When you meet the PA to a high-profile CEO, you don’t expect to hear that she took a break early in her career to pursue an entirely different profession. Christine Hampson, who is currently the management assistant to the CEO of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), did just that after starting as a secretary at a law firm, but her chosen path was a far cry from the world of administration.
“I was in the office one day and looked out of the window,” Christine says. “I saw two policewomen on the pavement below and thought they looked smart in their uniforms. It suddenly came to me that policing was something I really wanted to try.” Christine then spent the next 10 years patrolling the streets of her local borough and following cases from arrest through to trial. As time went on, she found herself preparing an increasing number of court papers and ended up helping another officer organise his case reports for Crown Court. “He was commended for the level of detail and, eventually, I was assisting a lot of people and doing more admin,” she adds.
So when Christine decided it was time for a change, her experience as an officer and the skills she had learned at secretarial school made transitioning back into the admin world as a PA at an interior design company that much easier. “There was still a big difference in jobs,” she admits. “My new working hours were a lot better. I missed the police from time to time, but being in a demanding role really helped.”
Since her first PA job, she has also worked as an assistant within the catering, fashion and security industries, although she is hard-pressed to choose her favourite. “I’ve loved all of them. Security is associated with a key part of my career, so it’s like second nature to me. It’s a role I have really thrived in.”
According to Christine, many of the skills she gained as a police officer have assisted her in her current role, in which she helps her boss prepare papers for Parliament on a regular basis. “I’m very methodical in everything I do,” she says. “I also try to be assertive, trustworthy and loyal. I have learned emotional intelligence and can stay calm under pressure. I have a great eye for detail too.”
The ability to keep her cool can be especially useful at BSIA because security is a high-profile industry. It’s also one in which the roles are predominately filled by men. “A lot of the roles are overlapping, so mutual respect is a must,” she explains. “When you’ve got men and women doing the same job, you really just have to recognise everybody’s hard work. Having different opinions provides a nice balance in the office.”
In addition to the courses she took as an officer, Christine has obtained qualifications in first aid, IT, business studies, shorthand and typing. She believes it’s important for PA s to do as much as they can to gain new skills. “Life is all about learning,” she advises. “It’s essential to keep updated, especially with changes in technology. Otherwise you get left behind. It’s also good to have something new to bring to the table; it’s about giving back to your employer.”
As a top-level PA, Christine has some words of wisdom for those trying to establish themselves in similar roles. “Keep calm,” she begins. “Prioritise your work and be organised. Communication is key. You have to be diplomatic, but assertive when needed. Discretion and integrity are paramount. If you’re not sure about something, don’t be afraid to ask someone who can help. Above all, keep a sense of humour.”
Where does Christine see herself going from here? “You have to seize every opportunity,” she says. “Who knows where life will take you? I’d like a role that continues to challenge me and something to which I can add value.” In the grand scheme of things, it sounds like Christine has her path all mapped out.
A day in the life
7.30am My long commute into London allows me to get started early, checking emails on the train and prioritising the day’s workload to accommodate urgent requests that have come in overnight.
9am I arrive at the office and open up, logging on to my computer and completing any outstanding tasks from the previous day before checking through the emails of the chief executive and prioritising them for his attention. Once he arrives, I’ll spend some time with him going through his plans for the day.
1pm With an office based in busy Farringdon, there are plenty of options when it comes to taking a break from my desk. Lunchtime is also an ideal opportunity to complete a diary check with my boss, guiding him through his priorities, arranging forthcoming meetings and discussing relevant items that have occurred during the day.
1.30pm With our London office being small and relatively newly established, my daily tasks can take me anywhere from purchasing stationery and consumables to dealing with incoming telephone calls and correspondence. Our busy programme of political engagement activity often sees our CEO attend meetings in Parliament; I liaise regularly with senior industrial and political offices, so diary management is always near the top of my list. As a national organisation, liaising with our Worcester office is highly important, as well as making travel arrangements for my boss.
5.15pm Officially, the working day ends here, but it’s often the best chance I have for a final catch-up with the chief exec. I usually arrive home at around 7pm for some time with the family before getting ready for the following day.
