In this exclusive interview for PA Life Microsoft’s Sarah Armstrong-Smith, one of the Top Trending Cybersecurity Speakers in the world, discusses what led the cyber expert to work for Microsoft. Sarah also reflected on her work during the Millenium Bug and revealed the advice she would give her younger self. Discover all of that and […]

PA Life discussed how to deliver great corporate events with Caroline Medcalf, Director of Venue Find and Events at Agiito. What advice would you give to a PA who is new to event organising? It’s harder than it looks! There are many different facets to organising. My advice would be to plan, prepare and then […]

Sandi Richmond, Executive Chef at Nobu Shoreditch, took the reins at this iconic Shoreditch restaurant  in April this year, after gaining her Nobu training and experience first at Nobu Dubai and most recently at Nobu Istanbul. Our Editor had a pleasure of meeting ChefI as Richmond at the iconic Nobu hotel. Sandi is originally from Durban, […]

We spoke to Danielle Francis, Executive Assistant at Ankura Consulting, about her role that extends to mentoring other PAs and EAs and also to organising work social and charity activities. I’ve been in my role for 3 years and support the Chairman for EMEA & APAC, Head of People and 2 Senior Managing Directors. I […]

We sat down with Juliet Tolley, PA at the Home Office, Digital Data and Technology department, with over 30 years of experience within the Government, to uncover what her dream job looks like. How did you come to be a Personal Assistant? I always wanted to be a secretary! I was born organised and really […]

We spoke to Kerrin MacPhie, Chief Executive at The Meetings Industry Association, or mia as it’s commonly known. Kerrin took over the reins last November as the only salaried position within the association’s board of business meetings and events heavyweights… The mia is the largest, longest standing and most influential trade body operating within the […]

 How is the meetings & events industry awakening? We sat down with Emma Bason, Director of Meetings & Events UK at American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) to talk about getting back to business and what’s unique about her company. As a Meetings and Events professional, what do you enjoy most about working in […]

Our recent PA Profile interview is with Anita Payne, Assistant at Pan European Equities at Schroders. She shares her top tips and insights from her role, and discusses the rapidly changing workplace, plus the need to look after the wellbeing of you and your team. What was your journey like into your career as a […]

We asked Ashley Archer, Personal Assistant to a Finance Director at Standard Chartered, about her career journey, the challenges, highlights and why she loves her PA role 14 years in. “My name is Ashley, I’m from Essex and have worked as a PA in London for approximately 14 years. I’m a regular gym goer and […]

We sat down with Rachel Tonge, UK Vice President & General Manager at American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), to talk about her role and the company’s ambitions for 2022… How did you first get into the world of business travel? Business travel really found me. I was keen for a career change, having worked […]

Following huge investment, 2022 is shaping up to be a busy year at Butlin’s, so we sat down with Nick Tipper (pictured), its Head of Conferences and Events, to find out more… What does Butlin’s recent conferences & events relaunch mean for your clients in 2022?  Butlin’s has always been about bringing people together. Our […]

We sat down with Kerry Wright, Head of Group Sales at Lime Venue Portfolio, to discover how the company’s Meetings for Change initiative can help take away your eco-anxieties… Tell us about Lime Venue Portfolio and why you’ve undertaken the Meetings for Change initiative. Lime Venue Portfolio is the UK’s largest collection of diverse venues, […]

Stacey McEwan (pictured, right) works as an Executive Assistant at a London-based consumer goods company. She tells PA Life about navigating the pandemic as an Assistant, the biggest challenges she’s faced and slipping back into high heels… How did you get your current job? I was temping and was contacted about a two-week placement. 14 […]

Eighteen months ago no-one could have foreseen the profound changes a global pandemic would inflict on our working and home lives. Orlaith O’Brien, EA to five executives at tech giant Endava, recounts how she has adapted… Tell us about your role. I work for a company called Endava, an information technology and services provider. My […]

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. […]

IQ-EQ recently announced the appointment of Caroline Bagshaw as its new Group Chief People Officer. Caroline’s HR career to date spans more than 26 years and a diverse range of industry sectors, including technology, pharma and financial services. She has 18 years’ experience in regional and global HR leadership roles, and PA Life spoke with […]

Take That’s former management assistant talks of how life after working for the band has inspired her to help a new generation of Virtual Assistants. Sarah-Jane Heath (known in the business as SJ) spent many years at the top of her profession, travelling the Globe with one of the UK’s most successful boybands, Take That, […]