Michael Tory - Ondra

Changing of the Guard

Planning for a post-Covid environment

With the arrival of Covid and the resulting lockdowns, old habits and practices were put to the sword. The working week and commute, unaltered in its monotony for decades (other than the eye-watering cost of travel), have been radically transformed with the rise of WFH (work from home) and Zoom. It’s a revolution that has been overdue in many sectors since the roll out of fast internet, for the most part, and portable devices.

One wonders, therefore, why other aspects of one’s professional and economic set-up should not be similarly overhauled at this crucial point in time. The remaining months of this year, as the nights close in, present a great opportunity to clear house and shake up these integral parts of one’s own stability and long-term strategy against the backdrop of a radically changing and uncertain world.

Ondra, the boutique financial advisory firm, is the consummate success story across the investment, banking, pensions and private equity arenas. They present the perfect balance as markets remain turbulent and the world seems to bounce from one existential crisis to another, realised and potential. In retaining their independence as a client-focused shop providing strategic advice and consultancy services they present a worry-free approach to pensions, private equity and investment. This conflict-free business model has gone from strength to strength since its inception during the troubled waters of 2008.

As clients tire of the hard sell from run-of-the-mill investment bankers who live and die on their success fees Ondra has, in contrast, seen an uptick in business. Evidently, companies in the new environment would do well to emulate companies like Ondra, with customers clearly want a shift in priorities, engagement and responsibility. Outwardly many companies project the idea that they are “doing  things differently” and “constantly innovating”. The reality is often very different, not just the tangible aspects of the business, such as commuting or becoming environmentally responsible, but far more importantly the shift in mentality towards valuing their customers over their shareholders. With Ondra there is no drama or lip-service, just simple and effective advice throughout and top-end market analysis and expertise that has long confirmed the firm as a small but important market leader in its field. As the old structures creak and groan with time, Ondra adapts and evolves.