After securing the Communication gong at this year’s London PA Awards, Danielle Francis, PA to the chairman at the FCA, explains the reason behind her three alarms and how meditation can help balance out a busy schedule.
What time does your alarm go off?
I actually have three alarms, the first one goes off at 06.50. The next goes off at 07.10, which is when I actually need to get out of bed and finally 07.30 for when I need to leave the house. I plan my work outfit the night before so I just have to shower, get dressed and I’m good to go. My boss arrives around 08.30 each day, and I’m lucky enough to live not too far from the office so an hour for the journey is enough to make sure I’m in at the same time as him.
What are you responsible for in your role?
Honestly, it’s quite hard to summarise in a few short sentences. My core responsibility is looking after the Financial Conduct Authority chairman. Aside from supporting him through diary, travel and inbox management, I also co-ordinate and execute both his internal communications and regional outreach plans.
Outside of my core role I am co-chair of the Professional Business Support Committee, which is a voice for all support staff from PAs to administrators to paralegals and more. I also mentor five administrators/PAs, which I find hugely rewarding.
How did you get your current job?
Since joining in 2009, I worked my way up at the FCA (previously FSA) from team administrator to PA, to the head of the executive office. When we recruited a new chairman in 2012 there was a vacancy as his PA, so I applied and thankfully was successful. I’ve now been working for the chairman for the last five years.
What do you get up to in your spare time?
I’m grateful to have a fairly good work/life balance. Most nights I spend at the gym, but I also take time to attend selective PA events, to build on my contacts, discover new venues and suppliers and also enhance my learning and development.
What has been your proudest moment so far?
Definitely winning the Communication Award at this year’s London PA Awards. It felt amazing to be recognised for my role and contributions to my organisation, as well as making my family proud. I think the PA Awards are a fantastic way to promote the role of an assistant, as we can often feel forgotten and yet are essential to many leaders’ successes.
What is your favourite techie kit/app?
Headspace. For those who don’t know, it’s a guided meditation app. Being in such a fast-paced and sometimes stressful role, it can be easy to lose track of ‘me’ time. I have dealt with anxiety since my early twenties and found the app helps me to take time out of each day to focus on my thoughts and emotions, deal with any anxiety I’m feeling and keep calm.
What would your alternative career be?
I would have loved to have been a successful make-up artist. Completely opposite to what I do now. But I love creating different looks and discovering new techniques. If you were a cocktail what would you be? Espresso Martini.
Have you had any embarrassing moments?
I don’t really embarrass easily. However, I remember once I was going to a networking lunch, so I dressed up to the nines and strutted out of my building in Canary Wharf at lunchtime in a pair of high heels and promptly fell down our front steps, landing flat on my face. My fall hurt, but my ego was far more bruised.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Most of my friends will tell you that I love a bit of trash TV, from soaps to reality shows.
