TheMagazineofBellwoodPrestbury

SECURITY & DEPLOYMENT SPECIAL PREPARINGFORANOVERSEASASSIGNMENT

Dr.CharlieEasmonlooksatpreparingbothmentallyandphysicallyforanoverseasassignmentandwhattodowhenthingsdon’tgoquiteaccordingtoplan.SECURITYISSUESFACINGEXPATRIATES

OursecurityadvisorSteveMcCannoffersaninsightintotheissuesfacingexpatriatesworkingabroadandhowtodealwiththeincreasingdangersfacingdailylifeawayfromhome.INTERNATIONALMEDICALINSURANCE

Areyougettingthesupportandserviceyoudeserve?Welookattheadditionalservicesyoucannowexpectfromyourpolicy.

January2016

Asanemployeryouhaveadutyofcarewhensendingstaffoverseas.Weaskwhetheryourorganisationisunwittinglyputtingyouremployeesatriskwhentheytravelabroadandwhatyoushouldbedoing.SteveMcCann,BellwoodPrestbury’ssecurityadviserexplains.

Fromleafygreenstodarkchocolate,welist18foodspackedwithantioxidants,vitaminsandmineralsthathavebeenlinkedtolongevity.

Internationalmedicalinsuranceforglobalcontractorsthatcoversmorethanjusttreatmentcosts.Offeringgreatvalueandcomprehensivecoverbenefits,thiscouldbetheplanthatyouarelookingfor.

Thismonth’sfive-minuteinterviewspeakswithBellwoodPrestburyDirectorAlanThompsonabouthislifeatworkandawayfromtheoffice.

Areyouremployeesreadytomoveabroad?TheimportanceofbeingbothmentallyandphysicallyfitcannotbeunderestimatedwritesDr.CharlieEasmon.

January2016

SECURITY&DEPLOYMENTEDITION

WinterEdition

what’s inside this issue WelcometothewintereditionofExpatriaMagazine,thequarterlydigitalpublicationfromBellwoodPrestbury,aleadingindependentglobalinsurancespecialistforcomplexinternational,globalmedicalandhigh-riskinsurancesolutionsworldwide.Thisspecialeditionhighlightstheissuesfacingemployersandtheirstaffwhoarelivingandworkinginthemoredifficultpartsoftheworldwhichrequiremorecomplexcover.BellwoodPrestbury’ssecurityexpertSteveMcCannlooksattherisksthatmanyemployersareunwittinglyputtingtheirstaff

throughwhenworkingoverseasandofferssomepracticaladviceastowhattodotohelpmitigatethedangers.ThedangerofkidnaphasbecomeanincreasingproblemformanycompaniesandinthisissuePeterBellwoodoutlineshisthoughtsontheinsuranceprotectionthatcanbearranged.Dr.CharlieEasmon,BellwoodPrestbury’smedicalexpert,considerstheissuesfacingexpatriatesandtheimportanceofpre-deploymentscreeningcoveringnotonlyphysicalbutmentalhealth.ThepastquarterhasbeenabusyoneforBellwoodPrestbury.Oneofthehighlightsbeingthelaunchofourdedicatedinternationalmedicalinsuranceplanforglobalcontractors.Ifyouhaven’talreadyheardaboutthisnewandinnovativeplandesignedforbothindividualandgroups,wetakeabrieflookatthescheme.Expatriamagazinewillbebackinthesummer.Subscribingiscompletelyfreeatinfo@bellwoodprestbury.com.

AboutourcontributorsSteveMcCannBellwoodPrestbury’sappointedsecurityadviserAsthefounderofSaferEdge,Stevehasbeenworkingwithhumanitariananddevelopmentclients,forovertenyears,oftenoperatinginsomeofthemostchallengingareasoftheworld.Steveworkswithclientstohelpthemruntheirprogrammesandprojectsmoreeffectivelyandsafely,nomatterwhattheenvironment.Hisroleistoplanstrategyforthegrowingnumberoforganisationsandtoleadclientrelationsanddevelopment.Dr.CharlieEasmonBellwoodPrestbury’sappointedmedicaladviserCharlie’srouteintotravelmedicineandpublichealthwasthroughmedicalevacuations,workingabroadandwiththeHospitalforTropicalDiseases(HTD)travelclinic.HehasenjoyedseveralyearsontheboardoftheBritishTravelHealthAssociationandwasoneofthefirstUKmedicalpractitionerstoobtaintheInternationalCertificateinTravelHealth(CTH)fromtheInternationalSocietyofTravelHealth.

are you protecting your staff?

AnemployerhasbeenorderedtopayhundredsofthousandsincompensationafteracourtawardeddamagestoastaffmemberwhowaskidnappedinKenya.Thecourtruledthattheemployerwasguiltyofgrossnegligenceandhadfailedinitsdutyofcaretoitsstaff.Theemployeesufferedgunshotwoundsandwasheldbymilitiamenforfourdays;hisKenyandriverwaskilled.Hisemployernowfacesabillof4.4mkrone($640,000)pluscourtcosts-andislikelytohavesufferedsignificantdamagetoitsreputation.Whatcouldhavebeendonetoavoidtheincident?Couldyourorganisationbeunwittinglyputtingstaffatsimilarriskwhentheytravel?Andwhatstepsshouldyoutaketomakesurethejobgetsdoneassafelyaspossible?SteveMcCann,explains.

Weallhavearelationshipwithrisk:it’scomplicated.Weassociateriskwithreward,excitement,boldnessandadventure,asmuchaswithexposure,vulnerability,lossandtragedy.Assessingriskcanbejustascomplicated-andmanagingitmoreevenmoreso.Butthat’snoreasontobrushtheissueunderthecarpet.Whenorganisationsfailtoengagewithriskthroughaprocessofgoodsecurityplanning,poorqualitydecisionsareoftenmade.Theconsequencescanbesubstantial.Fortheemployee,theyincludedphysicalandpsychologicalpain.Fororganisations,theconsequencescanbelegal,financialandreputational.Andatthesametime,nobodywantsacultureof‘youcan’tdothat’.Weallhaveworktodo–andsometimesthatworkisrisky.Thetrickistotakeagrown-upattitudetoassessing,understandingandmanagingthespecificrisksthatfallunderyour“dutyofcare”.

Anyorganisationowesadutyofcaretoitsemployees,contractors,sub-contractorsandotherswhomaybeaffectedbyitsactionsortheactionsofitsemployees,contractorsandsub-contractors.Thisappliesattheirofficesandotherplacesofwork,andanywhereelsewhereemployeesorcontractors/sub-contractorsareworkingonbehalfoftheorganisation-outinthefieldoraclient’ssite,forexample.InEnglishlaw,anemployermustprovide:1. Asafeplaceofwork,includingaccessand

egress2. Safeplantandequipment3. Asafesystemofwork4. Safeandcompetentfellowemployees5. Adequatelevelsofsupervision,

informationandtraining.Inessence,youareexpectedtodemonstratethegoodmanagementofsafety,throughacommonsenseapproachinawaythatassesseshazardsandensuresthatappropriatesafeguardsareputinplace.

a duty of care

AnEnablingRiskManagementSolutionMyconsultancy,SaferEdge,typicallyworkswithclientswhosendtheirstaffoverseasto“challenging”placessuchasSouthSudan,Nigeria,Mali,DRC,andYemen.Thebigrisksintheseplacesareobvious–butthesameprinciplescanbeappliedclosertohome,too.Werecommendasimplethree-stepapproachtocreatingandmaintaininganenablingriskmanagementsystem:

1. SystemAudit&Review-reviewofrelevantdocumentation,anddiscussionswithindividualsandgroupmeetingswithkeymanagement.Thiswillrevealstrengthsinthecurrentwaysofworking,identifywhereexistingsystemsmaybelacking,prioritisegapsanddeterminewhoisowedwhatlevelofdutyofcare.

2. Creating/AdaptingtheSystem-

formulatingasolutionthatbuildson,andfullyintegratesinto,yourexistingpracticesandprocedures.Thesolutionelementsarelikelytocoversafetyandsecuritypolicy,collationofrelevantinformation,provisionofananalyticalframeworktomakeinformeddecisions,abilitytorecordanddisseminatedecisionsandguidance,standardproceduresforeverydayoperations/activities,businesscontinuityplanning,developmentofcrisismanagementcapacity,insurancearrangements,andanalysisofemployeetrainingrequirements.

3. OngoingSupport–nosystemcan

maintainitselfindefinitely:maintenanceandconsistentattentiontodetailareimportant.Requiredinputsmayinclude:

• Advisory:securityreviews,riskassessments,pre-deploymentcontextbriefings,facilitiesreviews,budgetingguidance,logisticssupport(accommodation,venues,transport),incident/crisismanagementadvice

• OnTheGround:arrivalbriefings,unarmedcloseprotection,emergencylocalcontacts,traumamedics,safetyandsecuritymanagers,partnerorganisationsupport

• CapacityBuilding:generalorbespokefacetofacetraining,liveonlinetraining,coaching/mentoring.

Ultimately,thisapproachwillensureyouachieveafunctioningriskmanagementsystem,adaptableasyourorganisationgrows,thatenablesproactiveengagementwithriskmanagement,andthatreducesyourlegal,financialandreputationalvulnerability.

EnablingRiskManagementinPracticeAlegalcompanyadoptedacompleteintegratedandinclusiveriskmanagementsolutiontosupportandprotecttheirstaffoverathree-yearperiodofworkintheNigerDeltaareaofNigeria.Thisfocusedonahighprofilecase,requiringtraveltoandaroundremotelocations.Thesecuritymanagementplanandin-countrylogisticsupport,basedoninclusivesecurityprinciples,facilitatedtravelaroundremotelocationsinsupportofthehighprofile,sensitivecase.Theprojectremainedincidentfree,waslowcostandhighlyeffective.Severalorganisations,includingagrowingandinternationallyactiveMonitoringandEvaluationorganisationaswellasalargemulti-nationalDevelopmentorganisation,haverecentlyadoptedamorepro-active,enablingriskmanagementapproach.

Asaresult,theyhavebeenableto:• Providethecontentforcompellingand

credibleriskmanagementelementstofulfildutyofcarecriteriainprojectbids

• EnsuretheboardofdirectorscanmakemoreinformedGo/NoGodecisionsforinternationalcontracts

• Ensurethatsecurityconsiderationsareproperlybudgetedinproposalsaccordingto‘minimumeffectivedose’principles–enoughtostaycompetitiveandenoughtoensurethattheprojectdoesnotlosemoneyduetounforeseencosts

• Understandacountrycontextandassociatedrisks,andsodevelopcontext-appropriateprocedurestominimisethoserisks

• Provideemployeesandconsultantswithpre-departurebriefings,in-countrybriefings,andanyrequiredtraining

• Easilylocatesuitableaccommodationandotherlogisticsrequirements

• Developcapacitywithintheorganisationtomanagepotentialcrisesinordertoreducethepersonal,financialandreputationalimpactfacedbytheorganization.

…andfornon-workersyoualsohavearesponsibility

Itcanbedifficultytoworkoutwhetheryouhaveadutyofcareresponsibilitytonon-staffwithwhomyouwork,soaskyourselfthefollowingquestions:

1. whethertheyareemployedbyanotherorganisation,andifsowhatcapacitythatorganisationhas?

2. whethertheyaretravellingoutsideoftheirnormalsphereofoperations?3. whetherthetraveltoadestinationqualifiesashighorextremerisk?4. ifthetravellerisexperienced,andifso,isthatexperienceinlinewiththeproposedtrip?5. ifthetravellerhasanyvulnerabilities,ingeneralorspecific,totheproposedtrip?6. ifyourcompanyororganisationismakinganyofthearrangementsforthetrip,isthe

travellerrelyingonyourcompanyforaspectsofthetravel?7. whatdoestheindividualretaincontrolof,andwhathasyourcompanygotcontrolof?

Do you have a “duty of care” to your employees? Intortlaw,adutyofcareisalegalobligationwhichisimposedonanindividualrequiringadherencetoastandardofreasonablecarewhileperforminganyactsthatcouldforeseeablyharmothers.Itisthefirstelementthatmustbeestablishedtoproceedwithanactioninnegligence.Theclaimantmustbeabletoshowadutyofcareimposedbylawwhichthedefendanthasbreached.Inturn,breachingadutymaysubjectanindividualtoliability.Thedutyof caremaybe imposedbyoperationof law between individualswithno current directrelationship(familialorcontractualorotherwise),buteventuallybecomerelatedinsomemanner,asdefinedbycommonlaw(meaningcaselaw).Dutyofcaremaybeconsideredaformalisationofthesocialcontract,theimplicitresponsibilitiesheldbyindividualstowardsotherswithinsociety.Itisnotarequirementthatadutyofcarebedefinedbylaw,thoughitwilloftendevelopthroughthejurisprudenceofcommonlaw.

Tofindoutmore,contactusatinfo@bellwoodprestbury.comand

we’llhelpyoutoprotectyouremployeesandyourbusiness.

forbusinesstravelinsurance

calluson+44(0)1242584558(

From leafy greens to dark chocolate Soyouwanttoliveto100?Researchshowsyourdietplaysahugeroleinhowmanybirthdaycandlesyou’llblowout.Thefollowing18foodsarepackedwithantioxidants,vitaminsandmineralsthathavebeenlinkedtolongevity.

Broccoli:itcontainsimmune-boostingcompounds,andmayalsohelpwardoffstomachulcersandevencancer.Salmon:includingomega-3-richfish(andotherslikeit,suchastuna,mackerel,andsardines)asaregularpartofyourdietmayreduceyourriskofheartdiseaseandpreventagainstinflammation.Water:stayinghydratedreducesyourriskforbloodclots.Italsohelpsyoufeelyoungerbykeepingenergylevelshigh.

Berries:strawberries,blueberries,raspberries—allarebite-sizedantioxidantpowerhousesthatstaveofflife-threateningdiseases.Garlic:itmaynotdoyourbreathanyfavours,butthephytochemicalsingarlicmayhalttheformationofcarcinogeniccompoundsinthebody.Oliveoil:themonounsaturatedfatsinoliveoilhavebeenlinkedtobrainandhearthealth,aswellascancerprevention.Plus,dermatologistssaywomenwhofollowolive-oil-richdietshavelessskindamageandfewerwrinkles.

Bokchoy:inaVanderbiltUniversitystudy,Chinesebreastcancersurvivorswithdietshighincruciferousveggieslikebokchoyhadalowerriskofdeathorrecurrence.Avocado:ifyourcholesterolnumberscouldusesomehelp,listenup:eatingmoreavocadomayhelploweryourbadLDLcholesterolwhilealsoraisingyourgoodHDLcholesterol.Tomato:there’snobettersourcefortheantioxidantlycopenethanrosy-redtomatoes.

Beans:yourgo-tochoiceforplant-basedprotein,beansarealsohighinfibre,lowinfat,andpackedwithmorenutrientspergramthananyotherfood.Wholegrains:inastudyofmorethan40,000women,thosewhoatelotsofgrainshada31%lowerriskofdyingfromcausesotherthancancerorheartdiseasewhencomparedwithwomenwhohadfewornowholegrainsintheirdiet.Besuretocheckouttheotherhealthbenefitsofwholegrains.Redwine:researchonthehealthbenefitsofwineandotheralcoholismixed,buthere’swhatwedoknow:asmallamountofredwineat

theendofthedaymayreducestress,whichisgoodforoverallhealth.Leafygreens:inastudy,middle-agedpeoplewhoateacupofcookedgreensdailywerehalfaslikelytodiewithin4yearsasthosewhoatenoleafygreens.Tea:greenteahasbeenshowntolowerriskofheartdiseaseandseveraltypesofcancer.Coffee:yes,yourmorningcaffeinecravingmaybelengtheningyourlife,onecupatatime.ResearchassociatesdrinkingcoffeewithalowerriskforAlzheimer’sandParkinson’s,anda2012

studyfoundthatcoffeedrinkerstendtolivelonger.Darkchocolate:a1999Harvardstudyof8,000mendiscoveredthatthosewhoatechocolateasmanyasthreetimesamonthlivedayearlongerthanthosewhodidn’t.Nuts:withheart-healthyfats,protein,fibre,vitaminsandminerals,nutsmayjustbethehealthiestsnackyoucaneat.Thatsaid,notallnutsarecreatedequal,sochoosewisely.Redcabbage:thisvibrantlycolouredveggieboostsbrainhealthandguardsagainstcancer.

international medical insurance

for your employees worldwide

Getting the right international medical insurance cover is not as straight forward as you thought. Formanyexpatsandglobalcontractors,oneofthemainreasonsforbuyinginternationalmedicalinsuranceisdowntothequalityofmedicalcareofferedinthecountrytowhichtheywillbemoving.Localmedicalfacilitiesmaybedifficulttoaccessasaforeignerorsimplysubstandardandsomethingthatyouwouldnotwishtorelyon.Withinternationalprivatemedicalinsuranceyouremployeeswillhavetheadvantageofbeingabletoaccessthebesthospitalsanddoctorsavailableinthecountrywheretheymaybeworkingand,ifnecessary,tosourcetreatmentoutsideoftheirhostcountry.Inshort,you’repayingthebillsoyoucandecidewhathappens.Importantly,internationalmedicalinsurancepremiumsareusuallycalculatedonthelevelofcoveryouchooseforyouremployees,wheretheywillbelivingandworking,ratherthanontheclaimsthatmayhavemadeinthepast.Ofcourseformanypeople,itisalsoeasiertobeabletocommunicatewithaninternationalinsurancecompanybecausetheyoffersupportinmanylanguages.Somethingwhenyouremployeesareunwellandstressedwillbeagreatcomfort.Choosing an International Health Insurance Provider Sohavingdecidedthatyouneedinternationalmedicalinsurance,whatistherightoptionforyourbusinessandhowshouldyougoaboutchoosinganinsurer?Firstofall,theworldofinternationalmedicalinsurancecanbeaminefieldifyou’renotfamiliarwiththewiderangeofproductsavailablefromawholehostofinsurers.Addtothisthecomplicationofunderstandingthelocalregulationsintroducedbymanycountrieswhichcanaffectwhatcoveryouremployeesmayneed,meansthatit’simportanttogetgood,clear,impartialadvice.Theinternetisofcourseagreatsourceofinformation,butyouwillfinditbettertospeakwithaspecialistbrokerorintermediarywhowillbeabletogiveyouclearadvice.

AtBellwoodPrestbury,wehavebuiltupawealthofknowledgeoverthepast15yearsworkingwithawideselectionoftheverybestinternationalmedicalinsurancecompaniesfromaroundtheworld.Wewillguideyouthroughthisminefield.Andasourcostsarecoveredbytheinsurancecompanythatyouchoose,ouradviceandsupportdoesn’tcostyouathing.Creating the right package Thereareofcoursemanydifferentfactorstoconsiderwhenchoosingthemedicalinsuranceplanthatbestfitsyourbusinessandyouremployees.Youwillneedtoconsiderwhereyouremployeesareworkingtodeterminethebestareaofcover–thosecountriesyoumightwishyouremployeestoreceivetreatment.Internationalhealthinsurerstendtodividetheworldintodistinctareas–usuallymade

upoftwoorthreeregions,Europe,worldwideexcludingtheUSAandworldwide,althoughtherecanbemanymore.Onceyouhavedecidedonwhichareaworks,youwillprobablyhavevariouspremiumlevelstochoosefrombasedonhowcomprehensiveyouwishyourcoverbenefitstobe.Naturallythisallcomesataprice,soyouneedtoaskyourselfwhetheryou’dratherhavelowerpremiumsormorecomprehensivebenefits.Therewilloftenbetheoptiontoincorporateadeductibleintoyourcorporatepolicy,anywherebetween$50and$5,000dependingupontheplanyouchoose,inexchangeforalowerpremium.It’ssomethingwe’reallusedtowithmotorandhomeinsurance,soitssomethingtoconsiderwhenitcomestomedicalinsurance.Asidefromthecorebenefitsprovidedbyyourinsurerwhichnormallyincorporateshospitalaccommodationandtreatment,specialistfeesandothertreatmentreceivedaspartofastayinhospital,youwillalsobeabletobuy-inadditionalbenefits.Thisgivesyoutheoptiontocustomisecoveraccordinglytowhatyouremployeesneedandmightinclude:

GeneralPractitionerfees

Out-patientSpecialistFees

Physiotherapy

Dentaltreatment

MaternityCare

Wellnessandcheck-ups

Prescriptionmedicines

CancerandChronicCare

EmergencyMedicalEvacuationcover

Advantages of International Health Insurance Perhapsmostimportantly,internationalmedicalinsuranceisnotjustaboutpayingthebills.Insurershavetheexperienceofdealingwithmedicalissuesacrosstheworldandcanprovideexpertadviceandsupport.Theyhave24/7helpcentresemployingmultilingualstaff,includingmedicalprofessionalswhomyoucanspeakwithifyouremployeeshavequestionsaboutthecaretheyarereceivingintheirhostcountry.Theyunderstandwhatit’sliketobelivingandworkinginanunfamiliarcountryandhavethelocalcontactsonthegroundtoensurethatwhenyouremployeesneedhelp,thereisalwayssomeoneonhandtohelpsmooththeprocessofgettingtherighttreatment,attherighttime,attherightplace.Please don’t forget to read the small print Ofcourseitgoeswithoutsayingthataswithallinsuranceplans,itisimportanttoreadthefineprintofyourpolicy.Makesureyouknowinadvancewhatwillandwon’tbecovered.Hereareafewquestionstokeepinmind:• Willyouremployeesneedtopayupfront

formedicalcareandthenbereimbursedafterwards,orwilltheirhealthinsurancecompanypaythemedicalinstitutiondirectly?

• Isthepolicyyouarebuyingapprovedbytheauthoritiesofthecountryyouremployeeswillbevisitingiftheyneedtogetavisa?

• Willexistingmedicalconditionsbecovered?

• Asidefromtheinsurancepartofyourpolicy,what‘extras’doesyourinsurancecompanyoffer?

• Whatisn’tcovered?

Whenyouneedinternationalmedicalinsurancethatprovides

localsupport,speaktooneofourspecialistconsultants

K I D N A P &

Whilstresponsiblecompanieswouldneverdreamofsendingtheiremployeesonabusinesstriporshort-termassignmentoverseaswithouthavingsuitablebusinesstravelinsurance,manyarefailingtoensurethattheyprovidetheirpersonnelwithadequatepre-deploymenteducationandawarenesstrainingpriortotheirdeparture.

Somearealsounawareoftheriskofkidnapandthecostsinvolvedshouldthisunfortunatelyhappenwrites Peter Bellwood.

Asideoftheransom,thecostofakidnapcrisismanagementexpertisintheregionof$2,000adayplusexpenses.Intheeventofakidnap,withoneormultipleexpertsengaged,thecostscanquicklyescalate.Ifitturnsouttobealongcaptivity,thecostscanbehugeandrunintothemillionsoftencripplingthebusinessintheprocess.Whilstinsurancedoesnotremovetherisk,itisatriedandtestedwayofbothaccessingthenecessaryexpertiseandmanagingyourexposuretounknowncosts.

Mostbusinessescitetheiremployeesastheirmostimportantasset,thereforeensuringtheyarefittotravel,suitablybriefedandwell

trainedbeforeatripshouldbeofthehighestimportanceforanycaringemployer.

Furthermore,withlitigationbecomingmorecommonplace,businessescannotaffordtoignoretheir‘dutyofcare’totheiremployees.

Aswellasacourtcase,adversepublicitycanbedirectedatthebusiness.

Sowhatdoesatypicalkidnap&ransompolicycover?

• Securitybriefingfromexpertspriortodepartureandaccesstothelatestsecurityintelligence,24/7,365.

• Unlimitedfundingforsecurityexpertstohelprespondtoanythreatsorexperiencedmediatorsintheeventofanincident.Thisincludesmakingthemoneydropifnecessary.

• Assistancewithmanagingpublicrelations.

• Thereimbursementofaransompaymentuptothepolicylimit.

• Alumpsumintheeventofdeathordismemberment.

• Coverforlossofearningsduringcaptivityandrehabilitation.

• Emergencyadviceandassistanceduetopoliticalunrest,includingrelocationcostsandevacuationifnecessary.

KeepingYourPeopleSafer

Weallknowthatpreventionisbetterthancurewhenitcomestoone’shealthorwellbeing.Therefore,priortoyourpersonnelheadingoff,ensuringyouhaveasuitablyrobustandwelldocumentedawarenessandeducationprogrammeisoftheutmostimportance.

WhilstthehighestrisksareoftenassociatedwiththoseworkinginSouthAmericaorotherdangerous,remoteorhigh-riskcountrieslikeAfghanistan,Iraq,NigeriaandSomalia,thethreatofransomisescalatingfromoccasionalincidentstoplannedactivitiesfromwell-organisedcriminalgangsandterroristgroups.

Whenselectingyourinsurer,whilstcostisalwaysamajorconsideration,priceandpricealoneshouldnotbethekeydriverinyourdecisionmakingprocess.

Nowadaysthereareplentyofinsurersofferingkidnapinsurancebutaretheyuptothejob?Howlonghavetheybeenprovidingthistypeofcover?Whoistheappointedcrisismanagementfirmanddotheyhavetheexperiencetomanageakidnapsituationwhereyou’reoperating?

Rememberfastinterventionsfromexperiencednegotiatorsarecriticaltogoodoutcomes.

Tofindoutmoreabouthowyoucanprotectyouremployees,speaktooneofourspecialistsecurityconsultantsbycalling+44(0)1242584558ore-mailinfo@bellwoodprestbury.com.

pre-deployment screening for

EXPATRIATES Sendinganemployeeabroadisexpensiveandevenmoresowhenthepartnerandchildrenareinvolvedaswell.Whethermaleorfemalethepartnerisusuallyknownasthe‘trailingspouse’.Thejobofdeploymentusuallyfallsonhumanresourcesorglobalmobilitymanagers.Thecostsofdeploymentincludetravel,newaccommodation,relocationexpensesandsometimeslanguagetrainingandculturalsupport.ExpertsattheForumforExpatriateManagementhaveestimatedcostscouldbewellover$150,000.Thefurtherafieldorthelessdevelopedthecountrythenthehigherthecosts.Extraexpensesmayincludeprivateschoolingforchildreneitherbackinthehomedestinationorinaninternationalschool.Clearlyitisimportanttosendtherightpersontotherightlocationattherighttime,butwhatifallthisfallsapartbecausethepersonorafamilymemberhasanundetectedorundeclaredphysicalormentalhealthproblem?Thecostsofpre-deploymentscreeningcanrangeintheprivatesectorfromafewhundredtoafewthousandpoundsandthiscanbeseentooffsetthecostofgettingthingswrong.

Physicalhealth&mentalhealthBeforesomeonegoesabroad,generalpublichealthdatacantellyoualotaboutyouremployeesandfamiliesbasedonageandgender.Thechartaboveillustratesatypicalworkforceof5000people.Theadvantagesoffindingthisoutbeforedeploymentareself-evidentbutthemainonesinclude:

1) Checkingthattheemployeeorfamilymemberisreceivingoptimalcareandthatthiscanbemaintainedoverseas

2) Reviewingwhetherlocalfacilitiescancopeorareappropriateforthecondition3) Reviewingwhethertherelevantcondition(s)arecoveredbyyourinsurance4) Reviewingmedicalevacuationplansfromthesiteofdeploymenttothebestlocalmedical

facilities.

AnengineeringfirmhadanemployeeworkinginChina.Themaninhis50’swasobese,hadhighbloodpressure,diabetesandraisedcholesterol.Hisjobwasphysicallytiringandhehadahighriskofaheartattack,astrokeoranyofthemanycomplicationsofdiabetes.Anyofthesecouldhavemadehimasafetyrisk.

Ascreeningprocessforthismanwouldhaveidentifiedalltheattendanthealthrisksandsuggestedstrategiestoreducefurtherrisks.Hecanlooseweightifmotivatedtodoso.Hecanexerciseathome.Hecanchangehislifestyleintermsofincreasingexercise,reducingfoodintakeandcuttingbackonalcohol.Hisdiabetescanbeoptimallymanaged.Acardiologistcanassesshimand,ifnecessaryhecanhavepreventativeproceduresbeforehehasthatimminentheartattack.AfemaleemployeeandhertrailingspousehaveasonwithADHDandAutismSpectrumDisorder(ASD).

SpecialistandnormalschoolsintheUKhavefoundithardtomanagethechild’sdisruptivebehaviour.HenowhastoattendanewschoolinanewcountrywhereEnglishisnotthefirstlanguage.Hemaythriveinthenewenvironmentbuttheoddsareagainstit.

Thestressesofhisproblemsimpactontheemployeeandherworkperformanceandcausestrainsinherrelationshipwithherpartner.Ifidentifiedpre-deployment,expertadvicecanbesoughttomitigatetherisks,increaseflexibilityoftheemployee’sworkloadandconsiderationgiventoextrafamilialsupport.SamtheITexpertissenttoNigeria.HeisadvisedthatheneedstogettheYellowFevervaccine,whichhedoes.Nooneadviseshimaboutmalaria.

Samdiesofmalaria.Hiswidowsuesthecompanyandsettlesoutofcourt.Intoday’sclimateherlawyermayinvoketheCorporateManslaughterandCorporateHomicideAct2007,forwhichthereisunlimitedliability.HeremployerwillarguethattheygavehimadviceinrespectofYellowFeverbuttheprosecutionwillarguethatbasedontheBolam/Bolithprincipleshedidnothavethebestadvicethatwascurrentlyavailable.Heshouldhavehadapropertravelhealthconsultationconcerningallrisksofdisease,allvaccinesandallprophylaxisandprotectivemeasuresrequiredforhisdestination.

Susanhadseveredepression10yearsago.Lastyearshewassenthomefromheroverseaspostafteranincidentfuelledbyalcoholwhereshehadinsultedacolleague’swifeatadiplomaticfunction.ShehashadsixweeksinaprivaterehabilitationunitandherGeneralPractitionernowregardsherasfittoreturntoacountryinAfricawithlimitedmentalhealthresources.

Atscreening,Susan’sfullmentalhealthhistorywouldbereviewed.Itwouldbeascertainedthatdepressionisa‘chronic’diseasewithknownopportunitiesforrelapses.Hercurrenttreatmentandmedicationwouldbereviewed.Anassessmentcouldbemadeastowhetherherpsychotropicdrugswouldbeallowedincountryandavailable.ShewouldbeadvisedtoavoidMefloquineashermalariaprophylaxis.Shemayhaveon-goingissuewithalcoholismanddespiteherstoryofcurrentfastidiousnessthebloodtestsmightindicateotherwise.AsensibleriskplancouldbegiventoheremployerastowhethertodeploySusanatallorifsohowtobestmanageandsupportherinhernewdestination.

Soremember...Travelabroadhasnovelhealthrisks.ManycountrieshavelessdevelopedmedicalfacilitiesthantheUK.MedicalevacuationsfromlocationAtobetterlocationBareexpensiveandfraughtwithhealthandsafetyrisks.Notallemployeeswillbe100%physicallyandmentallyhealthybuttheycanbescreenedpre-deploymenttoassesswhathealthrisktheyhaveandwhatcanbemodifiedormitigatedpre-andpost-deployment.Inmyprofessionalopinionandexperiencethecostsofthescreeningareminimalcomparedtothecostsofgettingdeploymentwrongonhealthgrounds.

Dr.CharlieEasmon,MBBSMRCPMScPublicHealthDTM&HDOccMedCTHFRSPHisChiefMedicalOfficerandPresidentoftheInternationalAssociationofPhysiciansfortheOverseasServices.

travel advice for the

Lone Traveller “I’moftenaskedabouttravellingalone,andhowcanagenciesprovidesecurityforlonefemaletravellers.Whilstit’savalidquestion,mencanalsobevulnerable.Thethreatsaredifferentbutcanleaveeithervulnerable.Knowingthecontextandunderstandingyourprofileagainsttheriskwillgoalongwaytohelpingtravellersmakeinformedchoices.Gettingasmuchlocalinformationaspossiblebeforetravellingandmonitoringthesituation.Yourlocalcolleaguesareanexcellentsourceofinformationbutensurethatyoucrossreferenceitagainstothersources.Knowwhenitissafetositinabaraloneandwhenit’snot.Manypeoplefeeluncomfortablewheneatingoutaloneandwillarmthemselveswithabook,tabletorentertainmentofsomesort,asitcanfendoffquestionsandunwantedattention.Justmakesureyoulookup,andaroundyou.Don’tdisappearintoyourownworldandbeoblivioustotheworld.Thinkaboutwhoknowswhereyouare.Istheresomeonelocallyyoucancheckinwith?Itmightbeanothercompany,oryourhostagencybackhome.Cantheyreactappropriatelyifyouneedthem?Howareyoutrackinglocalinformation?Areyouusinglocalmedia,talkingtodriversandyourin-countrycontactareallexcellentsourcesofinformation.Gettinglocalinformationisvitalandcannotbeunderrated.”

AnnapurnaChowdhuryisaconsultanttrainerandsecurityprofessionalatSaferEdge.

Medical insurance created for global contractors Createdexclusivelyforcontractorswhetherasindividualsoraspartofagroupscheme,theinternationalcontractors’healthplanoffersarangeoftailoredmedicalinsurancesolutionsforpeopleworkingintheOil&Gas,Energy,Telecommunications,TechnologyandAssociatedsectors.Bybringingtogetherhighqualitypersonalservice,achoiceofcomprehensivecoverbenefitsandaffordablepremiums,theprogrammerecognisestheuniquedemandsandrequirementsoftheglobalcontractorbypackagingeachelementunderasingleproposition.KeyBenefits:

• Choiceofcomprehensiveproductswithhighbenefitlimits• Clear,relevantinformation,detailingwhatisandisn’tcovered• Freedomtoreceivetreatmentanywherewithintheinsured’schosen

areaofcover• Fullcoverforhospitaltreatmentinaprivateroom• Fullcoverforsurgery• Fullcoverforcancertreatment• Coverfororgantransplants• Emergencymedicalevacuationandcompassionatecover• Crisismanagementassistance• Globalbloodtransfusionservice• Straightforwardprocessesandquickturnaroundtimesfromjoiningto

claimingTofindoutmore,callustodayon+44(0)1242584558orvisitourdedicatedwebsiteat:

www.bellwoodprestbury.com/pmicontractors

Grab-a-Bag

“WhenI’mtravellingIliketocarryagrabbagwhichcontainseverythingIneedforafewdaysincaseof...well,anything!Everythinginmybagneedstobemulti-useandmulti-functionbutthatarecompactandeasytocarry.Constant Companion. This is a list of theessential phone numbers I need formy trip.EverytimeItravelIcheckwhatnumbersIneedandupdateit.ItjustmeansifIlosemyphoneorbreakit,Istillhaveallthosekeynumbersatmyfingertips.‘Handyphone’ or SimpleMobile Handset. Insomelocationsit’snotagoodideatopullouta smartphone so a simple, cheap mobilephone, is always a good investment. Thesimpler ones tend to be robust, cheap toreplace, less conspicuous and I can I insert alocalSIMcard,inmostlocations.

Copiesofmypassportandvisa.I’mneversurewhenI landhowmanycopiesofmypassportwillbeneeded.Insomelocationsitcanbehardto find a photocopier, so I carry a couple of

copiesofmypassportwithme. I alsoemail copiesofallmykeydocumentsto a stand-alone email account.Allowing me to open that emailwithoutaccesstomywholelife.A large scarf. I always carry a large100% cotton scarf wherever I travel.They are so handy, and double up aspillows,protectionfromsun,makeanoutfit culturally more appropriate, abedsheet–theusesareendless.FirstAidKit.Ialwayscarryasmallfirstaidkit. I’vedoneacoupleofFirstAidcourses,andknowhowtouseallofmyequipment. On some trips I carry adental kit or a sharps kit, in others astandardUKfirstaidkitwillbefine.ItalldependsuponwhereI’mgoing”.

AnnapurnaChowdhuryisaconsultanttrainerandsecurityprofessionalatSaferEdge.

thetruecostofsending

anemployeeabroadCostprojectionsareanextremelyimportantpartofplanningforassignmentsanddependinguponthejob,therearevaryingtaxandimmigrationcostsandregulations,aswellasotherassignmentexpensestoconsider.Additionalcoststhatmustbeconsideredwhenanemployeegoesabroadincludeimmigration,taxplanning,relocationforthefamilyandhouseholdgoods,homesearch,temporaryliving,host-countryhousing,globalallowancesandtaxgross-upsforanytaxespaidonbehalfoftheemployee.Planningwellforanytypeofassignmentwillprovideasmoothendofyeartaxcomplianceprocessandsignificantcostsavingsforthecompany.Ingeneraltermsitcostsabout2.5to3timesanemployee’sbasesalarytosendthemona

expatriateassignment.Soforsomeoneonasalaryof$150k,itwouldcostthebusinessbetween$360Kand$440Kbasedonthefollowingassumptions:

1. Thecompanyoperateataxequalisationprogrammeinordertopickupanyexcesstaxcostsabovewhattheemployeehavepaidontheirhomeemploymentincomehadtheynotgoneontheassignment

2. Afullsuiteofallowancesispaidtotheemployee,thiscouldcompriseofmobilitypremiums,hardshipallowances,CostofLivingAllowancesetc

3. Thecompanypayforhost

accommodation,hostschooling,hosttransportation,homeleavetraveletcforthedurationoftheassignment.

Thefive-minuteinterview GettingtoknowwhatmakesBellwoodPrestburyuniqueasaleadingglobalspecialistinsuranceintermediaryisverymuchdowntoit’speopleandwhyiscontinuallystandsoutfromthecrowd.Inthisissue,weaskAlanThompson,aDirectoratthecompany,abouthisbackgroundandlifeoutsideofthecompany.

Wherewereyouborn,wheredidyoustudyandwheredoyoulivenow?

IwasborninGloucesterandthisiswhereIstilllivetoday.Iattendedoneofthecity’sgrammarschoolsforboysuntilIenteredthebusinessworldandjoinedEagleStarLifeAssuranceCompanyin1987asatraineeaccountsclerk.

HowdidyoucometojoinBellwoodPrestbury?

Afterenjoyingmorethantwentyyearsworkinginlargefinancialservicescompanies,includingEagleStar,ZurichInternationalandThreadneedleInvestments,Ifanciedachangeanddecidedto‘gocontracting’asaself-employedbusinessconsultant.OneofmyfirstmajorprojectswasatBellwoodPrestburytohelpthefirmoverhaultheirbackofficesystemsandfinance.

ImetwithPeterBellwoodwhoexplainedthebusinessanditsfutureplans.ThetypeofservicesBellwoodPrestburywereofferingwerereallyuniqueandexcitingandnotthenormintheinsuranceindustry.Iwasswayedbythis,acceptedthecontractandstartedinJanuary2009foraninitialthree-monthperiod.Asthebusinessdeveloped,Iwasprettymuchspendingallmytimethere.SevenyearslaterIamstillhereandamnowadirector.

WhatdoyouthinkmakesBellwoodPrestburydifferenttootherinsuranceintermediaries?

Ithinkourvastlyexperiencedteammakeahugedifferencetowhatweareabletooffercustomers-theseniorpeopleinthebusinesseachhaveover25yearsofinsuranceexperience.Themajorityofushavespentyearslearningourtradeinlargeinsuranceandcorporateorganisations,bringinganexcellentmixofskillsandexpertise.

Asabusiness,wecontinuallystrivefortheverybestforourclients.Wetrulybelieveintreatingourcustomerscorrectlyandfairly-buildingpartnershipsandtrustisattheheartofeverythingwedo.Weareinacompetitiveindustry,andasasmallbusinesswereallyvalueourcustomers.

Technologyplaysabigpartinourindustry.Howdoesithelpyouinyourroletoday?

Weusetechnologywheneverwecantoimproveefficiencies.Asyouwouldexpect,weareverydependentonourITsystems.WehavearobustandstableITplatformtoensure‘systemdowntime’iskepttoanabsoluteminimum.Evena15-minutelossofourITsystemscanbeamajorinconvenience.Toimprovetheresilienceofoursystemswehaveinvestedincloudcomputingtechnology.

Cloudcomputinghasalsoallowedustoavoidheftyupfronthardwarecostsandimprovedmanageabilitywithlessmaintenance.Thecloudenablesusaccesskeysystemsbothonandoffsiteviamobiledevicesandtablets.Thishasprovedasuccessfulstrategyandwecurrentlyachieveextremelyhighlevelsofsystemavailability.

WhatmajorchangeshaveyouseenatBellwoodPrestburysinceyoujoinedtheCompany?

Duringmytimeatthebusiness,wehavemovedpremisestoalargerheadofficebuildinginagreatcentrallocationinCheltenham,haveundergoneacorporaterebrand(twice)andinvestedheavilyintechnologyandsystems.

Wehavealsograduallybecomemore‘corporate’bydrawingonourrespectivebackgroundsandintroducingstandardsandprincipleswithintheorganisation,alwayswiththeaimtoimproveourclientserviceoffering.ThisapproachhasbeenvalidatedbyusbecomingaLloyd’sCoverholderandISO9001accredited.

Ifirmlybelieveweareverywellpositionedwithexcellentcredentialsandagood

reputationwithourkeypartnersatLloyd’sandotherinternationalinsurers.

Ifyoucoulddoanyotherjobintheworldotherthantheonethatyoudonow,whatwoulditbe?

That’satrickyone.IsupposeafootballmanagerorperhapsacoachatLiverpoolFC–bothwouldbechallengingandrewarding.Thatsaid,Iamintheperfectjob.Afterworkinginlargecompanies,contractingandnowasmallerbusiness,Ilovethechallengesthatspecialistbusinessessuchasoursfaceinaglobalisedworld.Ifeelweaddrealvaluewithdecadesworthofexperiencethatsimplyisn’teasytocomeby.

WhilstIhaveforasplitsecondconsideredallmannerofideas,mostofitreallywas‘pieinthesky’asmyskills,knowledgeandexpertiselayinfinancialservices,financeandadministrationsoIamdestinedtostaywhereIam!

Whatareyoumostproudofbothpersonallyandprofessionally?

ProfessionallyIamproudofourcompanyandhowmuchwehavedevelopedsincePeterfoundedthecompanysome15yearsago,andIhopeevenmoresosinceIjoinedin2009.AlthoughIachievedmuchsuccessinmyprevious‘big-corporate’careeritdoesnotcomparetothepersonalsatisfactiongainedfromachievingsuccessinabusinessinwhichyouhavefargreaterinvolvementandpersonalinterest.

Ifyoucouldhavealongrelaxinglunchwithanyonealivetodayorfromthepast,whowoulditbeandwhy?

Iadmireanycompanythatpridesitselfonitsqualityandthatprovidesagreatproductandservice.Ialsorespectsuccessfulentrepreneurs,soputtingthetwotogetherIwouldprobablychooseApplefounder,SteveJobs.WeallknowhowsuccessfulApplehasbecome,butitwasSteveJobsthatstartedeverythingfromhiskitchentableinthe1970s.JobswaspersonallyinstrumentalinbringingtotheworldtheiMac,theiPod,theiPhoneandtheiPad–allproductsthathavesoldintheirmillionsworldwide.

Outsideoftheoffice,whatdoyoudowhenyoumanagetogetsomefreetime?

Ienjoymostsports,whetherI’mtakingpartorwatching.Itrytokeepfitbyrunningandtheoccasionalvisittothegym.WheneverpossibleIwatchGloucesterplayrugbyandtryandgettoAnfieldtwoorthreetimesaseasontowatchLiverpoolplay.I’vealsorecentlystartedtowatchlocalfootballatCheltenhamTown.Iamalsoahorseracingfanandenjoystudyingtheforminabidtobeatthebookies.WeareluckytohaveCheltenhamRacecourseonourdoorstepandIattendasmanyracemeetingsaspossibleandalwayslookforwardtotheannualCheltenhamFestivalinMarcheachyear.

forconfidentialandprofessionaladvice:

calluson+44(0)1242584558(

GlobalReachPersonalServiceBellwoodPrestbury’sexperiencedconsultantsregularlyflyaroundtheglobetodirectlyliaisewithclients.BellwoodPrestburyanalyseyourrequirementsandspendtimetounderstandyourbusiness.BellwoodPrestburyidentify,manageandmonitortheinsuranceneedsofbusinessesacrosstheglobe,helpingtoreducetheadministrationheadacheandproactivelymanageemployeebenefitpackages.BellwoodPrestburyspecialiseininsuranceforhigh-riskoccupations,companiesoperatinginhigh-riskregionsandcomplexornon-standardcover.

BellwoodPrestburyareleadingglobalinsurancespecialists,arranginghigh-riskandcomplexcoverforcompaniesandorganisationsthroughouttheworld.BellwoodPrestburyareindependentlyowned,soanyadvicewegiveisentirelyfreefrombias.BellwoodPrestbury’soperationsareaccreditedbytheBritishAssessmentBureautoISO9001.BellwoodPrestburyareauthorisedandregulatedintheUKbytheFinancialConductAuthority(FCA).

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