Rupert Soames named as next president of CBI as it tries to rebrand

Scandal-hit lobby group seeks corporate governance guidance from former chief executive of Serco

Rupert Soames, the former chief executive of the outsourcing company Serco, has been named as the next president of the Confederation of British Industry, as the scandal-hit lobby group aims to rehabilitate its image following allegations of sexual misconduct.

Soames, the chair of Smith & Nephew, a London-listed medical tech group, will take up the role in the new year before being formally elected by CBI members at its next annual general meeting in June.