In the midst of a global pandemic, the necessity for swift adaptation and strategic planning has never been more critical. This was exemplified by the rapid mobilisation efforts behind the establishment of the NHS Nightingale Hospitals across the UK. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Mark Harrison, a project manager at Apogee, to discuss the pivotal role his team played in this extraordinary undertaking and the vital insights it offers for business continuity planning.
When the call for the new Nightingale hospital at the ExCel Centre in London came through, it was a clear test of Apogee’s business continuity strategy. Mark recalled, “The moment we received the requirements, there was a palpable urgency. We realised that we were not just supporting a project; we were part of a national effort to save lives.”
Within 24 hours, Apogee’s team had swung into action, delivering and installing essential print and document technology. “It was a remarkable feat,” Mark said, visibly proud of his colleagues’ efforts. “We have a long-standing relationship with Barts NHS Trust, and that experience was invaluable. It meant we had a proven model to lean on, but the scale and speed required were unprecedented.”
The crux of the operation, as Mark shared, lay in the seamless collaboration between various departments—logistics, workshop, service, project, and account management. “The ability to coalesce rapidly and effectively was grounded in our business continuity plan. We had to decide whether to focus on disaster recovery or high availability.”
This decision-making process is a critical first step for any organisation crafting a business continuity plan. Disaster recovery focuses on restoring operations after a disruption, while high availability ensures that essential services remain operational during a crisis. “For us, it was clear that high availability was the priority,” Mark explained. “The NHS couldn’t afford downtime, so maintaining continuous service was non-negotiable.”
As Apogee moved to support additional Nightingale hospitals, including the one in Birmingham, the lessons from the ExCel Centre continued to shape their approach. “Each site had its unique challenges, but the fundamental principles of our business continuity plan remained the same,” Mark noted. “We had to ensure that our people on the ground were equipped and ready to operate under stringent safety protocols.”
Feedback from hospitals across the nation has been overwhelmingly positive. Mark shared some of the gratitude expressed by NHS staff, “They’ve been incredibly appreciative of our service engineers and account managers. Speed and reliability have been our cornerstones, and it’s been heartening to hear that we are meeting those expectations.”
Reflecting on the broader implications for businesses, Mark emphasised the importance of adaptability and foresight. “This pandemic has shown us that we need to be prepared for the unexpected. A robust business continuity plan isn’t just about having a document in place; it’s about fostering a culture that can pivot and perform under pressure.”
He also stressed the significance of prioritising critical services in business continuity planning. “In times of crisis, you have to know which balls you can’t drop. For us, supporting the NHS and emergency services was paramount. It guided our resource allocation and decision-making.”
As our conversation drew to a close, Mark expressed immense pride in his team’s contributions and the broader effort to combat the pandemic. “It’s been a collective achievement, not just within Apogee, but across industries and the NHS. We’ve all had to step up, and it’s been inspiring to see how people have responded.”
The experience of Apogee in supporting the NHS Nightingale Hospitals offers valuable lessons for any organisation looking to strengthen its business continuity plan. As Mark aptly put it, “It’s about being ready, being resilient, and above all, being committed to the mission at hand.”
In these challenging times, the ability to adapt and maintain critical operations can mean the difference between success and failure. As businesses navigate an uncertain future, the insights from Apogee’s experience serve as a guiding beacon for effective business continuity planning.
Sparrow Knight
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