page recovery plan last week, promising “a renewed CBI,” as she battles to bring the confederation back from the brink of extinction. Its 300 staff were warned last week that would mean job cuts, as the wage bill is reduced by a third.