The recent extension of the UK government's trade credit reinsurance scheme was not an unexpected development, given the tough trading environment for businesses during the pandemic period of 2020-2021. UK Treasury initiatives send a strong message of support to protect business and position them for post COVID-19 recovery.

I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. The year has got off to a difficult, but not entirely unexpected, start. Many countries are back in lockdown due to the pandemic, but with the vaccine rollout on the horizon, there is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. In the UK, the post-Brexit landscape has changed how people and goods move between the UK and mainland Europe. This will undoubtedly be keeping those of you dealing with supply chains busy as you navigate the new ways of working and ensure business continuity.

The risk of employee burn-out during the pandemic is one of the biggest risks facing the charity sector, according to a new report from Ecclesiastical Insurance. Research by the insurer for its second Charity Risk Barometer also found loss of funding remains one of the biggest threats to the sector, with the pandemic significantly amplifying financial concerns.

Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM) has launched new terrorism insurance coverage in the German market.

AXA has announced plans to extend its flexible working strategy to all of its operations, implementing a hybrid way of working, combining remote work and office presence by offering employees the option to work remotely two days a week.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is continuing to count the cost of an ongoing ransomware attack that it believes is likely to be by international serious and organised cyber-crime groups. The agency also confirmed the theft of 1.2 GB of data and the support available to staff and affected partners, while seeking to reassure the public that regulatory, monitoring, flood forecasting and warning services are adapting and continuing to operate.

Agility has acquired US-based provider of business continuity software and consultancy services, RecoveryPlanner. In addition to tools for business continuity planning, incident management and risk management, the RecoveryPlanner team, including CEO Monica Goldstein and the company’s business continuity planners will now be part of the Agility team and offering.

As we begin to look ahead to 2021 with a renewed sense of optimism given the recent vaccination rollout, it is also worth exploring the measures that companies can take to ensure their employees’ well-being in the new year. Never before has the health and well-being of employees played such a central part in defining how employers approach the range of benefits they offer staff. The pandemic has made companies reassess their priorities.

The deadline for entries is 26 March 2021.

Without a doubt, 2020 was a difficult year for many organisations, including managed service providers and small businesses – especially as it relates to cyber security. In a recent survey, MSPs reported that certain industries saw a rise in attacks during the pandemic – healthcare (59%), finance/insurance (50%), and government (45%). Although ransomware remains the most common malware threat, viruses, adware, spyware, and remote access trojans completed the top five security risks.

The winners of this year’s Business Continuity Awards were announced last night via a special online broadcast.

The UK has signed trade continuity agreements with Canada, Singapore, Vietnam, Norway and Iceland.

The continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, or a new public health crisis are the top risk concerns for Indian companies, according to a report published by US risk management society, RIMS and Marsh.

Insurance has not provided the support organisations need for their business interruption throughout the coronavirus pandemic, something the EU should help address to avert future crises, according to the Federation of European Risk Management Associations.