Mid Canterbury business owners looking for professional insights into how they can best prepare for life after the COVID-19 lockdown are being invited to engage with a series of free webinars hosted by trusted local advisors.

​The Ashburton District Council has developed the series to share thought-provoking information and ideas with businesses as they look to re-establish and reopen when alert levels begin easing in coming weeks.

Guest speakers include Kim Hamill, a financial advisor and founder of Nimba; Kirsty Naish from Sidekick Chartered Accountants; Michelle Parkin, Forsyth Barr Investment Services; and Leandra Fitzgibbon and Nathan Mills from Genesis Private Equity.

Council Chief Executive, Hamish Riach says as the district starts moving to the next stages of the COVID-19 response, many local businesses will be focused on rebuilding and maintaining their cash flows and jobs. This transition could be assisted with the professional advice and ideas being generously shared by local industry experts.

"There is no textbook for what we are facing as a nation and community. It's hoped that sharing these insights will help businesses to adjust to a 'new normal' and perhaps find new opportunities."

Two webinars have already taken place and have been uploaded to the Council's YouTube channel for people to watch at a time that suits them.

• ​Mental Wellbeing Chat - Pup Chamberlain & Connie Quigley, Lives Worth Living Project
• Stay at Home and Get Online - Kim Hamill, Nimba

Upcoming webinars:

• ​Cashflow, Continuity and Kiwisaver - Kirsty Naish, Sidekick Chartered Accountants & Michelle Parkin, Forsyth Barr Investment Services (Wednesday 22 April)
• Employment and Health & Safety Law Updates - Jane Argyle-Reed, Argyle Welsh Finnigan & Jane Fowles, Compliance Partners (Friday 24 April)
• Thriving And Surviving In Governance And Raising Capital - Leandra Fitzgibbon & Nathan Mills, Genesis Private Equity (Tuesday 28 April)
• All Things Digital Marketing - Ashleigh Rushton, Rushton Marketing, Sara Stephens, Pixel & Ink & Tracy Kruger, House of Jam​ (Thursday 30 April)

People are encouraged to register for the webinars, as there is a limit to how many can be a part of the live talks. To register, ​head to the Council's Facebook page and follow the registration link in the event details.