We remain fully functional across all our groups and teams globally, and continue to provide all normal services to support our clients through a challenging and complex period. In formulating responses to new developments, our responsibilities are to protect and support staff, clients and the partners with whom we work, as well as ensuring the uninterrupted operation of our activities. We are confident that we have taken, and will continue to take, necessary action, and that we have appropriate infrastructure in place to maintain the level of service our clients expect and need.

Further to the UK government’s recent update we wanted to provide some further thoughts on our approach to our working environment.  We are starting to see some easing of restrictions, however we consider it important to be cautious and selective in how we transition our own controls. 

The below points summarise our current positioning and expectations.

• We have operated very effectively remotely in all locations. Internal and external communication is unchanged and ‘business as usual’ has suffered minimal disruption.  For our day-to-day business activities we do not need to re-open any of our offices.
• Together with other lockdown easing rules the government hopes to grow economic activity but not rates of infection or death and therefore avoid overwhelming the NHS. Over time further changes will be introduced with the same goals which in turn will improve the financial and personal wellbeing of the country. Decisions to adopt changes are planned for 1 June and 4 July.  We will therefore keep our offices closed until the 1 June.
• We are preparing to reopen our offices at the start of June for a very limited number of people to either undertake specific work assignments.
• The policy applies to all our locations, but may diverge if local advice differs. In Singapore, a government announcement is expected on 1 June. In Miami formal guidance is not yet available.
• The policy applies to all our locations, but may diverge if local advice differs.

We have established a number of workstreams to further ensure we are able to continue to operate effectively. These include:

Remote working – we have in place facilities for all staff to work from home.

Internal RWC communication – all staff have recorded messaging and conference calling facilities to ensure they can be kept informed and coordinated at all times.

Client meetings and meetings with third party organisations – meetings are being conducted using conference and video call facilities to minimise disruption to our normal business activities.

Trading counterparties – our trading desks continue to monitor the performance of all significant counterparties to ensure they are continuing to operate effectively. So far no issues have been encountered.

Critical / outsource suppliers – similar to trading counterparties we are monitoring these organisations. This includes the custodians and administrators for all RWC funds.

Please do not hesitate to contact us on invest@rwcpartners.com. You can also email or call your RWC contacts directly.

Tord Stallvik

Head of Business Development, RWC Partners