Weathering the storm

As part of a new series of blogs from throughout the business, we’ll be bringing you stories from our people doing their bit right across the operation on how things have changed during the ongoing crisis.

Today, we hear from head of investigations, Stewart Hill.

‘It seems an age since the coronavirus pandemic crept up on us and began affecting how each of us live and work. Some reports have suggested that a viral pandemic should have been expected, however, this unprecedented situation looks like it’s going to be the greatest challenge of our generation.

‘During this period, it is important for us as senior managers to display leadership, and to support colleagues as we change the way we work and navigate our way through this very difficult period.

‘Executive board members and senior leaders in the business are all fully committed with keeping the business functioning and there is an expectation and reliance upon us to keep the business moving the best we can and where possible, bring a calming influence on our people.

‘Like everybody else, my team has been affected. Half the team are either self-isolating or have underlying health conditions, which impact their ability to carry out business as usual. For those that are fully deployable, they have changed their ways of working to manage their existing workloads and deal with the new challenges they are going to face.

‘As sad as it may sound, criminals take advantage of situations when businesses or individuals are at their most vulnerable. My role is to manage the threat to the business and do so in the most proportionate and balanced way, to minimize disruption to the operation.

‘In January, I arranged to work from Stansted Airport Hub as a contingency if bad weather prevented travel to my office in London. Little did I know that two months later, I would be working from this same location for another reason entirely.

‘Stansted Airport Hub is a night time operation, so this affords me the space and facilities I need to continue to work safely. The arrival of the night shift is a constant reminder to me that business continues. Consequently, my team and I are committed to providing you with the support you need to keep the business moving.

‘During my previous career as a senior detective in the Metropolitan Police Service, I witnessed how traumatic events affect individuals and communities. However, once the dust settles and the situation is managed, I have also seen how some good can evolve from the most difficult situations.

‘I have seen cohesion grow within fractured communities and new and innovative ways of doing business develop during the turmoil of such events. I am sure that this will be the case for our business. Finally, and most importantly, please keep safe and take care of yourselves and your colleagues.’