SMMT COVID-19 Update 1
Tuesday 17 March, 2020
In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation and in line with the UK government’s recommended course of action, SMMT has decided, as of today, to severely restrict the use of its London office, and has implemented a home working policy for staff until 17 April. We will keep the situation beyond that date under review. All staff can continue to be contacted as normal on their landlines and mobile phones and via email.
The wellbeing of our members, associates and employees is our utmost priority so we will also be moving all of our meetings to phone and online conference with immediate effect, while our staff will join external meetings via phone, rather than in person, until further notice. We will be in touch with members and others to share call details as required.
Further, all scheduled SMMT events are under review and decisions on any necessary cancellations or postponements will follow government advice and instruction, with any announcements made to allow as much notice as possible.
In all other respects, SMMT business continues as usual. Our immediate priority is to try to ensure business continuity and secure critical support for all UK automotive companies, which may face severe and sudden impacts. We remain committed to representing the industry in its entirety to meet this and other multiple ongoing challenges – and, as ever, we will be unrelenting in our engagement with government and other organisations and partners both in the UK and abroad.
We know that this is an extremely challenging and distressing time for everyone in the sector; all businesses and workers are facing huge uncertainty and concern over the future. We share that concern and will do everything in our power to support and advise our members as best we can. With this in mind, we would encourage you to inform us of any challenges and needs specific to your business as they emerge by emailing memberservices@smmt.co.uk
We will continue to monitor the situation and will keep in close communication with you over the days, weeks and months ahead. Should you have any questions or concerns about this or any other issue, please don’t hesitate to call or email your regular SMMT contacts. You can also get in touch with us via the relevant department here.
