increasing that figure. A website and social media channels have been set up to openly promote the contribution business makes whilst enabling people and organisations to give their opinions on this. It is planned that various events and other occurrences will take place across the UK as part of the campaign. Scottish independence referendum controversy In April 2014, the CBI registered with the Electoral Commission as a backer of the campaign against Scottish independence. As a result, 15 Scottish members (Scottish Enterprise, Visit Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, STV, the Law Society of Scotland, Aquamarine Power, Balhousie Care Group and the universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Heriot Watt and Glasgow Caledonian) resigned from the organisation, while two others, Robert Gordon University and Dundee University, suspended their membership. The BBC announced on 24 April that it would also suspend its membership from 30 May until after the referendum on 18 September. On 25 April, the CBI announced it would try to nullify its registration. An Electoral Commission spokesman said: "We have received representations from the CBI to de-register. We are currently considering whether this is possible under the relevant legislation and will make our reasoning public when we have reached a conclusion and informed the CBI of our decision." However, the chairman of Business for Scotland disputed this would be possible: "Our understanding is that the CBI cannot nullify its Electoral Commission registration and must, having been identified as a campaigning organisation, be policed by the Commission during the referendum campaign period, just as we are ourselves will be." Organisation Senior personnel Brian McBride, President Lord Karan Bilimoria, Vice President Tony Danker, Director-General List of former directors-general John Davies (30 July 1965 – 15 October 1969) Sir Campbell Adamson (15 October 1969 – 2 July 1976) Sir John Methven (2 July 1976 – 23 April 1980) (died in office) Sir Terence Beckett (1 October 1980 – 26 March 1987) Sir John Banham (26 March 1987 – 26 June 1992) Sir Howard Davies, (29 June 1992 – 31 December 1995) Adair Turner (1 January 1995 – 31 December 2000) Sir Digby Jones (1 January 2001 – 30 June 2006) Sir Richard Lambert (1 July 2006 – 30 January 2011) John Cridland (31 January 2011 – October 2015) Dame Carolyn Fairbairn (01 November 2015 – 6 December 2020) See also British Chambers of Commerce Federation