The true horror of what was unfolding in China struck during what should have been the happiest time of year. New Year in China is normally a time of celebration and hope, a time spent away from work with family and friends.

This year it was spent watching the emerging crisis coming out of Wuhan and within days everybody across China was in a state of confusion, caught in what looked like a potentially life-and-death situation.

As a family man, my first concern was for those nearest and dearest to me but, as a business leader, it was impossible to ignore the possible consequences of an enforced lockdown: how that would affect the Chinese economy, our business and my colleagues in the Shanghai studio.

The reality then – and it remains true today – is that China, or any economy for that matter, cannot stand still for a quarter. The immediate consequences would be disastrous and the road to recovery unimaginable. In China it was estimated that 85% of small and medium-sized businesses – two-thirds of the economy – would not survive three months with no income.

While the outbreak was still in its relative infancy the Chinese government announced we could no longer enter our studios

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