Our latest Work & Life interview with Kerry Ferguson, Executive Assistant at Child & Child was originally published in PA Life Club member pages in the Winter 2025 issue of the magazine. The interviews feature active members of the Club who share experiences about their role as an EA, and what they enjoys doing when not working…
Kerry’s journey to working at a prominent London law firm started thousands of miles away in South Africa, and we were keen to find out how that came about.
What brought you to the UK andย made you enter the executive support profession?
When South Africaย rejoinedย the Commonwealth inย 1994, I took the opportunity to comeย to the UKย on a working holiday visaย andย never returned.ย ย ย
Iย was a PA to the CFO from 2015 –ย 2018 and was then promoted toย Executive Assistantย supporting the CEO,ย CFOย andย Board of Directors due to my commitment andย hard work.ย
Have you worked in the legalย sector for long, andย what do you enjoy most about yourย work?
Itโsย beenย 19 years โย andย my role has evolved significantly, from working atย C-suite level in a large global law firm to now being part of a medium sized firm where I wear many hats. What I enjoy most about my job is theย independence I have andย strong supportย I receive from my bosses.ย
And what are the biggestย challenges of your role?
Being pushed out of my comfort zone, especially when it comes to HR-related issues.ย ย Navigating these areas can be complex, butย itโsย an opportunity for growth.ย
What are your main responsibilities? Do you also get involved in organising events?
My main responsibilitiesย includeย managingย multipleย diaries and meetings, arranging events, siteย visitsย andย travel,ย overseeing allย admin staff,ย handling HRย related matters and managing facilitiesโฆthe list goes on!ย
Whatโsย the best adviceย youโveย ever been given, and do you have a favourite quote?
In my first position atย a Law Firm, Iย encounteredย a legal term Iย didnโtย understand.ย ย I expressed my embarrassment to the Partner,ย heย said, โNever feel embarrassed to ask, we all learn something new every day,ย including myselfโ.ย
While Iย usuallyย favourย โtreat others how you expect to be treatedโ,ย I wouldย chooseย โexpect the unexpected.โย ย Itโsย aย great reminder to stay adaptable in my role.ย
Do you have any recommendations for professionalย development: tips,ย booksย or courses?
I highly recommend โTheย Crodieย Filesโ podcast, hosted by Jodie Meers and Craig Brynson.ย ย They share invaluable insights and strategies that canย greatly enhanceย oneโsย professional development.ย
Interview with Kerry Ferguson -Who inspires you?
While Iย donโtย have a specific individual who inspires me, my Christian faith profoundly influences my life.ย ย It provides me with strength, guidance, and a sense of purpose, encouraging me to be my best self and support others in my role.ย
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I absolutely love entertaining friends and family โ hosting dinner parties or game nights.ย ย ย ย
