“I hope this message finds you in good health. The Coronavirus pandemic are of course uncertain, unprecedented and extremely worrying times for everybody. First and foremost for people’s health and loved ones, but also for business worldwide. And we at SJL are no different.
Our number one priority is, of course, the health and wellbeing of our staff and their families. Our second priority is ensuring that SJL continues to trade through this crisis – so that as an FCA regulated firm we remain fully compliant, and also so that we are able to honour our moral and legal obligations to our clients, who still need to be serviced through this. They need to be able to incept, renew, amend, claim on and pay for their insurance policies so that their assets remain protected. These functions actually make a lot of our staff ‘’key workers’’. SJL has been built on the service we provide since the very first day I started the company and there is no way any of us will let even a global pandemic change that!!
To achieve this we have activated our business continuity plan and as of yesterday all of our staff are working remotely from home. To have 70 staff home working, the phone system all on divert to them, and the IT infrastructure backing it all up is without question the biggest challenge we have ever faced. But I have absolutely no doubt at all that we have the exceptional staff with the skillset and integrity to succeed with what will be our greatest achievement yet.
I have asked the team to stay positive, communicate with and help each other as much as possible, celebrate each success, drink alcohol, and when the Coronavirus is all over we’ll celebrate with a massive summer party. 🙂
I am delighted to report that yesterday started well. The IT held, our clients were serviced seamlessly, all staff rolled their sleeves up (working longer hours than normal), they produced a fantastic day of trade, and from what I’ve seen of the pictures on the team leader WhatsApp group the alcohol was flowing as requested!
The attached picture is of our wholesale sales team working hard in their homes yesterday!
There of course remains a long road ahead due to the Coronavirus. But I have never been prouder of my team and I have absolute confidence in them. Well done team, keep it going for another 20 days (at least!)
The main bulk of fundraising for our foundation is obviously pausing. But we intend to come back strong, supporting the fantastic Acorns children’s hospice (as they’ll need our help more than ever before) and also amending our business start up grants to include ‘’re starts’’ where we intend to help businesses who have had to close for this crisis to get back on their feet.
Finally, to all of our clients, trading partners and followers – Thank you for your ongoing support, from myself and everyone at SJL it is very much appreciated and it is our aim to reciprocate this and help you all going forward.
I hope you and your loved ones stay healthy and happy.
Yours, Simon Lancaster”
