Louise joined Criton almost 2 years ago and since then her role has grown from part time EA to full time EA and Operations Manager. In 2020, Louise was a finalist at the PA Life Star Awards and in 2021 has contributed two articles ‘How to juggle home schooling while working as an EA‘ and […]

Sarah Szekir-Papasavva, Founder of Apt Virtual Assistance, comes from an artistic background, having studied a Masters Degree in Fine Art at the University of Leeds before building a career as a PA. Sarah trained as an Executive Assistant, followed by a Virtual Assistance course, before using her experience to start Apt Virtual Assistance. Sarah offers a […]

Joanne Manville Virtual Assistance has been running for over five years and has evolved from ‘just’ Joanne to a team of amazing VAs. In this interview PA Life speaks to Joanne about why she decided to become a Virtual Assistant, the South West VA Collaboration and essential tools she uses in her in day-to-day role. […]

Sarah Damani runs a successful Alchemy Virtual Assistance (VA) Hub where she supports multiple business owners with their PA, marketing and administration under the trusted and award-winning Alchemy brand. She became an Alchemy VA Hub Manager in December 2019 – three months before COVID hit – and rose above the challenges of the pandemic to […]

Editor of PA Life Hayley Somerscales spoke with Niamh Smithers, Senior Executive Assistant at ESW and PA Life Star Award finalist for PA of the Year 2020… During the interview Niamh shares how she became an Executive Assistant, her current responsibilities, personal development, having dyslexia in the workplace and her advice to others with dyslexia. […]

How has the pandemic and lockdown changed the role of an EA? PA Life spoke to Orlaith O’Brien, EA at Endava… How did you get your current position? I was contacted by a lady in the recruitment department via LinkedIn. (In fact my previous position was via LinkedIn also!) I wasn’t actively looking at the […]

Karen is the PA to Andy Tookey, the Managing Partner of Baily Garner, a construction consultancy covering a majority of the UK with offices in both Eltham and Birmingham. PA Life spoke with Karen about how she secured her current position and her thoughts on PA Life Club… How did you get your current job? […]

Recently the news has been filled with venues offering their facilities to the NHS. In England, COVID-19 vaccines are being delivered from 206 hospital hubs, 1,200 local vaccination service sites and 50 vaccination centres located in large-scale venues, such as football stadiums. Here are just some of the venues who have opened their doors: Hampshire Court […]

At the PA Life Star Awards, Romy Ashmore was awarded Multi-Tasker of the Year 2020. Romy is an Executive Assistant at RM Results and in March 2019 was offered the opportunity to undertake training to become a mental health and well-being champion. PA Life spoke with Romy to find out more about her experience and how she felt […]

What internal scripts do you have running through your mind on any given day? Are they positive or negative? Transformational coach and healer Amy Gallagher explains why a healthy mind is as important as a healthy body and gives you tips on how to create a more empowering mindset. To book a session with Amy please […]

At the PA Life Star Awards, Jade Fearon was awarded Rising Star 2020. Jade is a Personal Assistant at DWF and adapted well into working from home. During lockdown she seamlessly transitioned into working for a new team, and remained a positive voice for other support staff during a very uncertain period. PA Life spoke […]

At the PA Life Star Awards, Kirsi Swinton was awarded PA of the Year 2020. Kirsi is an Executive Assistant and Assistants Network Lead at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. In 2020 Kirsi published her first article Who Decides the Value of an Assistant, followed shortly by a second article ‘The Problem with Politeness: Why straight-talking as […]

Tony Cheetham reveals his experience as an employer in Manchester city center during the COVID-19 pandemic. He and his partner run a B2B software company from an office near Piccadilly Gardens, with a team of three directors, support staff, developers and a technical support team whose day-to-day involves helping clients on the telephone with their e-commerce […]

By Laura Coote, Director, Black Edge Style  Do you have a 100 fashion ideas but you’re never quite sure if you have the confidence to put yourself out there? PA Life spoke with Laura Coote, Director at Black Edge Style who is here to tell you, you can, you should and once you do, you’ll feel […]

Natalie Reeves was awarded VA of the Year 2020 at the PA Life Christmas Party incorporating the Star Awards. Natalie is a Virtual Assistant who has managed to grow her business NJR Virtual PA during the pandemic. Natalie has done this whilst juggling a 4-year-old starting school and a 1-year-old who is with her full […]

Last week the PA Life Star Awards took place and Chris Holland was awarded PA Life Club Member of the Year 2020. Chris is currently an Executive Assistant at Nimrod Capital LLP, but has experience working for a variety of organisations such as the NHS and financial institutions. Having worked in a range of roles […]

By Liz Taylor, CEO and Business Leader, Liz Taylor Consultancy Christmas is fast approaching and it’s true that this year has been very different for all the office party planners out there. So, Liz Taylor CEO and Business Leader at Liz Taylor Consultancy, shares her advice on how to recognise staff differently this Christmas… “In […]

Alicia Fairclough is EA to the CEO at Truphone and the Founder of the EA How To community initiative. She talks to PA Life about navigating the pandemic, working from home and pink gin… Tell us how you got to your current position at Truphone. I got my current role through a fantastic London recruiter, Morgan […]