Our Voice - May 2020 by brokernetworkuk

GROUP

MAY 2020

Continuity through change In this month’s edition, we have gathered accounts from around the Group to show how we’ve adapted and what we’ve learnt through these challenging times. Now’s the time to harness these changes and move forward stronger than ever before.

connecting the industry 5TH JUNE 2020 • 10.30AM

NEXT MONTH, MEMBERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VIRTUALLY NETWORK ACROSS BROKER NETWORK AND COMPASS IN OUR 90-MINUTE DIGITAL EVENT. Throughout this event, each of the Networks’ Strategic Insurer Partners will address Members’ feedback and set out their future plans post-pandemic. •

First-hand accounts from insurers on what the future holds

•

Insights into the insurers’ view of their network, its importance and how they can each play a role

•

Opportunities to engage with the feedback following the April Member survey

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? If you would like to tune in for the summit, click on the link below.

REGISTER NOW IT DOESN’T END THERE… After the main event, Members will have further opportunities to connect with individual clinics focusing on relevant topics of the insurer’s choice. Further details will be announced in due course.

Hello all from the home office... I for one can’t believe that we are now at the end of May and in the 8th week of lockdown; the time seems to have both flown and dragged in equal measures. What is incredible to still witness though is the hard work of everyone across Bravo. We’re blown away by the result of your hard work in trying times; to be down on revenue by only 3% compared to last April when we were anticipating a more significant drop is just incredible, and that’s down to all of you. Just make sure that you have enough energy left for yourself throughout the day and that you are actually having downtime. I know how hard it can be to switch off but it is vital for your wellbeing so please do try your best and if you are finding it difficult then speak to your manager. Over 80% of you said you felt very engaged with your line manager so just keep communicating and making sure you’re getting that time for yourself outside of work. While we’re still in the “new normal”, we don’t expect to “return to normal” any time soon. I hope that rather than feeling concerned about this, you’re reassured that you and your family’s safety remains our priority, and it makes no sense to jeopardise this when we continue to perform effectively as a business from our homes. We’d also hope that you feel intrigued at the prospect of new ways of doing things. Adversity breeds innovation, and this is an inclusive conversation, and if you have ideas of what this new “version” of Bravo Group looks like, I encourage you to put them forward. You’ll see from this edition how not just different departments, but brokers have adapted using technology. Despite the challenges our members are facing now and in the future – some are not anticipating a quick recovery for their business – they continue to see the value of being part of a network that will support them on these difficulties. Meanwhile, our Ethos Brokers are going to be embarking on a bit of healthy competition to be the leaders of “Tuplin’s 11”. Game on! And yes, the quizzes have been great. They really have. But I have no more room in my brain for general knowledge. None. Some incidental piece of trivia is going to end up pushing out something more critical, like a report stat or a key ingredient on the shopping list for tonight’s dinner. I welcome opportunities to connect. Just so long as it’s not another quiz, thanks.

Des In this issue... 04 Emerging Stronger

08 On the Case

10 Managing Anxiety

14 In the Round

16 Sweet Dreams

18 Your Bank Holiday

during Lockdown

Bucket List

12 There is always

something to be thankful for

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EMERGING

stronger As a Group, we have faced the adversity brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic collectively. Together, we have shown the tenacity of the human spirit, and we wanted to shine a light on some of the positives from across the business that have come out as a result of the crisis.

MI adopt flexible working

“

I’m really happy with the flexibility of working from home. I find that some days I am able to do more work as I am in the office at home and there are no distractions which enables me to focus.

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“

− Shahzad Baig, Finch Group

MI have been making sure to catch-up not only to talk shop, but to check in with one another, as well as allowing team members to change their working hours to balance childcare. Jon Bradshaw, Head of MI tells us: “We are having 15-minute daily calls each morning to bring the team together on what we are working on, then on Fridays we have more of a ‘coffee morning’ where we just catch up and talk about life in general. “I also have a team member who has swapped a working weekday for a Saturday to accommodate childcare and that has been working very well. These are some changes we will look to continue with after the lockdown is over.”

Client Money go paperless Head of Operational Finance and Client Money, Pam Lund, tells us, “We have converted to a paperless process almost overnight and will continue with this even when back in the office. The use of Teams has been a revelation which will bring lots of positive benefits including less travel, shared document facilities and building closer working relationships in comparison to calls and emails. We can now also give the team more flexibility in working from home.”

CLM takes to remote working like ducks to water

Hugh J Boswell note the benefits of working from home

CLM Broking Director, Paul ‘Monty’ Montgomery, says going forward the team will look to balance working both from the London office and remotely, while maintaining their high level of service and placing business for brokers.

In response to the pressures currently faced by the industry, Hugh J Boswell’s Associate Director, Graeme Wooden, provides an insight into restoring public faith, as well as positive changes that have occurred in his experience of working from home. “I think both insurers and brokers have to continue to do the basics well and look after their clients, making it clear what we are doing for them and why the COVID-19 outbreak was largely not insured across the industry. I also think it will be for BIBA to really stand up and take action too in promoting the industry.

Monty explains: “COVID-19 will alter the future of insurance certainly, definitely around how we trade. The benefit of face-to-face meetings when broking cannot be overlooked; they serve a purpose in nurturing a relationship and, when necessary, applying pressure when you need to get something across the line. “However, COVID has shown us that virtual meetings, such as via Teams, can be very useful in bringing people together in one forum, without the need for travelling. The cost and time savings are impressive. “Lockdown has brought tremendous challenges to the table, but there are members of team that have taken to homeworking like a duck to water and find themselves to be more productive at home rather than in an office, with the distractions and interruptions that are part of every-day office life. At the same time, other staff naturally miss the social interaction of engaging with their fellow team members, bouncing ideas and suggestions off each other. There is a balance to this that we can look to work on I believe and get the best of both worlds. “In the meantime, we will continue to offer a professional, efficient level of service to our clients, whilst navigating any new challenges that remote working presents until we know that it is safe to return to London.”

“

I have found working from home to have a really positive effect on my work / life balance…

“

− Alex Gemmell, Finch Group

“Having worked remotely for some time, I’ve found that the reduction in unnecessary meetings has really focused the mind on time and planning for the day. It has proven that people are much more self-sufficient than they think. We’ve also found that during this time we’ve had zero sickness calls, which leads us to consider that if working from home was more of an option – if you’re feeling a bit rough you might be less inclined to take a full day off work.”

Compliance welcome the new digital landscape The Risk & Compliance Management team has embraced virtual training from both an external and internal perspective. “To help give Members the support they need, we’ve set up Teams meetings with them to go through their regulatory needs and questions, as well as helping one broker to complete their FCA application through email,” explains Donna Walker, Head of Member Risk & Compliance Management. “We’ve really taken the new digital landscape on board; we had new Regulatory File Auditor, Rosie Walker, join us in April and we carried out her onboarding via video conference. We’ve also had our first department training session via Teams, which was a real success. We have a structured training session every quarter and previously we have met at head office for this, but as we move forward, we will look at doing these with shared screens rather than all of us needing to be in Knaresborough.”

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BDMS to look at more virtual interactions When asked if COVID-19 has changed the future of insurance, Network Sales Executive, Alexa Owen says, “Absolutely and for the better.” “I think clients have realised that in times of crisis to have a broker to turn to is a massive help,” she continues. “The role of a broker has really come to light over the past couple of months and those who purchased a policy directly from an insurer on the internet without reading the small print have really felt it. “As a BDM community, we have always worked remotely, albeit not for such periods of time, but I think across the Bravo Group I’ve seen a real sense of coming together and everyone being there for others. The virtual coffee break, the quizzes, the random chat messages with people you wouldn’t normally speak within the office has been great. I think we will continue with a bit more virtual interaction moving forward.”

Group Compliance and Agency do their bit for the environment Lockdown has allowed Group Compliance and Agency to do their bit for the environment, as Tracy Leworthy, Agency Administrator, tells us: “We’ve made better use of technology and have gone paperless, while still meeting targets and deadlines, as well as arranging for legal documents to be signed electronically. We’re going to look at continuing this, as it helps us to do our bit to save the trees and planet. “We have all seen the benefits of working from home and the flexibility to work round family and other commitments, while still getting all work completed. We have Teams catch-ups every day and Group meetings twice a week; it’s valuable having everyone get together to go through work issues and general catch up on each other’s welfare – something you often forget to do when in the office. “We’re looking at carrying on our remote catch-ups with the whole team. It’s great to get together in person, but doing it digitally reduces the need for long journeys and additional expenses, especially the people who spend two-hours-plus travelling. This also has environmental benefits, as it means less cars on the road. Plus, it allows people to have more time with their families, in addition to more ‘me-time’.”

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MCM discover the strength of their business continuity plan MCM Claims Manager, Nina Mahaffy (LLB), tells us; “I’ve been very impressed by everyone’s stoicism and the carrying on of ‘business as usual’. Aside from the occasional washing machine in the background, clients have advised me they’ve not noticed anything different – they’re still being serviced to the usual level and they’re all happy (except those with Covid-19 BI claims!). We always go above and beyond where we’re able to; that remains the same. “The whole situation has tested our business continuity plan to its full extent, and it’s been successful.”

Compass Networks looks at the positives “It has been a change for the team,” explains David Mumford, Compass BDM. “For all of us our skill sets lie in face-to-face interactions and connections. That said, we have changed the way we connect not only with our members, but with one another. We’ve now been having weekly sales calls with Network Sales Director, Scott Bennett, both to check in with where we are with members, but also to see how we’re all coping.” The BDMs have also chipped in to help other teams, such as CLM, David tells us: “We all have transferable skills, so we’ve stepped into help CLM when we’ve had capacity. It’s our attitude as a BDM group to help anyone within the business, where we can.” For David, he personally wants to look at the good that can come out of the pandemic for his panel of brokers: “I usually travel down to Cornwall to meet with my members in person every three months, which I will be looking to do again when I can. However, I will be looking to have more Teams calls with my brokers on a monthly basis in between seeing them face-to-face to provide them with updates. I think coming out of COVID-19, we will communicate with members more, and I can only see that as a positive. “I’ve been creating a lead generation spreadsheet, so that when I am able to visit members, I can discuss growth opportunities with them. This will then help us to be more proactive and less reactive after lockdown,” he adds.

Systems offer digital training Perry Appleton looks to a more flexible, connected future Claire Russell, Operations Director of Perry Appleton and founder of Mental Health in Business tells us; “I am confident that the current situation will positively change the future of insurance in many ways. For our business we have learnt that we are considerably more adaptable than we previously thought. Before, we were a traditional office-based business but when homeworking was forced upon us, we quickly had to adapt the way we work and look after our clients. “This will have a positive impact for our team in many areas, allowing us to consider more flexible ways of working. The way we currently service clients – including Zoom meetings – will remain in the future, as it will help to cut down on unnecessary travel which brings risks of its own. It’s also highlighted the importance of creating a clear distinction between work and home life. For me personally, I’ve been making a concerted effort to close my laptop and give my family my full attention in the evenings and will continue this moving forward. “As we are a small business, there are certain things we may have been complacent about, including the effort we’ve made to connect with colleagues. When you’ve worked together for a long time, there is a tendency to just come in and get on with it. As we’ve all been working from home there has been an increased awareness in ensuring that everyone feels connected and no-one is left out of the loop. As we start to transition into normality, this is what we hope to maintain.”

For Systems Consultancy, social distancing has allowed them to look at expanding their online offering for Acturis training. “We’ve carried out our first digital Go Live session this month for a Member moving to Acturis, which went really well,” shares Katie Nobes, Senior System Support Consultant. “With this particular Member, we’ve also set up a Teams chat as a pilot to see if a quick response system to their queries works for both us and the brokers.” Katie continues: “We’ve been providing digital Acturis accounts workshops for about a year now, and we were looking at introducing an online offering for the go live sessions, however, COVID-19 has highlighted not only a need for it, but how easily it can be done. “We normally spend two days in the office with Members prior to them going live on Acturis, which is intensive and a lot of information for the brokers to take in in one go. We will still be offering face-to-face sessions, but by also providing a digital option it means Members can do the training in bitesize chunks at a time that suits them. “We’re now working with the IT department to put the digital workshops in place, as well as the Learning and Development team to ensure it is interactive and engaging for Members.”

Together, we will emerge stronger. OUR

Voice

ON THE CASE

With the Coronavirus affecting brokers and clients alike, we spoke to Members of both networks, as well as a client of Ethos Broking Partner, MCM, to show how as a Group we’ve continued to support them through this period of change.

WHEN LIGHTING STRIKES TWICE… When the floods hit towns and cities across the UK in February of this year, many individuals and businesses were badly affected. Not long after, the nation started to experience the initial disruption caused by COVID-19, putting additional pressure on existing flood-related claims. In the following testimonial, we’re told how Graeme Henderson, Director of Henderson Property, was supported by MCM Insurance throughout the duration of their flood claim, helping them to achieve a fair and timely outcome.

HERE’S GRAEME’S STORY… age od dam o fl r e f to suf oods. nough ruary fl e b e e t F a e n h t d for a rtu during rganise re unfo o s e ed ie o w t h r e e w “W nce f inform prop f a r r a t u u s s o f In im o MCM laim. M’s cla to two sue a c ntacted ays later. MC r o u c p ly o t e two d mediat needed rts. “We im ster to attend ments u po c o d ress re nd dju a g A o s r wn, e s p r s u r o L r fo lockdo e t roced o s p t ju e in d h y t Loss A countr me of teve ed the sed the ector S c a r ir h o c D f s y n n e Th ituatio eratio ID-19 s heir Op ter. V t O d C n a e f th im staf e adjus “When CM cla ressure on th M e h t e for p both pt the ame du e c k e b m s a policie Wheth es, our u s tions. is d oun negotia p t with m im o la c c “To the ttlemen isting e g s in r le u ib d x s l h the e e a sen renewa egotiat ur policies wit n e m helped renewal of o for all.” “Steve and tcome u r o e t y s r ju o tisfact the ad so a sa – r e r u ins

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IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY…

Self-confessed advocate of Networks, Martin Claydon, Director at James & Lindsay, says that the support he has received from Broker Network during the pandemic has been unparalleled. And, now, off the back of the information they’ve been provided by Broker Network, James & Lindsay is looking to launch its social media channels for the first time.

HERE’S WHAT MARTIN HAD TO SAY...

“When we went into lockdown, we were looking at pulling together emails to send our clients, so we spoke to our Marketing Account Executive, Sam Hey; she has been a great help and was able to pull together a comms for us to send to all our clients to say we were here to support them.

“We moved office last year and, working with the Marketing Consultancy team, we rebranded the business for the first time in over 10 years. Sam and the team were able to produce a Coronavirus comms for our customers that was on brand, allowing us to have a uniformed approach. This is something we simply wouldn’t have thought of or had the time to do. And, some of clients have been in touch to say it was lovely to hear from us. “One of the things that has had the biggest impact for us is the Cyber Pack, which we have been able to brand with the James and Lindsay logo. Cyber risks have increased as a result of people working remotely, and the Cyber Pack allows us to provide that continuity of care for our customers by highlighting issues to them. If we sell cyber policies off the back of it and help our clients to stay protected, then that is a positive. It is something we wouldn’t have been able to produce in-house and by saying we’ve been working with our Network on it gives it a kudos.

“Being part of the Network during the Coronavirus pandemic has allowed us as a relatively small business to give the impression of a bigger firm and keep up with the information the corporate companies are sending out. We’re currently not on social media and now we know the kind of thing to push out, thanks to Broker Network, we will be looking to set up LinkedIn and Twitter pages, which is exciting for us. “In the first few weeks, we had a call with Richard Pitt, Paul Meehan and our fellow Organic Growth Programme (OGP) participants. It was great to talk to everyone and hear how everyone was doing during this time; we were all sharing tips to help one another through this. We’ve also set up an OGP WhatsApp group and I’ve spoken to some of the other brokers who were on the programme that are local to us. That’s the thing about being part of a Network; it’s a community and we want to help one another. “We’ve not had an issues HR or Compliance issues recently, but we know that if we do, we can call someone at the drop of a hat, and they will be there to help. That’s what being part of a Network is all about.”

IT’S A TRUE PARTNERSHIP… HERE’S RAY’S THOUGHTS… Ray Harris, Operations Director at C&C Insurance Brokers, says he feels being part of Compass Networks is a collaboration. For Ray, it has been a combination of the communications and packs they have received and the relationships that Compass has with insurers that have helped C&C through the COVID-19 pandemic. “At the start of the lockdown, we were receiving dozens of communications from insurers, which was a lot of information to take in. The regular bulletins from Compass have been a great help, as they pull together key insurer updates in one place. “The white-label packs that we have received have been a great resource to refer to and have helped with sharing information to both our people and clients.

These are the types of things that we would find it difficult to pull together if we weren’t part of a network. “It is very noticeable that the insurer partners we have access to as part of Compass Networks are really interested in our business and see the importance of the relationship we have with them. “Our BDM, Fintan, has been fantastic; he’s been checking in and is genuinely interested to know that we’re ok. He’s also been making sure we’re aware of the updates that have been issued from Compass. It’s great to have that dedicated person to go to. If we ever have a question or a challenging risk, Fintan will help us or will know someone who can because he has those connections through the network.” OUR

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managing anxiety during lockdown Founder of Mental Health in Business (MHIB), Claire Russell, tells us her personal experience of anxiety and panic attacks and explains her methods and tips for managing anxiety over these troubling times. We were experiencing a global mental health crisis long before medical experts around the world had even heard of COVID-19. “Mental health and behavioural problems (e.g. depression, anxiety and substance misuse) are the main causes of the overall disease burden worldwide” Mental Health Foundation, 2020. As a result of the pandemic, most of us suddenly found ourselves living and working in isolation – observing social distancing when we do go out – prevented f rom seeing our f riends and families. Those with existing mental health conditions face an even greater struggle to access the support that they need – and more people than ever are experiencing symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety is a normal human physiological and psychological response to stressful situations, but for some people, anxiety can develop in to a debilitating condition. It is estimated that 250-300 million people globally have an anxiety disorder. I never imagined that I would experience anxiety myself – I really did think that it was something that happened to other people, not to me. And then, after a long period of working under a lot of stress, I began to experience

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anxiety and panic attacks. In time, anxiety became my constant companion, it stopped me f rom doing the things I had previously enjoyed and caused panic attacks that felt like heart attacks. In a survey conducted f rom March 20-30, 2020, by the Off ice for National Statistics, twice as many British people reported a high level of anxiety after the Coronavirus lockdown, compared with the end of 2019. The survey shows widespread worries about a lack of wellbeing – which the ONS said included stress, anxiety and loneliness; followed by concerns about work and household f inances. Surprisingly, perhaps, direct health problems came much lower down the list. “People’s most common concerns related to their well-being, their work, and their f inances,” ONS, March 2020 Anxiety is one of the most common forms of mental illness – and it can have a signif icant effect on your physical health too. Research shows that if you suffer f rom an anxiety disorder, you may be at higher risk of experiencing physical health problems – therefore when you manage your anxiety, you are also taking care of your physical health.

So, how can we manage anxiety now, as we start thinking about lockdown restrictions easing, and as we start planning for a transition back to some sort of normality? Here are a few thoughts:

Acknowledge that anxiety is a normal response – it’s ok to feel what you feel.

Talk to someone about the things that are worrying you – sometimes it can help get some perspective on the circumstances.

Avoiding situations that you feel anxious about can compound the problem – it’s better to ask for help managing any fears rather than avoid dealing with it.

Recognise that each person’s experience is unique – we do not all cope with change in the same way, and we do not manage stress and fear in the same way.

Understand that a balanced diet, sleep and exercise can all be very helpful in managing anxiety.

Write down the things that trigger feelings of anxiety and the things that help to calm you when you are feeling anxious.

Alcohol and caffeine can exacerbate feelings of anxiety in some people – having awareness on the affects (or after-affects) of alcohol, caffeine or other stimulants can be helpful.

Mindfulness, meditation and breathing techniques are great for managing anxiety.

Remember it’s ok to need some extra help – sometimes medical help is a necessity. There are very effective anti-anxiety medications and a variety of specific anxiety therapies; your GP should always be your first port of call.

For further information and support I encourage you to make use of the resources available to you including the Employee Assistance Programme. Look after yourself.

Claire x OUR

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DAVE NEEDS A LOYALTY CARD FOR THE IT HELPDESK BRAVO IT

LOYALTY CARD

One of our busiest teams has undoubtably been the IT department, and a big thank you has to go to them for obtaining so many new laptops to allow us all to work from home. And, Dave Ball, Ethos Broking Insurer Markets Director, has a special thank you for Aaron Blacklock and Phil Pickering: “I was gutted when I dialled into a Teams call on a Monday morning and found that I had no sound, so I couldn’t participate in the New Business Campaign discussion with the RMDs and Marketing. GROUP

There aren’t many events that happen throughout our lives which cause us to universally pull together, but we can safely say that over the past few weeks, the goodness of humanity has shone out. People right across the Group have done their bit to help each other and we have seen countless small and big acts of kindness. And, we wanted to just say thank you… thank you for all your hard work, thank you for showing our collective strength and thank you for adapting to our new normal. We’re immensely proud of the strength and helpfulness that individuals across the Group have demonstrated. Here’s just a snapshot of what you’ve been up to…

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“Aaron gave me a call and spent an hour and a half troubleshooting remotely and eventually said they would get a new laptop to me. The next morning at 11.15am, there was Phil stood about three metres away with new laptop left on my doorstep. Aaron and Phil are a couple of stars and a massive help to the person who is probably Bravo Group’s biggest IT challenge! I think I need a loyalty card for the IT Helpdesk, as I am their most frequent visitor.”

TOP OF THE POPPIES By now you will likely have seen the beautiful painting of poppies by our own Simon Whitmarsh and we’re delighted to confirm it has arrived safely at its new home. Finch Group’s Ryan Houston donated £150 to the NHS for the painting and it’s now hanging in pride of place at his family home. His family are delighted with the new addition to the home and we’re hoping to see Simon’s next artistic endeavour in the near future…

FINCH GROUP DONATE OVER £450 TO CAPTAIN TOM MOORE The North offices at Finch Group recently set a challenge to raise a minimum of £250 per branch for Captain Tom Moore who walked 100 lengths of his garden to raise money for the NHS. This figure was matched by the generosity of Finch Group’s Commercial Director, Maire Brown. Well done to the whole team for raising funds for an incredibly worthy cause indeed... just in time for his 100th birthday!

CLIENT MONEY RISE TO THE CHALLENGE As the majority of us moved to working from home, the Client Money team continued with a skeleton team in the Knaresborough headquarters during the first couple of weeks of lockdown. In their last week in the office, the team of three processed 692 payments, totalling £10,645,785 with 1766 remittances to avoid disappointed brokers and insurers. An amazing feat!

ALEX AND EDITH DIG IN Sam Tillotson, Head of Group Change, wanted to give a shout out to Alex Adorjan and Edith Segnou. He says, “Both of them have been supporting Dave Ball and Simon Coletta, as well as doing their normal jobs, helping them to get through the wave of work that was created by Coronavirus. It’s even more impressive that Edith had only started with the business a few weeks before we went into lockdown, as Kat Shaw’s maternity cover, so she’s had to learn quickly.”

SEWING SCRUBS FOR THE NHS Alice Bowerman, Group Content Manager of Bravo Group, has been busy sewing scrubs for the NHS to provide them with essential PPE where it’s needed the most. Affiliated with ‘Supplies for Key Workers in and around Harrogate’, Alice has joined ‘Harrogate Scrubbers’ as part of a wider group of volunteers creating, promoting and delivering scrubs in order to support workers at Harrogate and District Foundation Trust and the wider Harrogate area.

BNU TAKES CHANGES IN ITS STRIDE The BNU team has adapted to support both brokers and each other in a number of ways. As new business requirements have fallen, work for the existing business team has increased, so the new business team has stepped in to help their colleagues. Everyone in BNU has pulled together to help everyone with transitioning to working from home, homeschooling for some, and setting up IT for members of the team who didn’t have laptops at home. For Members, they’ve taken the time to help brokers understand the extent of cover provided in our policies; as well as assisting their clients by extending policy covers, for example unoccupied premises and work equipment. As policyholders have adapted to do their bit during the crisis, making hand sanitiser, face masks, and gowns, so too has BNU by ensuring they have the right cover to support the changes in their businesses.

280

92 1000+

11 23 270+

£3M

laptops acquired COVID-19 comms to date webinar attendees Member Forums new modules on LINK stories on the Hub, Compass and Ethos COVID-19 sections

GWP of new business placed by CLM

HUGH J BOSWELL SENDS OUT HAMPERS TO KEY WORKERS The true heroes throughout the pandemic have been our front-line workers and to give something back, Hugh J Boswell has sent out hampers to a handful of front-line clients, including a local hospice. These have all been incredibly well received as a small respite amongst the difficulties they are currently battling.

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BENNETT CHRISTMAS

BOYD

A bloc

e h t n I

It’s good to talk First of all, we want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to fill in the Employee Engagement Survey. Following on from the latest Let’s Talk virtual session, as 93% of you responded to say that you’ve appreciated the comms you’ve been sent, to keep the lines of communication open, we wanted to share some more of the results with you. It’s encouraging to see that 96% of you feel positive about your mental and physical wellbeing and 80% of you have effective communications with your line manager. We know how important it is right now to stay in touch, so it’s also great to hear that 64% of you are checking in with your teams daily. We appreciate though that there are challenges and 32% of you said you always feel switched on or disconnected from the business and / or colleagues. Meanwhile, 29% are struggling to balance parenting / caring responsibilities with work and 22% have found it difficult to create a comfortable remote workstation. Please remember that you can always check in with the Exec or your manager if you’re feeling lonely, at capacity or struggling with this new way of working. We’re here to listen and will always try to help find a solution. There are also some great tools on LINK, so login and check those out. What do you want to see? More one-to-ones with your line managers, more catch ups that aren’t always to ‘talk shop’ but to check in, flexible working and working from home options when we do ultimately return to office-based working, a Group-wide intranet and the Group lobbying on issues for brokers. We want you to know that we’ve listened. Our mantra is people first and, in the coming weeks and months, we will be sharing how your input will truly help us to ensure that the Bravo Group is a business that supports you and your needs now and in the future. And, from time to time, we’ll be sending out further surveys to check we’re continuing to hit the mark.

Paul puts new shoes on

We’d like to give a warm Bravo welcome to Paul Goodman, Finch’s new Managing Director. Paul will take over from Vince Gardener’s legacy, who has now moved into his role as Director of M&A.

I have known Vince for a while, and when I heard about the opportunity that was available following his move to the central Ethos Broking team, I couldn’t turn it down.”

Paul says, “This is an exciting career move for me and I’m delighted to be embarking on leading a brokerage which I have admired for many years.

We’re sure you’ll join us in welcoming Paul to the Group.

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The rac 1st May ethosbroking.co.uk

STARRING IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

FINCH

HUGH J BOSWELL KNIGHTHOOD LOCKYERS

MCM

PERRY APPLETON SAFFRON

T&R

WEALD

ckbuster competition is coming to a screen near you, and everyone has a part to play… Will you steal the march on the market and emerge victorious?

ce is on from y – 31st July

INTRODUCING...

TUPLIN’S ELEVEN

AN ETHOS BROKING PRODUCTION

STARRING: BENNETT CHRISTMAS, BOYD, FINCH, HUGH J BOSWELL, KNIGHTHOOD, LOCKYERS, MCM, PERRY APPLETON, SAFFRON, T&R AND WEALD

OUT NOW

his month, we’ve launched a blockbuster of an Ethos Broking new business campaign to boost morale and motivation, as well as bring some new blood into our revenue streams. Each Partner brokerage will vie for the top spot and the chance to win ultimate bragging rights – a much coveted prize for any salesperson. To make it fair and square, the competition will be judged on percentage growth, rather than volume. The race is now on until 31st July.

On the pulse We still don’t truly understand the full scale of the impact of COVID-19, so to gauge the feelings of Members across both Compass and Broker Network around the support and offerings from our Insurer Partners, we sent them a pulse questionnaire. The results show that 81% of Members from both networks feel they have effectively adapted to the challenges brought on by the Coronavirus. It’s also fantastic to see that 99.9% of Members feel they get positive support from their BDM – a testament to the hard work of our BDM community. The survey also revealed that 70% of Members think the crisis will affect their financial performance for the next one to three years and 67% expect to make changes to their operating models and working patterns.

Members’ top three priorities Profitability / growth Customer experience Expense management

Members’ top three challenges Client retention People / staff Client acquisition

Many of these sentiments were echoed in the 11 Virtual Member Forums, which were conducted soon after the survey. This insight will allow us to shape our Networks and Insurer Partners’ strategies both during and after the Coronavirus pandemic.

Big birthday for Bennett Christmas This month has marked 10 years since Mark Bennett and Roger and David Christmas joined forces and merged Bennett Dawes and Christmas Insurance Brokers to form Bennett Christmas. Tom Stripp, Managing Director, says, “It is fair to say this isn’t how we pictured celebrating it! Many of us are still with Bennett Christmas today and remember when we all came together back in 2010. Since then, we have extended our products to include BC Underwriting, Risk Management and even run a large ice cream and catering scheme… not that there is much chance of Mr Whippy joining us at the moment! “We would like to thank everyone who has been part of the journey, from long serving staff to the newest of recruits, we wouldn’t be here today without you all.

“As we can’t get together to celebrate as a team right now, we thought we’d share the most recent photo of us all at the Christmas Party back in December. We look forward to creating more great memories as a team moving forward. Here’s to the next 10 years!”

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Sweet dreams Your guide to a good night’s sleep

10 TIPS TO BEAT INSOMNIA The NHS has listed 10 tips to beating insomnia from exercising regularly to making sure your bed is comfortable. Click here for the 10 tips

How much sleep did you get last night? Was it the recommended eight hours? According to the NHS one in three of us suffers from poor sleep, and during lockdown, it can be even tougher for some of us to catch 40 winks. When your head hits the pillow, your mind might be racing, or you may be struggling to get out of bed on a morning. We’ve compiled a list of resources to help.

SLEEP BETTER IN 30 DAYS The Sleep Council has a 30-day Better Sleep plan, which you can download for free. With questions on your sleep, health and lifestyle, the plan is then tailored to you. Click here to get your plan

STAY A-SLEEPIO Sleepio is a sleep-improvement program featuring CBT techniques, developed by sleep scientist Colin Espie and ex-insomnia sufferer Peter Hames. Click here for more information

GET THOSE ENDORPHINS GOING Exercising on a regular basis can help you to de-stress from your day, leading to a more relaxed state when you go to bed. Check out the suggestions

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HEAL: THE FOUR PILLARS OF GOOD SLEEP The Mental Health Foundation states there are four pillars that can affect your night’s rest; Health, Environment, Attitude and Lifestyle. Creating harmony between these can help you to ‘heal’ your sleep issues. Click here for the pillars

HOW TO COPE WITH SLEEP PROBLEMS There’s a close relationship between sleep and mental health. Mind shares how lack of rest can affect your wellbeing, as well as a list of resources to help you fall into a deep slumber. Click here for more

DESIGN A SLEEP-FRIENDLY BEDROOM The Sleep Foundation says there are six easy-to-accomplish and cost-free tips to help create your own snoozing haven. Click here to read the tips

TRACK YOUR SLEEP CYCLE If you’d like to gain more insight into how you snooze each night, then you may want to download the Sleep Cycle app. It analyses your slumber and wakes you up during your lightest sleep phase, so you wake up feeling naturally rested. Download on iOS

COLOUR YOUR STRESS AWAY De-stress and get creative with the Recolor app; with more than 1,000 images to choose from, this app can help you to relax before bed. Download on iOS

GO CAFFEINE-FREE The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that consuming caffeine six hours before bed impacted participants’ rest. The Sleep Council has listed the best drinks to consume before bedtime and how they affect your slumber. Click here to read more

EAT THESE FOODS TO SNOOZE WELL Fancy a snack before bed? There are certain foods that can help you hit the hay and catch those valuable zzzs. Click here to find out more

Download on Android

SLEEP AT THE PUSH OF A BUTTON The Pzizz app uses ‘dreamscapes’ – a mix of music, voiceovers and sound effects designed using the latest clinical research – to help you sleep better at night or take power naps during the day. Download on iOS

Download on Android

GOOD SLEEP FOR ALL THE FAMILY The Sleep Council has a wealth of tips for children, pregnant women, new parents, toddlers and even teenagers, so your whole family can get a good night’s rest. Click here to find out more

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Visit (virtual) Disney World

Time to get Arty

If you can’t go to Disney, why not bring Disney to you? With Virtual Disney World you can experience many of their rides within an interactive 360º video environment, including the old classics – Splash Mountain, the Tower of Terror and Pirates of the Caribbean. If you’ve got kids, or you’re a big kid at heart yourself, why not make a day of it and make Mickey Mouse ears, Disney-themed cupcakes and finish off with an evening screening of Tangled? Everything you need to have a zipadeedoodah-time.

You don’t need a lot of fancy tools to create a masterpiece, so try dedicating a few hours to getting crafty with what’s available in your home. You may just find you have hidden talents and, if not… well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder – right? If you’re more of an appreciator of the arts, there are plenty of art galleries offering virtual tours, allowing you to discover some of the greats without having to leave your home. Check out Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum and the Louvre in France for starters.

Dance the Morning Away

Online Wine Tasting Party

For those with children, Manchester-based dance group, Company Chameleon, are hosting a free dance and movement class at 10am every Saturday morning. The classes are designed for children between the ages of 4-16 and aim to share and celebrate the wonder of dance. To take part in live showings and to catch up with their previous sessions, visit their YouTube channel here.

Why not get in touch with some friends, agree on a few bottles of wine (and perhaps a few delicious cheeses) and host your own virtual wine tasting night? It can help to choose a theme such as a particular country or region and agree in advance what’s required. Will you be doing a blind taste test? Make sure they wrap the bottles up in foil in advance. They may also need a pen and paper for taking notes.

Watch a Gig

Upcycle Old Furniture

There are plenty of musicians performing live gigs over Instagram and other live streaming platforms so keep your eye out for something that tickles your fancy. If this doesn’t appeal to you, there’s a wide selection of iconic live performances available on YouTube for you to get stuck into and relive some musical history.

Tired of looking at the tatty chest of drawers in your bedroom? Has your wardrobe seen better days? Rather than count the weeks until the waste recycling centres reopen, have a go at transforming some of your old furniture – you’ll be surprised at what some sandpaper and a lick of paint can do. House Beautiful, an online home renovation website, has provided some tips for beginners to get started here.

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Chef ’s Corner

In the past couple of months, we’ve turned into a nation of bakers and in turn, the supermarket shelves have been stripped of flour, baking soda, yeast… you name it – if you can bake with it then it’s fair game. To help you out when you’re in short supply, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite tasty alternative recipes.

If you’re out of flour, why not try blending some oats in your food processor? As a rule, one cup of oats will make around 1 cup of oat flour.

Flourless Brownies Ingredients

75 g (3oz) unsalted butter, chopped, plus extra to grease 250 g (9oz) dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), chopped 15 g (½oz) cocoa powder

2 tsp. vanilla extract 250 g (9oz) caster sugar 4 large eggs 100 g (3½oz) ground almonds

Directions

Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) mark 4. Lightly grease and line a 20.5cm (8in) square tin with baking parchment. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a large pan over a low heat, stirring occasionally. Take off heat and whisk in cocoa powder, vanilla and sugar until combined.

No Yeast Bread

Egg-free Cupcakes

Next whisk in the eggs, one at a time, before stirring in the ground almonds. Scrape into the prepared tin and level. Bake for 25-30min or until firm to the touch. Leave to cool completely in tin. Chill for at least 1hr before cutting into squares.

Ingredients

140 g plain flour 100 g caster sugar 120 ml soya or dairy milk 40 ml vegetable oil

1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 1 tsp vanilla essence Pinch of salt

Directions

Put all the ingredients into a bowl and beat until smooth. Fill cupcakes cases about two thirds full and bake at 180°C/350°F/GM4 for 15 minutes, until risen and golden. Leave to cool before decorating as desired.

500 g plain flour (regular cake or all-purpose flour not bread or whole-wheat / wholegrain) 2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt 310 ml milk (or water with a spoon of oil or melted butter)

Directions

Test the baking powder is still good by putting a teaspoon in a small dish and pouring boiling water over. It should immediately bubble and fizz vigorously. Heat the oven to 190°C Fan (210C (regular) / 375°F / GM 6. Place a baking stone or heavy baking sheet in the oven to heat. Mix the dry ingredients. Stir in the milk and bring the dough together by stirring the ingredients until the milk is mixed with flour and forms a dough. It’s easiest to do this with your hands rather than a wooden spoon. Turn the dough out onto your work surface and knead briefly until the dough has a uniform consistency. Shape the dough into a round disc about an inch to an inch and a half (about 3cm) thick and deeply score the top with an X. This is important! Don’t make a round ball of dough as it won’t cook in the middle. Bake on the hot stone or baking sheet at for about 35 minutes until pale brown and sounding hollow when tapped on the bottom.

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THE POWER OF CONNECTIONS At the Bravo Group, it’s a big part of our culture to talk and stay connected. And, it’s more important now than ever that we all stay in touch. We’ve loved hearing your stories and business wins; please do keep sending them in, so we can continue to spread joy and good news throughout the business.

Talk to us: internalcommunications@bravo-group.co.uk

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