Category: News & Blogs

Autumn Property Update

13 October 2020

Whilst we are still in the grip of the Coronavirus Pandemic, almost everything else in life is taking a back seat. However, with the Autumn and Winter months now upon us, property owners and occupiers face a number of increased risks that need to be addressed.

Escape of water losses are particularly common, with wintry conditions and freezing temperatures leading to burst pipes, cracked water tanks and blocked drains.

Even minor problems such as boiler breakdowns, which are common occurrences, can result in significant disruption costing valuable time and inconvenience.

By taking the following precautions, you can minimise the risk to your property and increase resilience to wintry weather.

1. Maintenance and general preparations

• Routine building inspections should be carried out year- round to identify potential issues and undertake essential maintenance. Formal risk assessments should inform the frequency of these inspections
• During Autumn, special attention should be given to areas such as roof insulation, pipe lagging, boiler maintenance and the external fabric of the building
• Implement regular maintenance contracts for tasks such as the clearing of gutters and drains. This will limit the risk of blockages that can lead to water penetrating your building
• Keep building plans that identify stopcock locations readily available. This will enable water to be quickly shut off in an emergency
• Check the roof for potential problems such as loose, cracked or missing tiles. You can survey the roof from the ground, to see if anything’s obviously wrong – look out for shards of tile or grit in the gutters and on the floor – but it’s best to get a professional to fully survey
• Keep a careful eye on trees that could fall onto the property in stormy weather

2. Water heating systems

• Always leave boilers and other water heating systems running during winter months, even when a property is temporarily unoccupied
• Maintaining an ambient temperature is essential for avoiding many issues. We recommend maintaining a minimum temperature of 10°C throughout your properties
• Activate your thermostat’s frost setting. This prompts the system to come on automatically during cold weather, which might otherwise not happen if your thermostat is only set to come on at certain times of the day
• Check when you last carried out a full service. Heating systems, and particularly boilers, need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis

3. Pipes and water tanks

• Inspect the whole system for potential defects or vulnerabilities. Pay particular attention to areas exposed to cold conditions, such as pipes or tanks situated outside the property or in roof spaces
• Ensure exposed pipes and water tanks are adequately lagged. This provides essential protection against freezing conditions
• Insulate or fully drain outdoor taps between uses

4. Sprinkler systems

• Ensure that heating is present in the sprinkler valve room and it is kept at an ambient temperature
• During winter months switch the alternate systems to air (recommended November to May)
• Check when the sprinkler system was last serviced. Ensure sprinklers receive full and regular maintenance

5. Permanently unoccupied properties

• You must ensure we are notified if your property is permanently unoccupied, or unoccupied for longer than the maximum period detailed in your policy
• If permanently unoccupied, we recommend disconnecting the property’s water supplies and draining all pipes, tanks and heating system
• However, if only temporarily unoccupied, heating systems should always be left on, to maintain an ambient temperature and avoid freezing or cracking
• Ensure doors and windows are closed and fit tightly

Should you have any queries or require any specific advice in relation to your property, please get in touch with your usual Wilsons contact or call the office and one of the team will be happy to help you.

 

Lockdown Home Insurance Claims

29 September 2020

From flying toys to anti-bac sprays, new data released today by insurer Zurich shows flat screen TVs have been paying the price of lockdown. The insurer has reported a 22% rise in claims for flat screen TVs since lockdown began, with the average cost of damage at £580.

Incidents included a customer whose son accidentally threw his toy hammer at his sister – and while she had a near miss, the TV didn’t, causing £400 worth of damage. Another policyholder suffered £500 of damage when their child tried to help out around the house and decided to deep clean the TV with antibacterial spray, causing discolouration and water damage.

But it is not just the family TV that’s come under attack during lockdown. The Insurer has also seen claims for accidental damage to glass rocket by 57%, with an average replacement cost of £680. One policyholder racked up £1000 worth of damage when her son accidentally threw a stone in the direction of the patio door.

Zurich has also covered a number of claims since lockdown for home electronics including a milk-covered games console and a laptop damaged by a child using it as a trampoline. Another family experienced a different type of blues when a child knocked over a tin of blue paint in the hallway, causing 10m² of damage and costing £445 to replace.

Phil Ost, Head of Personal Lines at Zurich, said: “With schools closed for the majority of children and families spending more time at home, accidents are to be expected. While most people try to look after their belongings and remind their children how to play safely, we all know mishaps can happen. This is why having good home contents insurance and accidental damage cover is so important. Our team is there to help fix or replace the items that matter to us the most.”

In addition, as retailers report a big rise in sales of expensive bikes, home electronics and exercise equipment, we are reminding homeowners to inform us about any new high value items they purchase, above the limits set out in their policy documentation. As our homeowners acquire more Contents they should also regularly review their total sums insured to ensure they have adequate cover and are not underinsured.

Just a quick call to our Private Client Team will ensure the things that matter to you most are covered.

 

Cyber & Remote Working

6 September 2020

Before the pandemic, the words ‘Zoom Bombing’ would make most of think of sunny poolside days with kids smiling with glee as they soak one another with maximum force. In 2020 this phrase refers to just one of the ways that cybercriminals are capitalising on our need to work remotely. As many organisations offer home working as a way mitigating the COVID risk to both their staff and the business as a whole, many are finding themselves vulnerable to cyber attacks.

IT professionals have seen a rise of over 20% on attacks on remote workers, and all find that the threats are significantly harder to trace over home networks.

While we get to grips with what the pandemic means for our businesses we are already vulnerable, so the additional risk of phishing or malware or any cyber-attack needs to be managed, cybersecurity needs to be at the top of our risk agendas.

Cyber risk mitigation is about people. The most significant risk to your organisation is your remote working team; home workers tend to be less vigilant about security so your team must be encouraged to stay alert. Simple steps such as using encryption and multi-factor authentication can go a long way to protecting workers.

When remote working, avoiding public WI-Fi is sound advice as well as encouraging your teams to use password managers. Organisations should use a virtual private network to add a security gateway.

9 out of 10 staff believe that security is their employer’s responsibility, so training staff on the risks they may face and how to manage their online security is essential.

With home working comes the joys of sharing devices and the network with your family. The cybercriminals are very aware of this, and we have seen attacks which have specifically targeted the children of remote workers, while uncommon, it is a risk. That brings us back to our zoom bombing kids. It doesn’t take long for children to create havoc on any devices; this can be reputational, financial or result in a security breach. Therefore all apps should be password protected.

The remote working revolution is here, and every day thousands of us are working from home without any security breaches. Still, for this to work well into the future, we must be aware of the potential risks and how to mitigate them. Every organisation needs to talk about their risk and to create a strategy to deal with any security breach or attack.

Cyber insurance is more crucial than ever as attacks and data breaches increase in both frequency and sophistication. Having the right cover in place will support and protect your business if it is the subject of an attack by a malicious hacker or experiences a data breach. It not only provides comprehensive cover but will provide you with a trusted partner to support your business, and your remote workers, in the event of a cyber attack.

A range of insurance products have been developed to meet the increasing demand for cover, so not only is there a product available to suit your specific business needs, but it’s also far more cost effective than ever before. 

Working with us to put the right cover in place and mitigate your risk will help you to build peace of mind and resilience in your business. Just get in touch with your usual account executive or contact Charlotte Perkins on 0115 942 0111 or [email protected] 

 

Wellbeing & Home Working

3 September 2020

When the lockdown was announced in Mid March, many businesses managed the impossible; they got a large percentage of there workforce working from home successfully in a matter of weeks.

We ran a WhatsApp group for all our remote workers, in the early days there was a constant beep of a new message coming through that IT support was needed or how could they access a piece of information, but as time went on we all did what humans do best – we adapted. It wasn’t long before the Whatsapp group turned to a steady stream of more relaxed banter, much more akin to what you would expect in our office.

As lockdown eased, we ask our team about how they felt about returning to the office; many were desperate to return as they had found working from home isolating and technologically tricky. It seems working from home is an introvert’s dream, but for those extroverts out there it is somewhat more tricky.

Some of the challenges our staff relayed to us were around struggling to switch off at the end of the day, or not having a proper desk, or the office laptop being less user friendly than the large screen on their desk PC. Most people are not fortunate enough to have home offices so working at the kitchen table has become the norm; this can blur the lines between work life and home life and leave many people struggling to cope.

A recent survey stated that 83.5% enjoy working from home, 60% of people would work from home given the option, and 52.6% do not want to return to the office after Covid-19 so how do we engage our staff and make sure that we are looking after their wellbeing? The key has to be communication.

The physical distance from the office must be compensated for by increased engagement through interaction. Communication should be more frequent and faster than ever before. To look after the wellbeing of staff, we need to be listening and support our team through this transition. We need to work hard to maintain our cultures, we must have a group downtime and schedule catch up calls and things such as virtual meet-ups, or online coffee time can help to improve connectedness and wellbeing.

Homeworkers are lone workers and therefore should be treated that way when it comes to mental health and wellbeing. Employers have a duty of care to make the workplace safe and to manage risk. HR and managers must therefore be aware of stress levels and signs of mental health issues amongst their remote workers.

It is thought that homeworking will reduce the number of short absences which is a benefit to all but long term sickness may increase due to musculoskeletal or mental health issues which are on the rise due to homeworking.

It is a good idea to implement a Permanent Health Insurance (PHI) scheme which can protect the company from the cost of long term sickness whilst allowing the employee to continue to receive at least part of their salary until they are well enough to return to work.

Many PHI schemes also include an employee assistance programme, this can help to deal with wellness and mental health issue by providing a confidential 24hr helpline for all staff – and their family members too, as we must remember this is a change for the family and not just the employee.

For many people home working has positively changed lives but we must be listening and engaged with all of our workforce, remote or otherwise to help them to be productive, well, healthy and connected.

For information and advice on PHI, Employee Assistance Programmes and Flexible Benefit Schemes, contact your usual Wilsons Financial Adviser or contact the office on 0115 942 0111.

 

Covid19 – Insurance Update

17 August 2020

At the start of the lockdown, commercial insurers took a very flexible position on business premises being temporarily closed due to Covid19. The vast majority of insurers did not apply the restrictions in their policies for unoccupied properties. With a UK-wide lockdown no longer in place any buildings that remain closed will now be treated in line with the insurer’s normal approach to unoccupied buildings in line with your policy.

Extended Closure

We are aware that some businesses have chosen not to reopen their premises for a variety of reasons. If your property remains unoccupied it is essential that you inform us so that we can notify your insurer. We will then ensure you are aware of your insurer’s position and the precautions required.

There will be a number of circumstances where concessions will be considered, but unlike during the UK-wide lockdown period these must be individually agreed with the insurer, based on the information you provide.

Local Area Lockdowns

In cases of local lockdown, where businesses must close as a consequence of the requirement to control a localised spike in coronavirus infections, you will need to inform us so that we can advise you of your insurer’s position, based on the information you provide.

Reduced Trading or Changes to Trading Activity

Some businesses have changed their activities post Covid19. If your business is operating on a reduced number of working days or other significant changes to your previous trading activities have occurred, we should discuss the changes related to your insurance policies and inform insurers as appropriate, please contact us if this applies.

Commercial Tenants

If you have commercial tenants to which the above relates, please contact us with details.

We’re here to help…

If any of the above applies to you please contact us, where buildings are unoccupied we will need the following:

• If the premises will be opened periodically for goods collection/delivery or other work
• Any problems with the usual physical security measures and alarm systems
• Any problems with removal of trade waste from inside or outside of the premises

We are providing support to clients as usual, although currently we are not always able to do this face to face and some insurer timescales are slightly longer. Please do not hesitate to contact us, as always we are here to help.

On behalf of all at Wilsons take care and stay safe.

 

The Professional Indemnity Market

29 June 2020

The professional indemnity (PI) insurance market, particularly in relation to high risk trades such as construction and related sectors has constricted, with many businesses in the sector facing increased premiums and reduced cover for their forthcoming period of insurance. Some firms are even struggling to obtain insurance terms and in extreme cases, not being able to obtain cover at all.

The UK PI market has been in “soft” market conditions for over a decade, but it is currently the case that the cheaper rates have been withdrawn, and excess layer premiums have risen. Indeed, some insurers have withdrawn from the market altogether.

This hardening of the market has been fuelled by a number of factors, including claims as a result of the Grenfell tragedy, and poor underwriting results in 2017. Lloyds has instructed syndicates to limit the amount of new PI that they write, due to the poor performance of this class of insurance compared to other areas.

Nevertheless, it remains the case that there is room for manoeuvre, and our clients are not powerless to mitigate these wider insurance market conditions. We employ a coherent and prudent renewal strategy with our clients which greatly alleviates the effects of risk averse underwriting.

These are some of the key steps we undertake with our clients.

Approach the market early

We do not leave renewal until the last minute. If initial approaches to the market have produced no results or lacklustre results, together with our client we will not have any time for further steps.

Presenting the right information is key – differentiating our clients

The renewal presentation needs time and consideration in a hard market. It is also the case that many insurers are now asking for additional information which takes time to identify, and the markets will not quote best terms in its absence.

When there are acute claims concerns, an insurer does not want the whole sector. They want the firms in the upper quartiles, and those that offer fewer concerns.

Whilst proposal forms ask key underwriting questions, they do not capture the essential character of a firm. We therefore supplement the core form with information regarding the market strategy and operating philosophies of our client. This includes the key client base and key areas of work, how the firm reached their position within the marketplace and where they are heading to next. It is also imperative to share how they manage their risk in respect of capping liability and the strength of the T & Cs they have in place with their client base. We encourage our clients to meet with underwriters to help us to share their vision and journey.

Use the open market

As always, different insurers have different appetites, and are at different places in relation to their financial and performance milestones. Whilst some insurers have left the PI market, other insurers see this as an opportunity to increase their market share.

However, they will be underwriting judiciously, and are interested in the firms who can show that they are not operating within the key areas affected, or can demonstrate better risk management controls, such that they have better mitigated the risks concerned.

Approach the market, don’t over-saturate the market

We avoid a scattergun approach as this creates confusion and dilutes the message we are trying to convey. It is not just about approaching a particular insurer, but also about approaching the right underwriters within a particular insurer to obtain terms. Market knowledge and relationships are key in relation to specialist insurance such PI.

Conclusions

We are a specialist broker and we understand this market. However, a non-specialist broker may not be approaching the right markets and worse, they may be approaching the limited markets available in an unsophisticated way, with the result that these markets decline to quote. Closing key markets can be fatal in a limited market.

For most firms, PI insurance is the third largest cost, after wage roll and office costs. Expensive insurance, like any cost, reduces the capital available for reinvestment in the firm, whether that is additional staff, more up to date technology, or marketing.

Over time, firms with unnecessary expenses lose ground to their savvier competitors and lose market opportunities as a result.

We approach our client renewals in line with the above steps to give you a good opportunity to reduce the PI cost and pull ahead of your competition.

A little about us

The Wilson Organisation is a UK top 100 Insurance Broker and Financial Adviser. We are a long-established family owned and run business with a strong commitment to both our people and our clients. We work with business-owners, company directors and the management teams to provide financial, insurance and risk management advice that consistently adds value.

How we work with you

Whether you are a construction company concerned with protecting your people and plant or an architect or surveyor getting to grips with PI issues, Wilsons’ advisers will provide practical, commercial and independent advice to help you improve your systems and manage your costs through effective business insurance programme management.

Partnerships, relationships, however you describe them, are very important to us and we’re proud that we’ve worked with some of our clients since the early 1960s. Our business insurance clients tell us they stick with Wilsons because they are confident that we are on their side and will fight their corner. They also like the assurance they get from having one point of contact for all their business insurance and risk-related matters.

From our perspective, working with clients on a long-term basis means we can continually add that little bit of extra value as we get to know their businesses inside and out. Our approach is hands-on, supportive and practical. We combine detailed, desk-based research with site visits and surveys to provide a thorough and informative service.

Contact

Charlotte Perkins – Group Managing Director
[email protected]   0115 9420 111  

 

Driving after lockdown

12 June 2020

Following the COVID-19 lockdown across the UK, road travel decreased significantly. Now the restrictions are lifting, people are returning to the roads. However, with cars having sat unused, in some cases for more than ten weeks, what do you need to do to ensure you can start driving again safely?

Here we share ten tips to help you get back on the road safely.

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1) Make sure you are ready and fit to drive

This has been a real time of stress and uncertainty for many people which can have a big impact on health. Whether it’s sleep deprivation, stress or anxiety all of these can take a toll. Before you starting driving again it’s worth taking the time to check you’re feeling well enough to do so and also consider a couple of shorter drives before long-distance journeys. Barnard Castle, anyone?

2) Arrange an MOT (if needed)

In a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19 the government arranged for MOTs to be extended by six months if they expired on or before 30 March 2020. The full details of what car owners need to do can be found here. It is important to keep the vehicle roadworthy regardless of this extension and your clients may want to look into arranging an MOT when restrictions lift and allow them to do so.

3) Check your car insurance

If you contacted us to cancell or suspended your car insurance for the lockdown period, you will need to get in touch to make sure that this is set up again before driving anywhere to ensure you’re covered. It is also worth considering whether or not breakdown cover is currently included as having not been used for a while, the chances of a vehicle breaking down may have increased.

4) Make sure there is enough fuel in the vehicle

Before setting off on a journey make sure you have enough fuel to get you there. Often after having not driven for a long time or having only done lots of small journeys it’s easy to have lost track of how much fuel was left. Don’t wait until you see the fuel warning light.

5) Check the tyres

Tyres are more likely to have lost pressure slightly if a car has been unused for a long period of time. Before setting out or as soon as you are able to get to a petrol station, check the tyre pressure and inflate if necessary. It’s also important to check the tyres for any obvious signs of wear or damage and ensure they meet road legal requirements – especially is you have postponed your MOT.

6) Check the lights

The lights both front and back should be checked before setting out on a journey – even if it is in daylight. Ensure that front, back, indicator and brake lights are all working effectively.

7) Check oil and water levels

Many new cars will let you know if your oil or water levels are running low, however this is a good opportunity for drivers to check that levels are safe before setting out. The vehicle manual will provide instructions on how to safely do this for the specific model.

8) Take a hand sanitiser with you on your journey or keep one in the car

It’s important to still remain cautious as restrictions begin to be lifted. A good habit to get into is having a hand sanitiser in the car and/or taking one every time you leave the house. Youccan then clean you hands when getting in and out of the car to prevent spreading the virus onto the inside of their car. It’s important as well to remember this when refuelling; wear gloves if possible, maintain a safe distance and wash or sanitise hands as soon as possible. Sanitiser wipes are also a good idea to wipe down your keys, handles and steering wheel.

9) Be prepared for busier roads

As the country starts to move again we can expect to see many people continuing to avoid public transport, which may lead to busier roads and more bikes or pedestrians. Allow extra time for journeys to avoid any rushing and avoid distractions while driving. Also be more cautios as many other drivers haven’t been on the roads for weeks either!

10) Keep in contact

Before your set out on a journey make sure you have your mobile phone and that it is fully charged. If you run into any difficulties with your car or break down, you need to be able to get in touch to ask for help. It’s also important at the moment to take the time before a journey to check that the destination is open and has somewhere to park to save any wasted or unnecessary journeys. Remember – in the case of an accident you can also use the camera on your phone to document the incident.

Finally…

It is also important to continue listen to Government advice and follow the guidance provided.

 

 

Covid19 – Returning to Work

9 June 2020

As the government implements its plan to ease lockdown restrictions and rebuild the economy, businesses will be making their own individual plans for returning to work following the Covid19 pandemic. Employers must fulfil their legal obligations to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of both employees and the public. A review of their working activities and procedures will be required to determine any changes that need to be implemented to create a safe working environment before resuming work or returning employees to the workplace.

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Government Guidelines

Government guidance to businesses is changing rapidly as the threat level is updated, we urge all our clients to keep themselves well informed conduct regular reviews to ensure they remain compliant. For current information please go to the government’s Business Support page or visit GOV.UK.

New ‘COVID-19 secure’ guidelines are available to UK employers to help them get their businesses back up and running and workplaces operating safely. There are eight guides covering a range of different types of work, but your business may operate more than one type of workplace (such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles) and you should consult the appropriate guides to consider what you need to do to keep people safe. Further guidance is expected from the government as more businesses can reopen.

Employers who have visitors to their offices or onsite are advised to ensure that employees are able to follow the government’s guidelines on working safely, in addition to complying with all the normal statutory legislation to ensure a safe working environment for your employees.

The government guidance should be considered within the normal statutory legislation as follows:

• Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
• Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Workplace (Health & Safety Welfare) Regulations 1992

Covid19 Risk Assessment

A risk assessment approach is recommended, enabling employers to record the decisions they have taken to fulfil their legal duties to protect the physical and mental health, safety and welfare of employees and the public.

We are already seeing requests for clients to provide in advance Covid19 risk assessments and PPE details before attending construction sites. If your business involves work on site or at a customer’s premises you should be prepared for these requests.

As with all risk assessments being tailored to your business activities and good record keeping will be key, both for providing information on request to customers and in the protection of the business in the event of a problem down the line. The actions required and PPE appropriate may vary dependent on the working environment and tasks undertaken. As government advice on Covid19 is changing rapidly, risk assessments must be regularly reviewed to ensure they remain current and effective.

When reviewing your working environment, you will need to establish if it is possible for employees to work in accordance with social distancing and the appropriate provision of PPE. Covid 19 protocols should be communicated in writing to all employees and we recommend that all employees sign agreeing to comply with the procedures and use of PPE.

Employers with less than five employees do not have all of the same regulations under health and safety legislation in relation to health and safety policy. However, it is recommended that all businesses consider the above actions to safeguard their employees and the public.

Employer Liability

Whilst it is not clear if there will be claims arising from Covid19 under employers’ liability policies, as an employer your statutory obligations to provide a safe working environment, safe working practices and safe machinery/equipment/tools also apply to the Covid19 virus.

As stated above appropriate risk assessments and record keeping are key documents in the event of a claim, demonstrating the risks considered and measures implemented.

Employee engagement by a signed agreement to the employer’s Covid19 protocols will we believe be an important measure, as well as allowing employees to raise any concerns with the employer.

Unoccupied Properties

Insurers recognised that government restrictions dictated some businesses were temporarily closed and policyholders would not be able to meet the unoccupancy conditions of their policies. Changes were introduced by insurers to relax policy conditions to take into account this unprecedented situation.

Whilst we are seeing restrictions on certain businesses being eased by the government, many businesses such as those in the restaurant and leisure sectors, are not yet able to open and their premises remain unoccupied.

It is essential that you inform us if your business premises are unoccupied, or you have commercial tenants that have vacated and have not yet returned to the premises. We can then ensure you are aware of your Insurer’s position and the precautions necessary during the ongoing unoccupancy.

Please get in touch with your usual Wilsons contact or email [email protected]

Useful Links

Government advice –  www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Government ‘Working Safely’ advice – www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

HSE – www.hse.gov.uk

Scotland – www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

Wales – gov.wales/coronavirus

Northern Ireland – www.nidirect.gov.uk

Help & Support

This is obviously a very abbreviated guidance note and it is essential that you read the government guidance and consider the appropriate steps for your business, then keep updated with the latest guidance. Separate guidance is available for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and links are provided above.

We want to assure you that Wilsons are providing support to clients as usual, albeit currently we are not able to do this face to face and some insurer timescales are slightly longer. We have maintained a core team at Wilson House throughout with our homeworking team on a phased return to the office.

Please contact your account executive directly or call the office on 0115 942 0111 with any queries – we are always here to help.

On behalf of all at Wilsons we wish you well as economic activity builds again, take care and stay safe.

 

Coronavirus Statement

10 March 2020

As the fight against with Coronavirus COVID-19 in the UK continues, I wanted to assure you that we’re here as always to support you. We have actioned our plans to mitigate any potential disruption to the service we provide to our clients; assurances have also been received from our providers and insurers.

At present there is no impact on our core business operations and, as you would expect, we have a robust business continuity plan in place for critical business operations and client service.

The vast majority of our team are now working from home with full access to our systems and in frequent contact with the core team that remain at Wilson House. Please do call the office with any queries, we’re here as always to help.

The health and wellbeing of our team continues to be a top priority; we are following all safety advice and precautions as recommended by Public Health England and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. As our team cannot visit clients, we have conference call and video conferencing facilities in place to keep in touch with our clients and keep everyone safe.

This is clearly an unprecedented situation for us all and we will aim to keep you informed of any significant changes affecting our ongoing business operations.

We continue to do everything we can to support our team and our clients at this uniquely difficult time.

Kind regards

Charlotte Perkins, Group Managing Director

 

Business Masters Shortlist Announced!

20 January 2020

The judges for TheBusinessDesk.com’s East Midlands Business Masters Awards 2020, including our very own Charlotte Perkins, have met to review the nominations received.

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We can now reveal which companies will go forward to a glittering evening of prize-giving on Thursday 12 March at the Crowne Plaza in Nottingham.(L-R) Charlotte Perkins, Helen Wathalll MBE, Greg Simpson and Sam Metcalf, Midlands editor of TheBusinessDesk.com

The panel, consisting of Sam Metcalf, Midlands editor of TheBusinessDesk.com, Helen Wathall from Wathall’s, Charlotte Perkins of Wilson Organisation and Greg Simpson of Press for Attention PR, met for a morning session of judging at the offices of Cartwright Communications in the professional services quarter of Nottingham.

Tickets are now available for the East Midlands Business Masters, one of the must-attend networking events in the region’s calendar, drawing a crowd of almost 300 business owners and professionals last year.

Wilsons are delighted to be working with TheBusinessDesk.com for a second year, as sponsors of the Family Business category of their 2020 Business Masters Awards.

We are looking forward to the black tie Awards Ceremony & Dinner, we hope to see you there!

Check out the 2020 shortlist below:

Family Business – Sponsored by Wilsons

Wathall’s
BSP Holdings
UK Meds
Ward
Morley Hayes

Contributing to the Community
Wathall’s
Invictus Communications
Forever Stars
Else Solicitors
Pattonair

Fast Growth
UK Meds
Hockley Developments
Geo Green Power
Forsyth Barnes
Invictus Communications

Innovation
Inclusive Boards
Obsidian Tax
OTB Legal
Sleaford Quality Foods

Investment
Frontline Recruitment
Ward
Opus Trust Communications

Large Business 
Sleaford Quality Foods
Ward

Medium-sized business
BSP
Hallam
Morley Hayes
Opus Trust Communications

Newcomer
Box Property
OTB Legal
Dice Consulting
Work by Design

Professional Services
Else Solicitors
Obsidian Tax
OTB Legal
Kedleston Safety

Property company
NG Chartered Surveyors
PMW Property
BSP Holdings
Blueprint Interiors
Hockley Developments

Small Business
HSG
Butler & Willow
Distinct Recruitment
Geo Green Power
UK Meds
Clumber Consultancy

Ambassador of the Year to be announced on the night.

 

East Midlands Business Masters Awards

13 December 2019

For the second year, we will be supporting the Business Masters East Midlands and are sponsors of the Family Business category. TheBusinessDesk.com’s annual Business Masters dinner is one of the key events in the region’s business calendar, celebrating the achievements of the most innovative, ambitious and successful businesses in the region.

The awards evening itself will take place on Thursday, 12 March 2020, from 6.30pm – 12am at the Crowne Plaza, Nottingham, NG1 5RH.

Commenting on our sponsorship of the Award, Charlotte Perkins, group managing director, said: “Wilsons is a family business established in Nottingham for over 100 years and we are the founders of the Midlands Family Business Awards.

“Partnering with The Business Desk for a second year is very exciting and I am looking forward to joining the judging panel for the 2020 Business Masters. Family businesses are the backbone of the Midlands and it’s great to be working with a team that shares our ultimate goal – to showcase the range, diversity and talents of the Midlands family business sector, and its contribution to the region’s economy and vibrancy.”

There are 13 award categories covering the full range of business activity in the East Midlands, and one award – Ambassador – for the individual who has made an outstanding contribution either in leading their business or in representing the region or their sector on a bigger stage.

The 2020 Business Masters award categories are:

• Newcomer
• Innovation
• International Trade
• Investment
• Contributing to the Community
• Professional Services
• Property Business
• Family Business – sponsored by Wilsons!
• Small Business (up to 50 employees)
• Medium Business (51 to 250 employees)
• Large Business (251+ employees)
• Fast Growth Business
• Ambassador

Entries for the Awards have been extended to Friday 20 December Make your nomination today.

 

Winter update for businesses

18 November 2019

Although we are only just starting to see the really cold weather and storms start to bite across some parts of the UK, it is important that businesses understand the problems winter can bring.

There are some common issues that can affect every business and these are covered in our Winter Update for businesses.

You may also find our Winter Driving Tips helpful for all your staff, it also includes a reminder of what drivers should do in the event of an accident, so a worthwhile read whatever the weather.

For those situated in an area at risk of flooding we’ve also prepared a flood guide to help prepare and reduce the risk of excessive damage.

For further advice and assistance with any aspect of your business insurance, contact your usual Client Manager.

 

Winter update for home owners

18 November 2019

Cold weather, snow and storms during the winter months is likely to bring the usual problems for you and your home.

Take a look at our practical advice for some of the most common issues in our Winter Update. You may also find our Winter Driving Tips helpful when you venture out of your home this winter.

For further advice and assistance with any aspect of your home insurance, contact our Private Client Team.

 

Flooding – be prepared!

4 November 2019

Flooding is impossible to prevent and difficult to predict, but to try and help we’ve created a flood guide to help prepare for a flood and reduce the risk of excessive damage.

Floodwater may be contaminated, especially by untreated sewage. Contamination remains after the floodwater has gone and can be hazardous unless simple procedures are followed:

• Wear rubber boots and gloves in and around the affected property
• Wash all cuts and cover with waterproof plasters. Anyone receiving a puncture wound during flood recovery should have a doctor determine whether a tetanus booster is necessary
• Small children, pregnant women and people with health problems should avoid floodwater and flooded areas until the clean-up is complete
• However, if you do feel unwell or if you accidentally ingest (swallow) mud or contaminated water and you become ill, you should consult your doctor and telling them that your house was flooded

Floodwater can damage buildings severely, particularly if it has been flowing quickly, is over 1 m deep or has been in a property for a long time.

• Before entering property that has been flooded, the building should be checked for signs of damage
• Be careful when moving any debris that may have been carried onto your property or the surrounding area. Avoid heavy objects (e.g. trees) that may be unstable and could suddenly move and trap or crush you. Do not attempt to move anything yourself that cannot be lifted comfortably
• Be careful when moving in and around property that has been flooded. Standing water and mud can hide holes, damage to structures and sharp objects. This could include uncovered manholes and drains or roads and paths, as well as broken bottles or glass. Be aware of cuts from standing or falling onto hidden hazards and slippery sediment

 

Conference Line-up Announced!

19 June 2019

An exciting and varied line-up of guest speakers are set to take centre stage at the inaugural Lincolnshire Family Business Conference on Thursday 4th July.

Held at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, the conference has been organised by The Family Business Network, in partnership with Streets Chartered Accountants, sponsors of the People’s Choice category in the Midlands Family Business Awards, alongside Langleys Solicitors.

Forming the guest speaker line-up are family business owners and next generation successors, who have agreed to share their unique stories and experiences of running a family firm and lessons learnt along the way.

Alongside Cal Bailey, former Director at NG Bailey and Phoebe Bagnall, the sixth generation to join Bagnalls Painting and Decorating contractors is Guy Schanschieff of Northampton-based Bambino Mio, the largest reusable nappy company in the world. Speaking about his involvement in the upcoming conference, Guy Schanschieff said, “The conference will be a great event for companies looking to network with and learn from established family businesses of different shapes and sizes. With our recent successes, I hope that the insights I share will contribute to these learnings and inspire other family businesses.”

Another member of the speaker line-up is Lincolnshire-based Melanie Tillett of Tillett’s Clothing, a business established by Melanie in 2006 to provide quality ladies clothing at affordable prices.  Melanie has two daughters, Grace and Nancy who work within the business and who together have ambitious plans for the future of Tillett’s.

Speaking about the conference, Melanie said “I am so excited to be involved in the first Family Business Conference to take place in Lincolnshire. As the Managing Director of a family owned business myself, I know how vital these events are to encourage development and share knowledge with one another. Running a business, you will encounter many challenges along the way and attending a conference like this alongside people who are facing those same challenges can be truly inspiring and rewarding.”

The latest additions to the speaker line-up include family business owners, Jon Perkins and Jason Freezer.  Jason is the co-founder of Bright Side Vets, a forward-thinking veterinary practise based in Swadlincote which he set up with his wife Kelly, a qualified Vet.

Jon Perkins is the Managing Director of hospitality businesses Perkins Family and Baresca Tapas Limited.  Responsible for finance, creative design and project managing their new site openings, Jon has a hands-on approach to the business. Working alongside his brother, David Perkins and Sarah Newham, they have opened three venues in Nottingham and West Bridgford since taking over the reins of their parents’ business, Perkins Bar Bistro in 2002.

Sue Howorth, founder of The Family Business Network explains, “We have found from running these conferences in the past, that one of the most beneficial aspects are the ideas and lessons that family businesses take away with them.  Peer to peer learning is at the heart of what we do at the Network and this includes creating a safe environment for businesses to share experiences”.

The conference agenda will include live interviews with family businesses, topical discussions, networking with like-minded family businesses and of course the guest speaker talks.

James Pinchbeck of event partner, Streets Chartered Accountants will host one of the panel sessions alongside guests Christopher Oughtred – former fifth-generation chairman at the UK’s William Jackson Food Group, Professor Ted Fuller the UNESCO Chair on Responsible Foresight for Sustainable Development at Lincoln International Business School,  Peter Denby of Denby Transport, Sam Kirk of J-Flex and David Williams of 3W Growth. The session will explore the role of non-family members holding senior positions in family businesses.

The Conference will run from 9:30am – 4pm on Thursday 4th July 2019 at the International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick Avenue, Lincoln LN4, 2HQ and tickets can be booked online costing just £45 each including lunch.

The conference is being run in partnership with Streets Accountants and Langleys Solicitors and is supported by The Wilson Organisation, Western Pensions Solutions (part of the family owned Vestey Group), Wrapped Agency, Family Business United and Camilla Carlbom of Immingham based Carlbom Shipping Ltd.

 

Wilsons supporting the Family Business Network conference

22 May 2019

The inaugural Lincolnshire Family Business Conference is to take place on Thursday 4th July at The International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln.

We are delighted to be supporting this new conference for family businesses in Lincolnshire. Following in the wake of the established and highly successful Cumbria Family Business Conference also run by The Family Business Network, founder Sue Howorth is launching the conference in Lincolnshire for the first time, in partnership with Langleys Solicitors & Streets Accountants – sponsor of our People’s Choice Award.

With an inspirational line-up of speakers, interactive topical discussions and live interviews, the conference is designed to highlight the strengths of family businesses, look at challenges facing this important sector and to offer valuable family business insights through peer to peer learning. The conference is aimed at family business owners and leaders and those associated with the sector, that supports 12 million jobs in the UK.

Sue Howorth explained: “I’m incredibly excited about bringing the conference to Lincolnshire for the first time. I’ve been thrilled with the level of support and interest that we’ve received from both family businesses and supporting partners, which will in turn help us to continue to build the profile of The Family Business Network in the county and surrounding areas.

“The family business sector is such a vital part of the UK economy and whilst the economic and political climate present challenges ahead, the role of our Network and events like the Family Business Conference is to offer a unique environment for family businesses to hear other family business stories that we hope will inspire current and future generations, as well as the opportunity for peer to peer learning through our interactive discussions and interviews on the day.”

James Pinchbeck of Streets Accountants added, “The vibrant, diverse and highly experienced line up has been chosen for the first Lincolnshire conference to help generate fresh thinking and includes Guy Schanschieff MBE, founder and Managing Director of Bambino Mio, one of the worlds most widely used reusable nappy brands, Cal Bailey of NG Bailey, the UK’s leading independent engineering and services business, Phoebe Bagnall, a next generation successor of 140 year old family business Bagnalls, and Melanie Tillet, Director of Tillets, the independent family owned ladies clothing business.

Guest speaker, Cal Bailey was the group sustainability director of engineering firm NG Bailey until choosing to take early retirement to concentrate on academic and philanthropic interests. He said, “My great desire is to see business re-infected with purpose. As a custodian of a multi-generational family business, I’m very much looking forward to being a part of The Family Business Conference and offering my perspective as part of an interactive discussion.”

Guest presenters will also join the line up of speakers on the day, including local business women Emma Brealey of the family owned Petwood Hotel – Highly Commended in our Director of the Year category in 2018, who will be putting another family business in the spotlight in a frank and honest interview.

The conference is being run in partnership with Streets Accountants and Langleys Solicitors and is supported by The Wilson Organisation (founders of the Midlands Family Business Awards) Western Pensions Solutions (part of the family owned Vestey Group), Wrapped Agency and Camilla Carlbom of Immingham based Carlbom Shipping Ltd.

Tickets for the Lincolnshire Family Business Conference on Thursday 4th July 2019 9:30am – 4pm taking place at the International Bomber Command Centre, Canwick Avenue, Lincoln LN4, 2HQ can now be booked online

 

It’s a family affair!

6 May 2019

Entries are now open for the 2019 Midlands Family Business Awards, with three new categories added to mark the 10th anniversary.

Organised and backed by The Wilson Organisation, the awards celebrate and recognise the success, achievements and innovations of family-run businesses and raise funds for local charities at the awards dinner.

This is the only independent and not-for-profit awards of its kind and with ten free-to-enter categories including Family Business of the Year, Fastest Growing Family Businesses, Employer of the Year, Best Small Family Business, Manufacturing Excellence, Corporate Social Responsibility and Service Excellence, there is an accolade suitable for every business.

Exciting new categories this year include – Next Generation Family Business Leader, Construction & Property Excellence and an extra special category called Rising Stars. Rising Stars celebrates newly established family businesses that have a bright future, recognising achievements to date and providing a professional support package for 2020 to assist growth.

Taking place on 7th November at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, the black-tie awards dinner attracts over 300 guests including awards finalists, independent judges and sponsors.

The judges are an independent panel, led by a family business leader, industry expert and the category sponsor, and all finalists are entered into the People’s Choice Award, voted by the public.

Our Group Managing Director oat Wilsons, Charlotte Perkins, said: “Having launched the awards back in 2010, our aim has always been to shine a light on the region’s talented and successful family businesses and to play our part in creating a community of likeminded and supportive individuals.

“The awards have grown year on year and I think that is testament to the volume and calibre of brilliant firms in our region, and the fact that family businesses embrace celebrating their own success and that of others.

“We are proud to be in our tenth year and we look forward to receiving entries and meeting other regional family businesses in November. We also have a few fun surprises for our finalists and guests to get involved with on the evening. I wish all the businesses who enter the best of luck!”

Category sponsors for 2019 include OrderWise (headline sponsor), Buckles Solicitors, PwC, Shakespeare Martineau, Streets Chartered Accountants and Ward Recycling.

David Hallam who is Managing Director at OrderWise, winners of the 2017 Midlands Family Business of the Year Award said: “Receiving recognition at the Midlands Family Business Awards, as well as sponsoring it last year and for the 10th Anniversary this year, has raised our profile regionally. As veterans of many award submissions, we can also say it is one of the more straightforward to enter thanks to their simple-to-use online entry form.”

If you’re a growing family business with a recent success story to tell, these awards provide a great platform for this to be recognised and I’d certainly recommend entry in 2019.”

Donald Ward, Commercial Manager at Ward said: “We are proud to be a sponsor of the Midlands Family Business Awards as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. We were excited to win two awards last year, which has been tremendous for our business.

“Being recognised as a fast-growing family business that has ambitious plans for the future was testament to our hard-working team. And for us, taking home the top prize, Family Business of the Year was truly special, so we encourage other family businesses to enter this year, celebrate their successes and get the recognition that their efforts deserve.”

In 2018 the awards drew over 130 entries from a range of family businesses across the Midlands. Innovation and commitment to excellence was clear across all winners, alongside strong family values.

The much-deserving Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and The Midlands Air Ambulance are the charities that the awards will be supporting this year.

Nominations for the 2019 awards close 12th July and can be submitted via the awards website www.familybusinessawards.co.uk

 

 

Family Business Awards’ deadline extended

18 July 2018

The deadline for entries to the 2018 Midlands Family Business Awards, organised by Wilsons, has been extended by two weeks to midnight on Friday 27 July.

Entries to the Awards – the Midlands only initiative dedicated to showcasing the work and success of the region’s family businesses – are free of charge and can be made via the Awards website with ten categories to choose from, including the headline Family Business of the Year Award.

“After receiving a number of requests for more time, we have pushed back our final deadline by two weeks,” explains Charlotte Perkins (pictured) of third generation family business The Wilson Organisation, which organises the Awards, “to ensure that family run and owned businesses don’t miss the chance to showcase their work and achievements, and to give them a little more time to polish and perfect their submissions.

“The entry process is really easy – simply head to the Awards website, register and start the online submission in up to two categories. Entries can be saved and revisited at any time before making the final submission by the new deadline of midnight on Friday 27 July.

“Guidance on what the judges are looking for and the entry criteria can also be found on our website, and the Awards team are always on hand to answer any queries,” she adds, “from which category may be best, to when and where the judging days will be held.”

The full line-up of categories and their sponsors in 2018 is:

• Family Business of the Year – sponsored by OrderWise
  • Best Small Family Business – sponsored by John Pye Auctions
  • Director of the Year – sponsored by Goldfish
  • Employer of the Year – sponsored by Buckles Solicitors
  • Fastest Growing Family Business – sponsored by PwC
  • Innovation – sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals
  • Service Excellence – sponsored by Shakespeare Martineau
  • Manufacturing Excellence
  • Retail Excellence
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • People’s Choice Award – sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants and decided by public vote.

Now in their ninth year, the Awards are the only initiative dedicated to celebrating and recognising the success, achievements and innovations of family run and owned businesses across the Midlands.  100 percent independent and not-for-profit, the Awards have raised over £30,000 for Midlands-based charities since their launch.

Charlotte adds: “The Awards are all about honouring the family business community across the Midlands. We are grateful for the support of all our sponsors, some of which have been with us from the start, for their incredible generosity.

“The Awards are firmly established as a highlight in the Midlands calendar and we hope that with the extra two weeks until our extended deadline, even more family businesses from across the region will take the opportunity to shout about their work and enter this year’s Awards.”

Six finalists in each category will be chosen to go forward and meet the judging panel, with informal interviews taking place from mid-September to mid-October.

Each judging panel is led by a leading family business person, supported by a sponsor representative, an industry expert and representative from the Awards team, with the results a tightly kept secret until the Awards ceremony and black-tie dinner on Thursday 22nd November 2018 at Leicester’s Athena.

For further details or help with entering the Awards, visit www.familybusinessawards.co.uk or contact: Ped Briggs email:  [email protected] T: 0115 942 0111.