Fresh perspectives, exceptional venues and connected cities – discover why the North of England continues to grow as one of the UK’s most exciting destinations for meetings, conferences and corporate events. Fresh off the pages of PA Life’s autumn 2026 issue‘s Meet in the North feature we are delighted to tell you more of some […]

Exceptional gifts. Seamless service. Memorable moments that strengthen business relationships. For Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants and Office Managers, the challenge is in finding exceptional gifts fro clients and colleagues is to balance creativity with practicality… Whether it’s welcoming a new client, recognising a loyal employee, celebrating a milestone or sending festive thanks, corporate gifting has become far more than […]

PA Life is here to help you make this year’s Christmas party your best yet. From iconic city Christmas parties venues and riverside celebrations to sporting landmarks and countryside escapes, discover inspiring locations and expert ideas to help you create a Christmas event your guests will remember long after the decorations come down…  First published in the latest PA Life […]

For many busy assistants, attending conferences can feel like ‘time away from work’ – time you’d rather spend ticking off tasks and working towards your goals. But what if we told you that conferences are an investment into your career progression?   Whether you’re looking to build new skills, expand your network, discover innovative suppliers or stay ahead of […]

Less than an hour from the heart of London, at the end of the central line, The Barns at Lodge Farm offers a refreshing alternative to the well-trodden circuit of corporate venues. Set within 1000 acres of beautiful countryside on the Essex and Hertfordshire border, this family-run venue combines character, flexibility and exclusivity to create […]

The London Fine Dining Company was born out of the vision to offer the experience of dining at a top restaurant at the privacy of your home. We have a pleasure of talking to the creative mind behind the company, Head Chef Ben Mariner …  You were incredibly young when you entered the world of professional kitchens. Was cooking a passion for you […]

Whether it’s your first or 100th time, deciding what to wear to a professional networking event can be as stressful as the networking itself. Many people ask: “What do you wear to a networking event?” or “What should you wear to a networking event to make the right impression?” On one hand, you want to […]

Many assistants find it uncomfortable to talk about their accomplishments because they spend their careers making others successful. But talking about the amazing things you’ve achieved in your career isn’t about boasting – it’s about communicating the value you bring to the team or company. This guide includes real-life examples and practical tips to help […]

The rollercoaster of the past year has tested pay and rewards across the support sector. Faced with financial instability, political turmoil, and landmark employment reforms, many businesses struggled to offer significant salary rises. SecsintheCity’s latest Salary Survey reveals the earnings and what matters most to the assistant community today… While 54% of our audience received […]

PA Life’s Wellness Columnist Julia Green, Sales & Commercial Manager at Center Parcs Conferences & Events encourages you to be mindful of demanding workloads, and shares advice for managing the inevitable pressure points… For many people, January signals a fresh start. But for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants and other business support professionals as a whole, […]

Three hundred applications for one Executive Assistant role. A few years ago, that would have seemed extraordinary, but today it’s becoming increasingly common. Sarah Howson and Marianne Whitlock, Directors at Strategic PA Recruitment, discuss what makes your application stand out… As former Executive Assistants turned specialist business support recruiters, we personally review every application we […]

“In the fast-paced, and often unpredictable role of an Executive Assistant or Personal Assistant multiple priorities are competing for your attention. It’s easy for certain tasks to slip quietly to the bottom of your to-do list” says Lindsay Taylor, Co-Founder & Director at Your Excellency Ltd. As Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants, we’re experts at […]