Celebrating & Supporting Hertfordshire Small Businesses during and post lockdown

Ashbourne Insurance has remained ‘open for business’ during the lockdown period with all staff working from home supporting hundreds of customers with insurance queries and new policy requirements. In addition, significant time has been spent sharing advice and information on social media channels as it is recognised the ‘new normal’ will see every business needing an enhanced online presence. All these adaptations to Ashbourne’s business have been made possible by supporting, and from the support of, local suppliers.

The Directors and staff have been showing appreciation and love not just for keyworkers, the NHS and staff in many different ways; but also meaningfully choosing to support local businesses by ordering goods and services offered by companies based in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. Approximately 98% of all suppliers to Ashbourne Insurance and family members in the business throughout the UK Covid19 pandemi

Photo Caption: Sarah Smits, Finance Director , Ashbourne Insurance  with print celebrating Hoddesdon purchased through Brothership Studio (Hertford) with all profits going to local charity CHEXS who are working extra hard to help vulnerable families at this time.

Sarah Smits, Finance Director said, “Supporting the local economy and businesses during Lockdown has been a priority for us and our family. Ashbourne Insurance is a third generation family business and we value the support of ‘buy local’ campaigns so have involved ourselves with the Love Hoddesdon BID, local networking zoom groups, buying essential household items and PPE in readiness for back to work from independent retailers, some of whom have quickly shifted their businesses to online ordering and delivering direct. This is reflected, for example, in how Ashbourne were able to pivot quickly to home working as we engaged an excellent local IT supplier to equip all staff with unique direct dial numbers to seamlessly connect to mobiles and get access to vital work files from home. Our thanks are always to the keyworkers, NHS, and essential services but we also salute and want to recognise all the small businesses in Hertfordshire who have gone above and beyond to help keep Ashbourne operational. Thank you! Post lockdown, we ask that the local Herts businesses community also commit to ‘keeping the business in Hertfordshire’ and give Ashbourne the opportunity to quote for their business and home insurances.”

Briege Leahy, Chief Executive of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce commented, “The lockdown and economic effects of the Covid19 pandemic has changed many ways in which we operate our businesses. Many thanks to Herts Chamber Patron’s Ashbourne Insurance who have been working throughout this period answering queries, offering guidance and support to organisations of all sizes to make sure they are insured appropriately. They have set at outstanding example of supporting the local economy and businesses. Thank you for leading the way.”

Independent insurance broker Ashbourne based in Hoddesdon, have been supporting and been supported by a large range of service and product suppliers, some include:

• Love Hoddesdon Bid
• The Bread Bin
• Veg on your Step
• Datum
• Herts Chamber of Commerce
• Wine2Trade
• Capital Floor & Hygiene
• J Finch & Associates
• Cariad Marketing
• BOBW Ltd
• Barclays Bank
• BNI
• WIBN
• Mobile Stationery & Print Centre
• Ladybird Voice Solutions Ltd
• DSCO Chartered Accountants
• Brothership Studios
• Foxholes Farm Shop
• Brown & Tiney
• Shepherds Estate Agents
• Carter & George Physiotherapy Practise
• HB Accountants

Multi award-winning, Ashbourne Insurance have been offering a wide range of business and personal insurance for over 40 years along with a claims advisory service. It is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).