New Zealand Companies focus on Travel Risk Management and Duty of Care

Business travel is a competitive advantage. With the ability to seek out new markets and establish new business relationships. However, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure all employees are provided a safe work environment, including during business travel. All business travel should be considered a threat, until proven otherwise. These were just some of the issues addressed at the recent New Zealand Security Conference 2012 in Auckland. 

“There are 3 areas of investment during business travel, the cost of travel, the value of the person conducting the travel and the potential business value as a result of the travel” according to Tony Ridley, and international travel risk management and duty of care professional. “Unfortunately, few business adequately and accurately evaluate business travel in this way, resulting in significant losses or single sector cost containment habits” he concluded. 

The recent New Zealand Security Conference 2012 was attended by many of New Zealand’s top companies and service providers. Topics ranged from the use of traditional CCTV equipment to innovations in brian sciences and optimised output for executives. 

Overall, the conference was well attended and very well received with plans for an even bigger international event in 2013 to support and develop the New Zealand security corporate and commercial markets. 

Tony Ridley, Director for Products and Services at MRD, a premium business consulting firm, noted “the area of travel risk management has been exclusively centred around security and high risk issues for some time.”. “Only now are companies and travel management professionals starting to realise the broader issues that contribute to business travel productivity, efficiency and safety” he went on to explain. “Duty of Care has also be come a topical area of concern for many businesses but far too many do not actually understand the legal requirements and supporting legislation associated to Duty of Care before rushing out solutions or other placebo services” Tony determined. 

The session that Tony Ridley lead, covered off on the legislation and required practices for companies to address when pursuing Duty of Care and travel risk management strategies. He also provided an overview of the business travel space. Covering areas such as legal requirements, buyers intent, service provider shortfalls, commercial opportunity, health and safety along with information products to serve business travel. 

About MRD

MRD is a leading, premium international consulting company providing tailored business solutions to clients in a wide range of environments. Services include:

• Business intelligence
• Travel Risk Management
• Project Management
• Security Services
• Risk Management
• Business Resilience
• Safety Systems
• Reputation Management
• Crisis Management

Contact Information

Tony Ridley

Director Products and Services

MRD Consultancy

Contact via E-mail