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

Rupert Soames, who is the grandson of Winston Churchill, has been described as a ‘fantastic advocate’ for British business. Photograph: Simon Dawson/Reuters

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 after 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.