\nRead More<\/h3>\n<\/aside>\n The group was forced back to the drawing board in April to come up with a plan which it hopes can help members regain their confidence in its ability to represent them.<\/p>\n
But the BCC\u2019s rival group is hoping to garner the support of those businesses who have ended or suspended their membership with the CBI and are not part of the vote.<\/p>\n
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the BCC, said: \u201cWe have been talking to the nation\u2019s largest corporates and it has become clear to us that they are looking for a different kind of representation.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\u201cThese businesses want to be part of a framework that\u2019s rooted in their local communities, but with the ability to shape the national and international debate.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cThe Council is a long-term project and will bring together leaders from across UK industry to consider the key policy issues faced by British businesses, and work on Future of the Economy initiative, convened by our president, Baroness Martha Lane Fox.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the Business Council will focus on five challenges facing the economy \u2013 the digital revolution, people and work, net zero, global Britain and the high street.<\/p>\n
Ms Haviland said: \u201cThese challenges will form the backdrop to the next general election, which we know will come before the end of next year, and which everyone in Westminster is already gearing up for.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe voice of business needs to be heard loud and clear, and now is the right time for us to speak up.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the CBI\u2019s new director general, Rain Newton-Smith, said she will \u201cfight for the organisation\u201d ahead of the Tuesday vote.<\/p>\n
Members will vote on a new prospectus, which includes appointing a new president and giving members an annual vote on the make-up of its board, following claims of sexual harassment at the CBI made by more than a dozen women, with two separate allegations of rape.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the BBC\u2019s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Newton-Smith said: \u201cIt\u2019s been absolutely devastating to read about some of these instances, and I hope we are emerging from what has been a really deep and painful crisis for us as an organisation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former CBI head Tony Danker was dismissed on April 11 following complaints made against him, including one sexual harassment claim.<\/p>\n
His exit came after the Guardian reported the allegations made against him in articles in March and April.<\/p>\n
Law firm Fox Williams was appointed to carry out an independent investigation and a number of other people were also dismissed by the CBI.<\/p>\n
Mr Danker told the BBC his name had been wrongly associated with separate claims, including the alleged rapes which reportedly happened before he joined the CBI.<\/p>\n
Aviva was the first major business to cut ties with the group, with dozens of the biggest names in British business soon following suit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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