Theresa May told business leaders at the CBI conference this week that the UK government will not force companies to directly appoint workers or consumers on to their boards, watering down an earlier pledge.

“While it is important that the voices of workers and consumers should be represented, I can categorically tell you that this is not about mandating works councils, or the direct appointment of workers or trade union representatives on boards,” the UK prime minister said at the conference on Monday.

“Some companies may find that these models work best for them—but there are other routes that use existing board structures, complemented or supplemented by advisory councils or panels, to ensure all those with a stake in the company are properly represented. It will be a question of finding the model that works.”

In July, she used a key speech in her bid to become Conservative leader to say she would make sure that both consumers and workers were represented in company boards. She reiterated this promise in her Tory party conference speech.