Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire was the backdrop for this year’s EXECSec Summit, when around 70 delegates gathered to meet with suppliers and network with their peers. PA Life Editor Colette Doyle finds out how they got on Trade shows have their place, but we all know the frustration of schlepping wearily round a hall for […]

With the number of over-65s still working in the UK having reached the one million mark for the first time ever, it looks like an increasing number of us will be clocking in for the foreseeable future. Here then are a few pointers to ensure that the baby boomer generation continues to make a meaningful […]

Organising events takes up one day a week of the average PA’s time. The events in question could be anything from a training session, company away day, conference or other off-site meeting. This is one of the principal findings of an in-depth survey of a broad cross-section of the PA community conducted by PA Life […]

Every once in a while you can be truly inspired by the story of a person who has worked incredibly hard to achieve their goals. Sherri Eckworth, who now supports three of the directors at digital creative agency Tullo Marshall Warren (TMW) is one of those people, a woman who has gone from cleaning offices […]

Personal assistants across the world have once again been hitting the headlines, so we take our regular look at what exactly they’ve been up to. First up is the sad tale of comedy actor Robin Williams’s suicide; once again, as is the case in many of these sorry happenings, the person to find the body […]

With the summer in full swing, now is the time when a lot of office workers go away on holiday. Here are some top tips for keeping the rest of us motivated when all we can think about is the outside world. Maintaining staff morale in the summer months can be a challenge and taking […]

At PA Life we’re devoted to bringing you the very latest news, advice and recommendations on a whole smorgasbord of topics that we hope are of interest to you in your professional lives. Since our most popular stories seem to be those that provide suggestions on how to engender a better working relationship with your […]

There’s nothing better than a great pair of jeans – other than the opportunity to show them off, of course. Most of my fellow PAs will be familiar with Jeans for Genes Day, the annual event that raises vital funds to help children born with genetic disorders. Last night was the launch party and yours […]

You’ll no doubt have noticed by now that I love food. More importantly, I’m a big fan of international cuisine, so when I was invited to sample some delicious canapés at the Taste Portugal launch party at Notting Hill Kitchen, it was obviously an essential event for this self-proclaimed foodie. I had never been to […]

Entertaining business clients is a good way to maintain an agreeable working relationship with them and choosing the right way to say thank you is an important task. PA Life offers some intriguing options Ascot Racecourse (pictured)Iconic Ascot offers hospitality options throughout the racing season, with fine dining menus designed by award-winning Head Chef Steve […]

Whether you’re starting a new job or looking to step up and impress your boss, there is a certain set of skills every successful PA should have. If you want to achieve success in your role, have a look at this essential list and find out which areas to focus on improving. Leadership You may […]

Brasserie Chavot (pictured) exudes an air of Gallic sophistication from the get-go, writes Colette Doyle. The dark wooden panelling, subdued lighting supplied by an array of crystal chandeliers and the leather upholstered seating are all perfectly in keeping with its swanky Mayfair location as part of The Westbury hotel. My dining companion and I start […]

The gender divide has always been a hot topic in the corporate world. While things may be changing on the equality front, research shows that more than half of UK employees still feel that men make the best bosses. The survey, conducted by social media-based recruitment specialist Staffbay, reveals that 56% of those questioned said […]

The menu at the rooftop bar at this Meliá Hotels property says it all: Tapas con vistas, which translates as “tapas with views” and what views they are to be sure, taking in such iconic sights as Tower Bridge, St Paul’s and the Houses of Parliament, writes Colette Doyle. The property – a member of […]

We all know them. The team leader who arrives to work on Monday morning looking that little bit too cheerful. The fellow employees who always act as if they’ve just won the lottery – especially when the boss does her rounds. Indeed, one of the reasons we probably find fly-on-the-wall BBC documentary The Call Centre […]

Businesses across the UK could increase their productivity by a third by simply introducing more colour to the workplace. A study by Exeter University has shown that individuals can be up to 30% more productive if they have the ability to express themselves in the workplace. Leading applied colour psychology and business branding expert Karen […]

Coming Soon! We are nearly ready to show you everything that is happening at our Training Day in November 2014; for now, please call 01992 374100 and ask for a member of the team, or email trainingcourses@palife.co.uk for more information.  

The Rosewood takes plush to a whole new level, writes Colette Doyle. If the understated luxury of the hotel’s suites isn’t swish enough for you, then the fact they all have their own butler is sure to impress even the most jaded jet-setter. Tasteful, neutral furnishings are the order of the day here and the […]