The Co-operative Bank hosts free webinar on supporting SME business to thrive post pandemic

The Co-operative Bank and its partners, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, AXA Insurance and Assurant, are hosting a free webinar on 22 September 2021 from 11.00am-12.00pm to share guidance and support about how SMEs can rebuild and protect their business post pandemic.

The last 18 months have been challenging for businesses, big and small, and as we start to adapt to whatever our new normal is, it is important businesses consider all their options and think through what they might need to do differently to ensure they not only survive, but thrive in this new trading environment. The Co-operative Bank together with experts from AXA Insurance and Assurant will host a webinar that will explore:

• The ending of furlough and the impact on HR
• EU settlement grants and how to apply
• IT security and fraud – how to stay safe in an agile working environment
• Staying one step ahead of the latest fraud scams
• Tips for rebuilding post the pandemic
• The importance of fostering equality, culture and diversity in the workplace

As well as the discussion points above an expert panel will be available to answer any specific questions during a Q&A session. Panel members include;

• Maria Cearns, Managing Director for customer and people at The Co-operative Bank. Maria will talk about the importance of promoting equality, culture and diversity in the workplace and also how to foster a positive and co-operative culture despite many employees working from home.
• Debbie Jenkinson a fraud specialist and education leader at The Co-operative Bank. Debbie will give an insight into current fraud and scams, how criminals are targeting businesses and how to stay protected as businesses mix office and home working now restrictions are easing.
• Gerry Donnachie, Head of Underwriting and Pricing for AXA Insurance. Gerry will use his 35 years of commercial insurance underwriting experience to provide guidance on what businesses should think about in order to stay well protected in the aftermath of the pandemic so businesses can remain resilient in the future.
• Josh Beasley, Vice-President of Global business development at Assurant. Josh’s expertise covers manufacturing, supply-chain and aftersales gained through his previous roles in Service & Fulfilment and Financial Services sectors. Josh will draw on his specialist experience working globally in Strategy & Business Development across both B2C and B2B channels.

Our panel of experts from The Co-operative Bank, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, AXA Insurance and Assurant will provide guidance on how businesses can thrive post-pandemic, including changes in legislation, the ending of furlough and the impact these changes will have when we finally return to the workplace. We'll also cover the importance of data security and fraud, and how to stay protected when combining office and remote working.

Maria Cearns, Managing Director of Customer and People at The Co-operative Bank said; “Absolutely the last 18 months have been challenging for SME businesses, but that could now be turned into an opportunity for businesses to really reflect on what has and hasn’t been working for them and can they now make changes for the better as they move forward. How businesses support their workforce and facilitate them to work in a more agile and flexible way will be really important and something that could shift the dial in a business’s success.”

Gerry Donnachie, Head of Underwriting & Pricing, AXA Business Insurance said; “In research recently carried out by AXA, we have explored, in depth, the importance of SMEs to the economy. The findings have shown just how resilient and adaptable these businesses are and how opportunities have been harnessed even in the most challenging of times. As one of the largest insurers of SMEs in the UK, AXA welcomes this opportunity to discuss the role of insurance in protecting businesses as they evolve to meet the challenges of a post-pandemic economy.”

A spokesperson from Assurant said “There are approximately 5.9 million SMEs in the UK today, they account for 99.9% of the total business population employing around 16.8 million people. The SME segment truly is the backbone of our economy which is why it is so important to support this area of the market – now more than ever as challenges from lockdown play through. It’s fantastic to be able to share and support this initiative, providing crucial information and insight to help these businesses not just survive, but thrive.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce said; “The Covid-19 pandemic affected businesses and the economy like no other crisis. At the same time, the pandemic has created new opportunities and forced SMEs to innovate. As Greater Manchester's SMEs recover from the worst impact of the pandemic, they will benefit from having trusted partners who can help them overcome lingering challenges and make use of new opportunities. As the largest business representative organisation in the North West, the Chamber is pleased to partner with The Co-operative Bank, AXA Insurance and Assurant to deliver this business webinar. We are confident that it will enable SMEs to understand the current business landscape and how they can recover, rebuild, and grow in a post-pandemic world."

To register for this free event please visit:
Welcome | Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (gmchamber.co.uk)
Registration closes on Wednesday 15 September 2021.