Business Continuity Management

How would your business cope in an emergency?

Emergencies are often beyond our control. They can happen at any time.  It pays to be prepared. If you are a small to medium business or voluntary organisation, business continuity planning is essential.

A recent survey tells us that 94% of managers who have had to put a plan to the test think that having a plan helped them reduce disruption to their business. Planning ahead will help your business continue to trade and survive during and after an emergency.

What is business continuity management?

No one wants to lose business, or their livelihood. Business continuity is a simple process which involves thinking ahead and planning for emergencies, even those you think could never happen to you! Whether it’s a fire, flood or power failure, writing a business continuity plan for your business can help you continue its critical functions as soon as possible during or after an incident.

So why plan?

Business continuity planning

• Will help protect your staff, livelihood, buildings, reputation and staff
• Will provide a plan at your fingertips if there is an emergency
• Will reduce financial loss
• Means businesses and organisations may be more willing to do business with you

Where do I start?

Southwark Council is able to help and here's how

• Follow Captain Continuity's 5 top tips (pdf 352kb) on business continuity and see how we can help you. 
  
  
• London Prepared has easy to follow advice and templates so that you can start planning.
  
  
• Southwark Council's business continuity template (pdf 133kb) will help you plan.
  
  
• Our leaflet (pdf 880kb) has more information on business continuity.
  
  
• 'What if it happened' is a radio show which follows how we would respond to an emergency and how you can plan as a business. 
  
  
• Look out for Southwark Council events and workshops on business continuity.
  
  
• Invite us to talk about business continuity at your business events. 

To view the documents above, you will need Adobe Reader.  

Other useful links

• UK Resilience for business continuity and emergency planning guidance and advice
• MI5 for security advice, including descriptions of potential current threats
• Planning for emergencies has information on what businesses, voluntary and community groups can do to prepare for emergencies
• Business Continuity Institute (BCI)
• The Continuity Forum established to support and develop a range of resources for continuity professionals in the business community.
• Expecting the Unexpected from London First provides clear advice on the concept of business continuity and importance of preparing and maintaining a plan for your workplace.
• Metropolitan Police Business Portal provides information and support for businesses.
• London First
  

Contact us

Contact us directly by completing an online enquiry form

Emergency planning and resilience team
Tel: 020 7525 7343
Fax: 020 7525 7295 
business.continuity@southwark.gov.uk
Great Guildford Business Square
Unit 322, 3rd floor
30 Great Guildford Street
London
SE1 0HS