Tell us about your business and what you do.

Cave & Sons is a wealth management firm offering services that range from stockbroking to discretionary investment management, inter-generational planning and independent financial advice. We manage money on behalf of private individuals, companies, pensions, Trusts and charities.

What challenges have you/your clients faced during the COVID-19 pandemic?

As a business, apart from the virus-induced stock market volatility (which has certainly kept us busy), not being able to hold face-to-face meetings with clients has been the most significant challenge we have faced.

For clients, those that have been invested in the stock market for many years understand that (occasionally extreme) volatility is to be expected, whereas for those relatively new to investing, the recent market crash (which saw the FTSE100 fall 35% peak-to-trough) has been a rather uncomfortable experience.

How have you helped your clients overcome these challenges?

We have ensured client communications are frequent and relevant. During times such as these, clients are understandably unsettled and often speaking to them to explain what we are doing on their behalf and why we are doing it provides them with a degree of comfort. It’s also been important to remain on the front foot, making efforts where possible to contact clients first, whether it be via telephone call, email, or video call for those more accepting of technology!

What difficulties do you foresee now we are coming out of lockdown and what support could you offer?

It will take months, maybe years, to understand the full impact of closing down the economy for over a quarter of a year. A sharp rise in unemployment does, however, look inevitable. For those unlucky enough to lose their jobs but coming to end of their career, who were possibly considering retirement anyway, our team of financial planners can discuss and explore whether their current retirement provisions are sufficient to support their lifestyles and, if not, how this could be made possible. For those that were considering establishing an investment portfolio, but have perhaps been unsettled by recent developments, we can provide re-assurance and structure an appropriate plan.

What have been your highs and lows during the last 3 months?

The last three months have been the most challenging of my career, managing client portfolios through the extreme market volatility has been difficult, and at times felt like there has been no place to hide! Without my colleagues, though, it would’ve been far tougher. I now appreciate, more than ever before, being part of a hardworking and collaborative team, where experience, expertise and good humour are all required in equal measure and have been essential to navigating the current crisis.

Ed Caswell, Chartered FCSI & Associate Director at Cave & Sons | T: 01604 621421 | E: ecaswell@caves.co.uk

Tell us about your business and what you do.

SMS commercial cleaning has been proudly working in the private sector for 20+ years providing contract cleaning, high level specialist cleaning and we have a specialist team that specialises in all methods of disease control.

What challenges are you/your customers currently facing following the COVID-19 pandemic?

SMS cleaning recently featured on BBC News. We as a company recognise, as do many, the support and confidence people need to have to get back into the workplace; in particular the Disease Control Program as a solution to help UK businesses get back to work. Speaking to Hazel Scanlon, Director at SMS cleaning, the TV report demonstrated the steps taken which help support employers and employees in building confidence to get back into the workplace and help promote lowering the risk.

How are these challenges being overcome?

With movement restrictions being lifted, the BBC also discussed the safety processes firms are using to prepare their workplaces. Hazel Scanlon, Director at SMS cleaning, explained how premises are fogged with antiviral products which help to eliminate the virus in the air and on surfaces, this method is the best method to cover all areas of your building to give additional protection and to safeguard staff in their working environment. Additional precautions can also be taken. SMS cleaning can erect sneeze screens, provide facemasks, sanitiser stations and signage for extra protection.

What difficulties do you foresee coming out of lockdown and what support would help?

We need to be mindful that staff members are worried for their families, friends, colleagues and members of the public and that our priority as individuals is to avoid further spread of the virus and taking the necessary measures to lower the risk. We must focus on building our staff’s confidence and assuring them that their work environment is a safe place to work.

Any UK organisation can sign up to the free COVID-19 Health Assessment app and use this tool as part of their strategy to return to the workplace. SMS cleaning can support businesses with signing up to the app. The Disease Control Program is crucial for organisations who have staff who are unable to work from home and are emerging from lockdown.

What message would you pass onto others?

SMS cleaning are already using the Health Assessment app to help keep the SMS workforce safe during their front-line activities. The app allows SMS to see what percentage of their workforce each day is fit and well and who needs support. We are aware, as responsible employers, that our staff safety is paramount as are a number of the sites we are responsible for. We must work together to find solutions to keep our families, friends, colleagues and our nation safe.

Hazel Scanlon, Director at Support Maintenance Services Ltd (SMS Ltd) | T: 01908 319494 | E: info@smscleaning.co.uk