At M&G Investments, our main priority as we respond to COVID-19 is the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and continuing to deliver the highest level of service to our clients and customers.
We have detailed Business Continuity Plans in place to deal with situations like those presented by COVID-19, and our workforce is well prepared. M&G adopted flexible working practices in most locations a year ago, so staff – including fund managers and dealers - have the operational connectivity and equipment necessary to work from home and in most cases are well used to doing so already. At present, the vast majority of our people are working as usual, but from home, and all critical services are functioning well.
We have asked our people to cease all but absolutely essential business travel, both internationally and between our offices. In the majority of cases, face to face meetings are being replaced by video or audio conference.
All our funds continue to be actively managed, and fund communications and reporting is continuing as normal, except face-to-face meetings.
To allow clients access to fund managers and their investment views, given the travel and meeting restrictions in most locations, we have introduced a new schedule of regular webcasts with mutual fund managers.
We are also introducing an enhanced level of investment updates by email and on our websites.
We are closely monitoring the latest available information from multiple sources including WHO, CDC, ECDC, NHC and DXY, local media reports and government guidance. We are adhering to all regulations and guidelines from government authorities related to containment of the virus.
Our priority is to protect the wellbeing of our workforce and minimise the contagion risk, whilst continuing to operate our business and provide clients and customers with the service they need.
M&G plc's current Business Continuity Management arrangements.