GRITIT to discuss findings of research survey into the impact of winter weather on UK businesses
GRITIT, the UK's leading winter gritting and snow clearance firm, has a significant presence at Facilities Show 2014 (17-19 June 2014, ExCeL London) on stand Q1220, as it continues to establish itself as the leading authority on winter risk management. Raising awareness of the financial and physical risks of adverse weather conditions, GRITIT will engage and inform visitors both at its stand and throughout the event's theatre programme.
Today, Tuesday 17 June at 15:15 in the BIFM CPD Theatre, GRITIT's Commercial Director Steve Webb, is hosting a panel debate looking at whether a risk free workspace is a real possibility. Also joining this session are Jon Lawrence, Practice Leader of Risk Solutions at QBE European Operations, Steve Dance, founding Managing Partner of RiskCentric (BIFM member) and Chris MacDonald, Managing Director at Propertyserve.
Meanwhile at 11:15am on Wednesday 18 June in the Keynote Theatre, GRITIT's Brand Ambassador for Education, established Polar Explorer Mark Wood, will discuss 'Managing Change – from the Artic to the Office'. Attendees will hear exclusive insights into how Mark handles and minimises risks in extreme conditions, which includes raising awareness of the importance of robust preparation and planning to overcome the challenges presented by volatile environments.
Visitors to the GRITIT stand will also be able to receive the 'Guide to Winter Preparation', which was developed in association with the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) and, in response to the results of a first-of-its-kind research survey into the impact of winter on UK businesses. Aimed at those responsible for an organisation's winter maintenance, the guide outlines all the key findings while providing essential tips and actions to help visitors implement a more resilient winter maintenance plan.
Among the key findings it was discovered that 78% of respondents* believe UK businesses fail to prepare adequately for unpredictable winter weather. Even with severe weather being identified as the top cause of disruption for businesses for three years running[1], alarmingly, the research also highlighted that 41% of staff responsible for gritting or snow clearance in-house receive no training whatsoever to respond to the effects of adverse weather, such as ice and snow. Despite this, a staggering 85% of industry professionals do not intend to change their winter risk management plans.
Nikki Singh-Barmi, Managing Director, GRITIT, elaborates on what these findings mean for UK businesses: "Mid-June may seem like an unusual time to be thinking about winter risk management, however, it's important that business leaders plan ahead to ensure that the winter months receive an allocation of the annual budget, rather than leaving it to the last minute and placing the business and employees at unnecessary risk. The flooding across the UK earlier this year is proof that our weather is becoming more extreme and being prepared to respond to it will help cut costs in the longer term."
Nikki continues: "The findings of the research are very significant and will strike a chord with both facilities managers and business owners across the UK. As such, we have incorporated the findings into everything we are doing at Facilities Show 2014, including the winter preparation guide. Our observation is that, at a cultural level, businesses are failing to realise the importance of taking a proactive approach to winter maintenance; preferring instead to 'wait and see' and manage the effects in a reactive way. This is costing businesses dearly and as the trend is moving towards more extreme weather, businesses really need to take urgent steps to address this. We can help through our knowledge, services and support, and visitors attending the show this week will find out how."