The embattled business lobby group faces a referendum at an extraordinary general meeting today.

CBI director general Rain Newton-Smith is appealing for members to approve reforms ahead of a finely balanced vote that could decide the future of the scandalised business lobby group, Sky News reports.

Members of the 59-year-old body - traditionally the voice of big business - will be asked to vote in favour of a package of changes to its structure, governance, and culture.

The package of reforms, compiled during a month of consultation, was prompted by media reports of misconduct, including two allegations of rape, and of a toxic culture, a claim a CBI-commissioned analysis found to be unfounded.

The storm saw Ms Newton-Smith's predecessor, Tony Danker, sacked.

It also triggered an ongoing investigation by the City of London Police, led the government and the opposition to suspend engagement with the CBI and prompted an exodus of leading companies who make up its membership.

At an extraordinary general meeting at its headquarters in London, Ms Newton-Smith will ask the remaining members to approve the changes.

Members will be asked to vote on the motion: "Do the changes we have made − and the commitments we have set out − to reform our governance, culture, and purpose give you the confidence you need to support the CBI?"

A simple majority of votes is required for the motion to be carried with the result, overseen by an independent body, expected to be announced after 4pm.

According to Sky News, victory would give Ms Newton Smith a mandate to institute changes to the board and the establishment of a people and culture sub-committee, and begin the task of restoring credibility among sceptical former members and rebuilding relations in Westminster.

Defeat, however, would leave the CBI's future in question.

With income already hit by the fall in membership payments and a redundancy programme announced to staff last week, the directors have already taken advice on winding up procedures if the organisation is no longer viable.

Although there is widespread agreement that business needs a strong representative multi-sector voice, the feeling is that the vote is hard to call.

Other business groups have moved to fill the void in a battle for influence, with the British Chambers of Commerce announcing a new Business Council on the eve of the vote, a move dismissed by the CBI as "opportunist".