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Sponsored by: NTS Communications


£1m Covid package to support front-line workers


Helping the Hippodrome


2021 is a significant year for us - it marks 10 years since NTS Communications was established. In those 10 years we have


been delighted to work with many businesses across the region. Our expertise has helped them improve their customer service, leading to customer retention and increased profitability. One of our more well-


known clients is the Birmingham Hippodrome, who have been with us for most of those 10 years. In 2019 they asked us to help them on their digital transformation journey. The technology supporting the contact centre was not able to deliver the organisation’s strategy and vision. In order to get the right solution, we completed a full evaluation of the Hippodrome’s current and future requirements using our Review Clock process. The Hippodrome now has a


call centre for 35 people which can handle phone and email enquiries and web chat. The system means that their customers spend less time in a queue, and they have a better experience while booking their tickets. Staff members are more productive and engaged and have the ability to work flexibly and remotely. This was hugely important in March last year, when the customer service team was able to move to working from home with minimum disruption. This was a really successful


project and one we are very proud of. If your organisation needs to transform contact with your customers please get in touch.


Alan Pallett and Steve Ward Directors


NTS Communications


Promoting Growth Through Technology


Specialists in Unified Comms, Contact Centres, Cloud


T: 0345 450 0333 E: info@nts-comms.co.uk W: nts-comms.co.uk


18 CHAMBERLINK March 2021


Birmingham-based Wesleyan, which provides specialist financial services for doctors, dentists and teachers, has announced a £1m package to support front-line workers and others. The cash, to be shared by charities and community groups, will include £50,000 going towards supporting the mental health needs of critical workers, and a similar sum will be used to tackle what Wesleyan calls ‘digital poverty within schools’. The money for the latter will go


to the Titan Partnership, a Birmingham based education charity campaigning to end digital poverty, by ensuring that every child has access to online technology during the pandemic. This will be Wesleyan’s second donation to this cause in the last 12 months. Titan chief executive Carolyn Chapman-Lees said: “The coronavirus crisis is highlighting the invisible barrier to learning caused by digital poverty which is leaving many children behind. “Wesleyan’s support came at a


pivotal time as teachers and pupils were adapting to new ways of working. This has made a big difference to many children. I am delighted that, with Wesleyan’s ongoing support, we will continue to provide devices for children and families most in need.” Wesleyan said that 58 per cent


of doctors were currently suffering with symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety. Dr Pali Hungin former president


of the British Medical Association, said: “The support offered by Wesleyan could provide a valuable life-line for some colleagues to help them process what they are going through properly.”


Mario Mazzocchi: Support for the Covid heroes


“Latest figures show that one in


five healthcare workers will leave their positions after the pandemic due to their mental health.


‘We have listened to our customers and this package of support is intended to focus on areas in urgent need of help’


“Continued support for our


doctors and nurses on the front line is vital as the impact of dealing with Covid-19 for such a long period of time is having a devastating effect on their mental health.” The Wesleyan Wellbeing hub, an


online platform which offers free 24/7 health and wellbeing support, will also remain in place throughout


2021, for members and customers who need additional support. Wesleyan chief executive Mario


Mazzocchi said: “Many of our customers are on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic dealing with immense pressures and challenges every day. They are our covid heroes and Wesleyan will continue to look for more ways to support them. Our mutuality means we can invest in helping the professions we serve in other ways and as we enter our 180th year, it has never been more important to do so. “We have listened to our


customers and this package of support is intended to focus on areas in urgent need of help such as the mental health of our doctors and digital poverty within schools. We hope that the support we can offer will help to ease some of the pressures brought on by Covid-19.”


Eventmasters are back in business


A Birmingham-based hospitality specialist is resuming activities this month, despite the country still being in the grip of lockdown. Denise Sheasby, the managing director of


Eventmasters Limited, says that she believed that the time was right for the business, to open its doors once more, despite having been inactive since the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival a year ago. She admitted that while racing festivals such as


Cheltenham and the Grand National would not take place this year, Eventmasters would be able to play a part at other major sporting events this year. She said: “Summer will hopefully see a lifting of


restrictions and we hope to fulfil orders carried over from 2020 at Royal Ascot, cricket internationals, the Open, Henley, Wimbledon and many more, with of


course the caveat that it is safe to stage hospitality in a Covid secure environment. “Our main focus will be events to be staged in Q4


moving into next year, any clients booking events can do so on the basis of a no-quibble refund should the virus continue to disrupt the industry beyond Summer. “It is our belief that there will be an initial strong demand, I think we are all counting down the days to when normality returns.” Eventmasters, based in the Jewellery Quarter, has managed to avoid making any redundancies, despite having had to sit out the last year. Ms Sheasby said: “Whilst Covid is far from behind us,


with falling infection rates and rapid vaccine rollouts, we believe that March is the right time for us to start re-engaging with clients about future events.”


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