PA Life talks to Caroline Barnard, an outstanding EA whose impressive nomination and testimonials by her executives won her the PA Star of the Year 2025 award in Novemberโฆ
Caroline strives in the demanding and busy environment of one of the worldโs leading academic publishers, Cambridge University Press, now joined with the Assessment operation which develops and delivers trusted, world-leading exams and qualifications that open doors for learners and support education systems worldwide. Her modus operandi is to go beyond traditional support by acting as a strategic partner, innovator, leader, and event organiser who creates measurable impact.
Her exec and senior colleagues couldnโt have praised the breadth of her contributions and the value she brings to the executive, team, and organisation more in their support for Carolineโs PA Star of the Year nomination.
First of all, congratulations for winning the PA Star of the Year 2025 award. What does a professional recognition such as this mean to you?
Thank you! It means a great deal; it validates the passion and commitment I put into supporting my executive and organisation. It is a nice reminder that the work EAs do matters, and I am proud to help shine a light on the profession.
Whatโs your career path been like leading to you becoming an Executive Assistant?
My EA journey began unexpectedly when a director spotted my potential. From there I grew through project management, operations, H&S leadership and executive support roles, each step leading me to where I am today.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Being the person who makes things possible โ I love the challenge of making the impossible happen. No two days are the same and needing to stay one step ahead always keeps it exciting.
And what are the more challenging parts of being an EA?
The most challenging part is knowing when to push and when to protect. Balancing being both the gatekeeper and the catalyst takes judgement and emotional intelligence, and it is not always obvious which approach a situation needs.
Which achievements and contributions you think helped secure you the PA Star of the Year award?
I believe my readiness to take on challenges, ability to connect people and be a trusted support to colleagues helped me stand out. But equally, my commitment to my executive and to elevating the EA profession played a significant role.
What advice would you give to aspiring assistants aiming to climb the career ladder?
Be curious, build strong relationships in your organisation and remember that the role grows with you, so say yes to challenges. And the most important thing to remember is that it is your responsibility to look for how you can add value.
Are you concerned about AI replacing the assistant role in the future?
Curious, yes. But not concerned. AI is a support tool for our role, it cannot provide human judgement, emotional intelligence and strategic partnering which are all invaluable EA skills. We need to be looking at where we can use it, and with that saved time, what we can do to add the real value.
Which tools, or tech do you rely on most in your role, and how do they help you stay efficient and organised?
Microsoft 365, Teams, and Notes are my essentials. I keep it simple otherwise I get distracted and spend too much time on the tools instead of getting the work done.
What three qualities make you an outstanding EA?
Resilient, proactive and strong relationship building skills.
Describe a typical day for you.
No two days are the same but generally strategic planning, problem-solving, people support and ensuring my executive has what she needs before she knows she needs it. And normally an impossible task thrown in to keep me on my toes.
What are your favourite restaurants and hotels to book for your execs and clients, in Cambridge and London?
The Cambridge Colleges are always a favourite, especially Kingโs College.
If you werenโt an EA, what would you be?
I would have probably found my way into health and safety โ in a previous role I managed the health and safety of the office as part of my EA role, and I really enjoyed it.
What are the positives of being a PA Life Club member for you?
Building connections with other EAs that I might not have otherwise had the chance of meeting and learning from their experiences. I also enjoy reading the magazine, especially sections like this where you get to hear from other inspiring EAs.
How important is networking for you? Any tips?
It is essential for being a successful EA. My biggest tip would be do not network only when you need something. The connections need to be genuine and be consistently built and maintained.
Whatโs the best advice youโve been given?
The best advice I have received came from a close EA colleague of mine (Kathy) when I first started supporting my executive. She told me not to wait to be asked โ if you see the gap, step into it.
How do you relax after a busy day in the office?
Relaxing might not be the right word, but spending time with my husband and daughter always recharges me โ her humour and funny comments shift my brain away from a busy day.
Whatโs next for you?
I would like to be a part of supporting the evolution of the EA role as AI starts taking some of the more repetitive tasks. And in the meantime, keep looking for ways I can have a real impact that stretch me and keep me learning.
Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn
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