Continuity are delighted to be able to announce that they have been nominated as Finalists in the Service Provider of the Year category of the 2008 British Insurance Awards, for their response to the 2007 summer floods. First and foremost, we wish to thank our customers, without whose support we would not have been nominated as finalists for such a prestigious award.

Commenting on the nomination, Simon Berry, Managing Director of Continuity said:

‘I have to thank all Continuity’s people for all that they did in response to the strenuous demands and pressures to which they were subjected as a result of the summer floods’ surge last year. Their commitment, dedication, flexibility, willingness and sheer hard work was exemplary and enabled us to deliver the promises which we had made to the insurance profession in tendering exercises and otherwise. We would not be in this position were it not for our people.

I must also thank our Insurer clients and supporting Loss Adjusters for the part which they played in processing our payment applications promptly and thanks must go too to our suppliers, all of whom pulled out the stops to support us in helping Insurers’ Policyholders in their time of real need’.

Ann Wilton appointed Director of Continuity

Ann Wilton has been appointed a director of Continuity. Since 1998 Ann has operated as Company Secretary and recently as General Manager and has an intimate knowledge of the business and Damage Management in general.

Ann joins Philip Hadley and Simon Berry (MD) on the board.

Philip Hadley, the founder and Chairman of Continuity commented: “As my most longstanding business friend and confidante, I am delighted that Ann has joined the Board.  I can always rely on Ann to make the best decisions for the Company and our customers. Her wide experience will greatly assist the Board as we continue to develop and expand the business.”

Continuity are delighted to be sponsoring Andrew Moncrieff of Hawkins in his circumnavigation of the British Isles in the ‘Snow Goose’.

In doing this, Andrew is raising money for the Ellen MacArthur Trust and East Anglian Air Ambulance, both worthy causes who we are pleased to be supporting albeit in a secondary way. Details of these charities can be found at www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org and www.angliaone.org.uk. Donations can be made, respectively, at www.justgiving.com/snowgoose2008emt and www.justgiving.com/snowgoose2008eaaa.

Andrew’s progress can be tracked by clicking on the following link:
http://www.hawkins.biz/snow_goose_08.php?q=What%27s_Happening

Continuity representatives attended the Insurance Times Question Time ‘Flooding’ event in London towards the end of 2007.

During conversations afterwards, we heard from one Insurer’s representative that they were ‘ahead of the market’ in the restoration of their Policyholders’ houses following the 2007 summer UK flooding events. Party to the discussions was a Loss Assessor who, entertainingly, responded by telling the Insurer that they were, in fact, ‘among the worst’. A debate ensued with both parties firmly standing their ground.

We were fascinated by the obvious chasm between beliefs and reality.

We routinely ask Policyholders to complete Satisfaction Notes on completion of our work in any case. As a result, we already know broadly how Policyholders feel towards us and many comments made by them are visible in the testimonials section of the Continuity website.

Nonetheless, given the very stark differences of view between this Insurer and Loss Assessor, we decided to launch a more thorough survey of Policyholders. Survey forms were designed and sent to about 35% of the Policyholders with whom we were involved after the flooding. The survey form as issued is visible below. The results are summarised in the graphs below too.

We were surprised by the high number of responses which we received which represented 36% of those survey forms issued.

Given that we are sometimes the first representative of an Insurer to make contact with the Policyholder, if not meet them at their business or home, our Insurer clients will be reassured by the survey results as will the Loss Adjusters who choose to appoint us – where they have a choice.

All the completed survey forms that were returned to us were entered into a draw: one form was drawn out, with the promise that £50 would be paid to the charity chosen by that respondent. As a result, we are pleased to be able to confirm having submitted a cheque for £50 to ‘Tewkesbury Abbey PCC’.

The survey questions

In a disaster recovery situation, communications are vital, so how did we perform? Please circle with 1 being above your expectations and 6 below them:

1. Our initial telephone contact with you.
2. Were you kept informed during our work?
3. Overall how do you rate our communications with you?
   

The initial visit from us is important in laying down the scope and procedures we undertake, and building up your trust in us to perform.

1. Was it on time and appropriate?
2. Did it give you reassurance?
3. Did we adequately explain the programme of works?
4. Did we meet your expectations?

Quality of work.

1. Were Continuity staff punctual?
2. Did we treat you and your property with due consideration?
3. Were you happy with the cleaning stage of the operation?
4. Were you happy with the drying stage of the operation?
5. Overall did you get value for money from Continuity?

The results:

Continuity are pleased to be able to announce the appointment of Ian Wilson as their Health and Safety and Compliance Manager with effect from 2nd February 2007.

Continuity's Managing Director, Simon Berry, said "I warmly congratulate Ian on this appointment. He has considerable experience of the work which we carry out for Insurers' Policyholders on a day-to-day basis and, having been our deputy Health and Safety Officer for some years, is the ideal person to fulfil the requirements of this position. Ian will undoubtedly approach his work with every enthusiasm and commitment and he has our wholehearted support in an area of the business which is very important".

Continuity become CHAS accredited contractors

Continuity are proud to have achieved membership and accreditation of the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS).

Continuity’s Managing Director, Simon Berry, said "I am delighted that Continuity has achieved CHAS accreditation. This supplements our Constructionline accreditation and demonstrates our commitment to compliance with all Health and Safety legislation and good Health and Safety practices".

The CHAS assessment scheme was developed by Local Authority Health and Safety and procurement professionals with the support of the Health and Safety Executive. Accreditation demonstrates acceptable standards of Health and Safety compliance, as set by the 1974 Health and Safety at Work etc Act.

COntinuity achieves Constructionline accreditation

After comprehensive vetting, Continuity are proud to have achieved full Constructionline accreditation in the third quarter of 2006.

Constructionline is the UK's register of pre-qualified local and national construction and construction-related suppliers. Owned and endorsed by the DTI, Constructionline is a contributor to the Rethinking Construction initiative.

Constructionline gather and assess pre-qualification information on behalf of public and private sector procurers and provide them with access to over 12,500 fully accredited suppliers.

The concept of a single national database was proposed by the 1994 Latham Report. Since then Constructionline has grown and been updated in line with the needs of modern procurement. The OGC Common Minimum Standards and The Local Government Task Force also recommend using Constructionline as part of the pre-qualification and tendering process. For a more detailed insight into Constructionline and all the benefits of registering please refer to the Constructionline website at www.constructionline.co.uk.