D E Ford is fortunate to employ a group of people who not only care about looking after our clients’ needs in our day to day business activities.  Like a good number of organisations today, our people are also passionate about the community and they’re willing to “go the extra mile” to give something back to assist the lives of those less fortunate than they are. D E Ford’s efforts gathered momentum in 2010 and picked up further pace in 2011, with their participation in both the Jane Tomlinson Run For All, York 10k on 31st July and the Jane Tomlinson Walk For All 14 mile walk in the Yorkshire Dales on 14th August.

At the heart of the effort was Joanne Noble, our ‘organiser’. In May 2010 Jo’s Aunt lost her battle with breast cancer. Jo picked up on the incredible Jane Tomlinson story, mentioned it to her immediate colleagues and participation in the York 10k 2010 followed. As Jo says, “On the Monday morning following the event, despite the aches and pains, everyone said they would be keen to take part again the next year. It was pretty much there and then that we decided that D E Ford would participate in an annual fund raising event. We’d had fun and we’d also seen the team-building benefits of getting together out of work for the good of worthy causes”.

So it was that in January 2011  we opened up to everyone working at Fords for suggestions as to what we should do in 2011. The conclusion was that we’d do two events, the “York 10k” and the “Walk The Dales”. Both were once again Jane Tomlinson events, though of course a key feature is that participants can nominate charities of their choosing as beneficiaries from sponsorships gained. Having supported Sue Ryder in 2010, we decided to split our donations two ways this year. Many of our people are parents and therefore we chose Acorns Children’s Hospice and Caudwell Children, both of whose work we greatly admire. What have now become “the usual” activities took place at our designated fundraising day in May; bric-a-brac, cakes & buns, super-hero quiz etc saw us set the ball rolling by raising £295.20 “in-house”.

Despite the inevitable stiffness of limbs, blisters and tired bodies we’re pleased to say we counted all our runners and walkers out, and counted them all back in again at the finish to both events. We’re extremely proud that donations of circa £4500 in 2010 were exceeded in 2011 by some 33%, as once again the generosity of clients, business partners, relatives and friends made the difference and we marginally exceeded £6000 in total, once Gift Aid was added where eligible.

We’re pleased to show a few pictures from the days here and we’d like to record special thanks to all our sponsors. Now Joanne, about 2012…

We are pleased to advise that we have developed and have launched our Shop Insurance page.

We have a long term commitment within the retail sector and are dedicating this service to help protect companies and families in the Yorkshire area who are at risk of serious loss.

Heading up the team is Richard Whitehead ACII who has been with us for over seven years and who has spent most of that time dealing with your sector.

We are pleased to advise that we have developed and have launched our Foster Care Insurance page.

Our involvement within the care sector spans over many years. Over this time we have built up a unique understanding of the challenges faced by organisations involved directly and indirectly in the provision of foster care.

Heading up the team is Zach Gray A.C.I.I. who has been with us for over ten years and who has spent most of that time dealing with your sector.

THIS IS WHAT HAS RECENTLY BEEN REPORTED

Hotel manager & fire risk assessor jailed for fire safety offences

A recent prosecution has thrown into focus the need for a robust approach to fire risk assessment.  Nottingham Crown Court has handed down a custodial sentence to both the operator of commercial premises & the external consultant engaged to carry out the fire risk assessment.  In addition to the custodial sentence, both guilty parties were required to meet the costs associated with the prosecution (total of nearly £21,000).

Inspections last July by Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service at the two hotels revealed inadequate fire doors, exit doors blocked or locked, no alarms or self-closing fire doors in bedrooms & no alternative escape routes.

Fire extinguishers at the hotels had not been tested for three years.

It was the first time in the country that an independent fire risk assessor had been convicted, & the judge branded him an ‘absolute disgrace’ after hearing he had no qualifications for the role (he traded as a fire protection company which mainly sold fire extinguishers).

When asked about the 147-page Government guide to fire risk, he said: “I’ve read a bit but obviously it’s a big, thick book. I’m not fully clued up on it, I must admit.”

Our advice is 

1.    Insurance considerations

Limited Companies & Charitable organisations should have in place Directors & Officers or Charitable Trustee Indemnity Insurance. This insurance will cover directors / trustees personal liabilities they may have to make good the organisation’s losses. A cautionary note however – once a conviction is reached, insurers may withdraw support & will not meet any penalties imposed.

2.    Risk management considerations

Most commercial & charitable organisations will have a statutory responsibility to carry out a fire risk assessment; an increased emphasis will be placed on regulation of premises where there is a sleeping risk (as was the case in this instance).  It is critical therefore to -

• carry out, document & review your fire risk assessment
• if a consultant is engaged, you should ensure that they can demonstrate a track record & experience of assessing premises similar to your own

Our Risk Management Team are experienced fire risk assessors, particularly with sleeping risk accommodation. Our work has been accepted by the various fire authorities in the areas where we work.

Fire Risk Assessments can be carried out by our risk managers, for more details contact our risk management team by emailing us at riskman@deford.co.uk

Employers have a duty of care to staff, volunteers, customers & others who are legitimate visitors to their premises.

If you are operating from an area affected by the civil unrest, you may wish to consider the following

Put the safety of people first by keeping up to date with local knowledge about the rioting activity

• Remind staff that they are not expected to travel to areas affected by rioting
• If violence is occurring nearby, & if in doubt, close & secure your premises
• Consider where staff will be safest, either staying put or going home. Agree the routes of exit from your premises that do not require going into the riot area
• Keep people away from windows & main access areas that overlook the riot area
• Keep mobile telephones fully charged
• Agree any lone working procedures that may need changing, such as key holder/ intruder alarm response
• Remind staff that they are not expected to put themselves at risk of injury, that they should go with their ‘gut instinct’ when faced with a threatening situation & that you don’t expect them to be a hero
• Make your customers aware that normal services may be disrupted; early closing may happen, house calls may not be possible & routine requests subject to delay. It may be necessary to increase the availability of telephone communication.
• Ensure any CCTV system fully operational.
• Consider removing high value goods from display during this period of disruption
• Keep secure any items with a good ‘street value’. This could be electrical goods, alcohol or less obvious things like powerful drugs & prescription pads
• Look at your business continuity plans to check that they are current & relevant
• Consult the Metropolitan Police’s guidance to businesses to prepare for any incidents - http://content.met.police.uk/News/Disorder-updates-&-advice/1260269372559/1257246741786

Current Metropolitan Police guidance to businesses that are in an affected area includes

Victims of looting can expect the police to seize CCTV footage. Therefore ensure these are not erased & are kept out of sight should looters gain access to premises & take the opportunity to destroy the recording equipment.

• Keep a stock of tapes/CD’s to replace those taken by police
• Ensure that the premises are as secure as possible
• Ensure that any property stolen is as identifiable as possible e.g. make, model, serial numbers & colour
• Keep up to date stock records to aid traceability