The chief of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has denied the organisation has a “toxic” culture as she asked remaining members to back the organisation in a crucial confidence vote next week.

The scandal-hit CBI on Wednesday sent proposals to members designed to stave off insolvency and prevent further instances of sexual misconduct.

Members will vote on a single confidence motion next week where they will be asked if the changes, which include a board shake-up and a new people and culture committee, “give you the confidence you need to support the CBI?”

The proposals have been drawn up in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct, including two allegations of rape.

The CBI sacked its previous director general, Tony Danker, following separate allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Mr Danker has acknowledged he made some staff feel “very uncomfortable” but insisted that some of the allegations made against him had been “distorted”.

Rain Newton-Smith was drafted in to help the organisation recover. 

She said: “Blanket accusations of the CBI’s culture being toxic are not correct, but we have work to do to embed a consistent set of values for all of our staff.”

Ms Newton-Smith insisted the organisation was “well on the road to recovery”, though insiders admitted that the CBI faced serious financial challenges and was unlikely to continue in its current form.

It is understood that around a quarter of the organisation’s direct members – amounting to hundreds of organisations who pay up to £100,000 a year in fees – have cancelled or suspended their affiliation with the CBI since the Guardian first reported misconduct at the organisation.

Ms Newton-Smith and Brian McBride, the CBI’s chairman, have been in talks with around 1,000 business leaders over the past six weeks as part of a revamp of the organisation.

Insiders acknowledge job cuts are likely. It is understood that any rebranding or name change is not being considered at this stage.

Members will vote on the turnaround proposals at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) next Tuesday, with the result published shortly after.

However, it is understood that it will take several weeks to understand if the organisation has enough funding to continue, as its survival depends on a number of big organisations retaining their membership.

Management have already consulted with lawyers to advise on a potential insolvency filing ahead of the crunch vote next week.