The SimplyBiz Group will now deliver a hybrid event programme, in line with feedback from its membership.

The group received over 5,000 registrations to its virtual events during May and June and feedback from attendees has shown that 80% of advisers would now like a mixture of face-to-face and virtual events going forward.

The group will aim to go back on the road in September, government guidelines permitting, to deliver its flagship Learning and Development Events and Investment Forums at 21 venues across the UK. Live streams of the physical events will also be broadcast on the group’s virtual platform.

The virtual-only sessions will include a series of ESG-focussed events, further training and knowledge workshops and training on the group’s end-to-end advice system, Centra. This will be in addition to SimplyBiz Group’s regular Advice Show broadcasts.

A similar approach will be taken by the group on a number of its services, including compliance visits, which have been delivered virtually during lockdown and have received a 9.8 satisfaction score from members.

Richard Ardron, marketing director of the SimplyBiz Group, said: “When social distancing rules first came into effect, we moved very quickly to ensure that our members could continue to receive the high-quality and expansive learning and development programme to which they are accustomed, and we have been overwhelmed by the engagement through our new virtual platform.

“Whilst this innovative way of delivering events was a great way to meet both advisers’ demands and to tackle restrictions at the time, it was always our intention to look to offer more events this way alongside our more traditional delivery.

“With advisers now telling us that they would like a mix of event type (virtual and physical), we will be offering a hybrid programme, ensuring we offer choice and breadth of learning to suit advisers, whilst meeting wider requirements around safety for all.”