I have mixed emotions as we approach December. On the one hand, as I mentioned during our client event last week, I feel that there is a lot to be optimistic about as we head into 2021. On the other hand though, it does feel like we have a fair few hurdles to jump over before we get there. Before we look at those though, let’s focus on the positive…
Turbulent Times – 6th November 2020
Well, it certainly has been a tumultuous few weeks.
Lockdown part II seems to have coincided with a fairly inconclusive US election result, which at the time of writing, looks as if it could remain that way for many days or even weeks at this stage. Throw in a relative lack of news over the progress (or not) being made with the Brexit trade deal and we have a recipe for an interesting winter.
A Message From Matt – 19th October 2020
So I caught it. The invisible and deadly virus that I have been terrified of for the past 6 months. Despite us not really seeing anyone for the first three months of lockdown, despite all the hand washing and alcohol gel, despite the face masks and social distancing, I still managed somehow to pick up the virus.
Getting Ready For Round 2
It was almost inevitable, but we are now dealing with ‘lockdown’ round 2. Just as things were beginning to return to some vague kind of normality, the virus has staged its resurgence and more restrictive measures are being introduced.
A Message From Matt – 2nd September 2020
As we enter September, it strikes me that we are now 2/3rd’s of the way through the year and about to enter the final 4 months of what has been a rather tumultuous 2020 to say the least.
The Importance of Data
It can’t be underestimated how important good data is. In the age of fake news, social media feeds and media speculation, it can be hard to know what to believe, but good, accurate data, can make it easier to see through the noise.
You will have to excuse the rather tenuous link here, but two things this week have made me reflect on the importance of data.
A Message From Matt – 29th June 2020
As it becomes clear that Coronavirus is not going away any time soon, we move from the initial panic phase of the crisis into the management and maintenance phase.
If we accept that the Coronavirus pandemic is going to be a marathon and not a sprint, you could use the analogy that we have started a little too fast, running the first 5 miles in record time, but that might come back to bite us later as we struggle to settle into a more consistent pace for the rest of what is still a very long race ahead.
A Message From Matt – 12th June 2020
I had planned to write a somewhat jubilant update today as stock markets around the world have recovered, in many cases to now show positive gains during 2020. Some markets have set new all time highs in the past few days! When you consider what the world has been through over the past few months, that really is quite extraordinary.
Your Post-Lockdown Life
As we enter the month of June, we find ourselves in an interesting dichotomy.
The UK is beginning to relax lockdown measures as other countries are having to reimpose them, given that they are seeing a resurgence in the virus.
A Message From Matt – 7th May 2020
So, it seems that this weekend will see at least some, subtle relaxation of the current lockdown measures and Boris Johnson’s announcement on Sunday will signal the start of the slow and gradual return to our ‘new normal’ – whatever that means.
I wanted to share some thoughts about what that might mean for markets and for us as a business.
Markets seem to have been fairly resilient thus far given the scale of the crisis we are dealing with. Investors who held their nerve early on in the crisis have now been rewarded with a significant recovery in investment values, although markets clearly still have a way to go to reach their previous highs.
The markets seem to be buoyed by the gradual lifting of restrictions across the world and let’s hope that this process can continue without causing a ‘second spike’ in cases.
I imagine this recovery will be one of winners and losers as different sectors of the economy get back to normal at a different pace. Of course some businesses are thriving in this environment and these companies generally won’t receive the same level of press attention compared to those who are sadly struggling, but just remember that they are out there, quietly working away, getting the economy back on its feet.
On the business front, negotiations are ongoing on our new office space and we have every intention of returning to the central London hub we love so much, as soon as it is safe and viable to do so.
With this said, we will be in no immediate rush given how well our current operation is working and so we will most likely adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach once restrictions are lifted and we will take client feedback into account to determine the timing of the full reopening of the office.
What the last few months have shown us is how generally successful online meetings can be and we will certainly retain this as an option for people who are not comfortable travelling into London in the first instance or for those who simply wish to save themselves a trip. We have also found that video conferencing is a great way to connect with clients to discuss those ‘ad hoc’ issues where there is some benefit in a face-to-face meeting, but perhaps which don’t justify a trip into London.
In the interim, we may also offer home visits as an alternative to a meeting in the office for a limited period where this is the preferred option.
I am delighted to report that Buckingham Gate has enjoyed a very good start to the year and I consider myself extremely lucky to be running a business that can operate relatively normally under these circumstances. I am incredibly proud of how the team have adapted to their new working environment and I am pleased to report that everyone is safe and well.
Finally, I am grateful for the way that you, our clients have responded to the current situation. We have received many messages of thanks for the support that the team have been providing to clients during this challenging time and these are gratefully received and appreciated.
As always, if you need any support, please do not hesitate to contact us.
