The Confederation of British Industry will step back earlier than planned from its role in a boardroom diversity initiative involving the UK’s biggest companies, as the business lobby group struggles to recover from sexual misconduct allegations. The CBI had been at the heart of the Change the Race Ratio campaign, which champions racial and ethnic minority representation on UK company boards and leadership teams, with some of its staff helping to run it. However, some of the most high-profile of the scheme’s 111 corporate signatories had reportedly discussed cutting ties with the business lobby group recently. Companies involved in the talks include Aviva, Schroders, Sage and two of the “big four” accounting and consultancy firms, EY and Deloitte, according to the FT, which first reported the discussions. The CBI said on Monday that the campaign was always expected to become a totally separate operation. However, the handover is understood to be taking place earlier than expected, amid lingering uncertainty across the British corporate landscape about continued association with the lobby group. “In line with an agreed long-term plan, the campaign will now be established as an independent entity,” a CBI spokesperson said. “We remain clear that increasing ethnic minority representation on UK boards and in leadership is absolutely crucial. “We know that diverse companies perform better on every metric, and leading by example is the only way to effect lasting change. We will continue in our work to empower organisations across the UK to aim higher and go further in creating truly inclusive workplaces.” It comes after the CBI was plunged into crisis by reports in the Guardian about alleged sexual misconduct at the business lobby group, including two claims of rape that led to a police investigation. The CBI director general, Tony Danker, stepped down over a separate series allegations about his own conduct, later saying he had become the “fall guy” for broader accusations about the group. The lobbying group has since launched an overhaul of its culture and governance and plans to change its name, as it aims to woo back a flurry of companies that cancelled their membership in the wake of the scandal. The scandal led to the CBI being frozen out of industry discussions with the government and the opposition, although the group has recently started meeting again with ministers and their shadow counterparts. Sage said it ended its CBI membership in April, and discussions with Change the Race Ratio regarding its future, and Sage’s involvement, were ongoing. The Guardian approached Schroders and Deloitte for comment. EY and Aviva declined to comment.