To clients & friends of Stewart Group,
We want to share some important updates about how we are protecting our clients, staff and business as New Zealand’s COVID-19 alert level has moved from Level 2 to 3 (as of 23 March) and will move to Alert Level 4 in 48 hours’ time.
We recognise the most valuable asset is our people and in the current environment our primary focus is on minimising the risk to them, both for their own well-being and so we can maintain our services at the level our clients are entitled to expect.
We are transitioning to a work-from-home approach effective from 24 March.
Stewart Group has implemented remote workplace plan out of caution and respect for the amplified messages about the need for social distancing, we are migrating to a firmwide work-from-home approach beginning Tuesday, 24th March.
Our advisory board and leadership team have been collaborating closely together to create orderly plans for this transition, and our staff are supported with robust IT capacity to work remotely as if they were in the office.
Effective 24th March, our offices in Hastings, Wellington and Wairarapa will be closed to clients indefinitely, but the staff will be working remotely, answering calls and emails. All meeting will be held virtually.
Additionally:
Our contact points remain the same
The financial and personal data of our clients is secure
We have the capacity to hold web-based meetings via Skype/Zoom and phone calls (in place of face-to-face) as an alternative
We have been paperless for years and have made strategic investments in technology that will allow us to continue to adhere to all security measures and provide excellent client service for which we are known.
At this point, we do not have a date by which we are planning to return to full capacity in-office operations. Stewart Group leadership will monitor the situation continually and communicate our plans as more information is known. Our COVID-19 focused communications will continue for as long as necessary.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to your primary Stewart Group contact or our toll-free number 0800 878 961 with questions, concerns, and ideas.
We are thankful to each one of you for your flexibility and your understanding of these precautionary guidelines we are establishing to keep us all safe.
Many thanks,
Stewart Group Team
Our Advice & Support team members can be contacted on the details below.
Advice Team:
Wealth Management Team – Hawke’s Bay:
Nick Stewart – nick@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4330
Don Stewart – don@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4331
Annette MacLeod – annette@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4336
Lizzie Hill – lizzie@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4335
Wealth Management Team – Wellington & Wairarapa:
Alan Burns – alan@stewartgroup.co.nz; 021 446 353
Mark Dobson – mark@stewartgroup.co.nz; 027 407 0470
Donna Burns – donna@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 379 5458
Risk Insurance Team:
Don Stewart – don@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4331
Sian Woodham – sian@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4332
Shoneen Schmitt – shoneen@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4337
KiwiSaver Team:
Jo Husband – jo@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4333
Geoff Wilson – geoff@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4334
Operations & Support Team:
Rory O’Neill, General Manager – rory@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4338
Melanie Jones, Executive Assistant – melanie@stewartgroup.co.nz; 0800 878 961
Francis Herridge, Accounts – accounts@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 7333
Kavya Vunnam, Marketing – kavya@stewartgroup.co.nz; 06 650 4339
