With the World Health Organization characterising the Coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic, alternative event delivery methods are top of our minds to ensure that meetings and conferences that require real-time engagement continue without interruption. In this interview, Church House’s Audio-Visual Manager, Bradley Hill, explains how the venue is utilising event technology to ensure that events can […]
interview
Coronavirus: Event technology at Church House is shifting physical events online
PA Profile: Marie Bliss, Tesco
Communication is key to being a great assistant, especially if you’re a PA to three Directors in the Group Communications department at the UK’s biggest retail chain. PA Life visited Tesco HQ in Welwyn Garden City to discover how Marie Bliss has honed her skills over 14 years… How did you become an Assistant? I […]
Work & life with Arup’s Anna Fiske
Anna Fiske is a PA to two senior Directors at professional services giant Arup. She talks to PA Life about her career to date, the challenges of her role and the importance of technology… What inspired you to start a career as a PA/Assistant? After my degree, I took a secretarial diploma, so I would […]
PA Profile: Monica Lien, PA to Pat Sharp
Monica Lien is the PA for the broadcaster Pat Sharp. Under her married name of Monica Sharp, she’s also his wife. PA Life speaks to her about the peculiarities of working for a man within the media industry – who is also her spouse… How did you meet Pat? It was at a nightclub in […]
PA Life Summit Speaker Q&A: Melody Brooker, Live The City
In the latest of our Q&A’s with PA Life Summit speakers, we sat down with Live The City Managing Director Melody Brooker to discuss her career path, industry trends and advice for aspiring event managers… Tell us a little bit about your career to date and what your current professional focus is? I left a […]
PA Profile: Abi Sangster, EA to Mary Portas
Working so closely to someone in the public eye requires a certain level of discretion, something which Abi Sangster, EA to Mary Portas, is all too familiar with. PA Life sat down with her to find out why she never planned on becoming an assistant, and how her gregarious personality has led her to achieve […]
5 minutes with… Leanne Farrell, founder of Leanne Farrell VA
After launching her own virtual assistant business a few years ago, Leanne Farrell, founder of Leanne Farrell VA, has never looked back since. Here she explains why she needed to make the jump and stop thinking ‘what if, and why she just can’t live without her phone. How did you launch your business? I started […]
Top stories of the week
As we continue to keep you informed on what’s happening in the events world and up to date, don’t forget to check us out on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. Cast your votes for your industry favourites with the PA Assist Awards PA Life has been nominated for the fifth consecutive year in the Periodical Publications for the PA category. […]
Interview: Capita on why well-being is crucial to business travellers
For those who are booking travel and those who are are taking the trip, health and wellness is a huge factor many need to consider. PA Life’s Recommended Supplier, Capita Travel & Events’ Matthew Holman, head of travel well-being and Jonti Dalal-Small, head of behavioural science, reveal how employees can monitor their health and why […]
5 minutes with… Mary Portas
We’ve heard from the PAs themselves about their day-to-day lives in the workplace, but we’ve decided to ditch the rule book and speak to a boss to find out what they look for in an assistant. In a special ‘5 minutes with…’, Jade Burke speaks to retail consultant and broadcaster Mary Portas, to find out why […]
Interview: Enjoy new levels of luxury with My Private Villas
With a variety of villas across a number of locations including South America, Thailand and the Seychelles, My Private Villas can offer corporate guests an experience they will never forget. Since being confirmed as a headline sponsor of the PA Life Club, Jade Burke chats to Paolo Macchiaroli, CEO and founder of the firm, to […]
Weird and wonderful interview techniques that work
Interviewing someone for a job can be just as nerve-racking as being the one interviewed, from choosing the appropriate questions to ask, to asking if the candidate fits in when your company. We explore how employers can incorporate some alternative methods into their next interview. Once upon a time, job interviews were fairly straightforward […]
Top stories of the week
As we continue to keep you informed on what’s happening in the events world and up to date, don’t forget to check us out on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. PA Profile: Lydia McKay, Pretty Little Thing At the time of interviewing, Lydia McKay was EA to the co-founder of Pretty Little Thing. Having worked on the corporate side in […]
Interview: Daniel Skermer on delivering a new conference for the North
Daniel Skermer, founder of the Birmingham PA Forum and Birmingham PA Awards, is back with a bang following the announcement of the upcoming Birmingham PA Forum Learning and Development Conference 2019. Here, he shares what the day will hold and why he strives to offers PAs new motivational and inspirational content to drive their ever-changing careers. […]
Interview: Fello’s Simone Buckley on the changing world of business travel
Having worked with PAs for over 23 years, travel management company Fello knows how to make booking business travel simple and effective. Simone Buckley, group CEO of Fello shares some helpful tips and tricks for assistants to make the most of and why technology is having such an impact on travel. Can you tell us […]
Podcasting PA Liz Van Vliet on why PAs won’t be replaced by tech
Podcasts have risen to fame over the last five years, with more of us than ever downloading and listing to them. With topics that vary from showbiz news to gardening, they can be easy listening or a place to learn new information and skills. After many hours listening to podcasts devoted to helping PAs/EAs develop […]
Spotlight on: JJ Media Group
With 30 years’ experience, JJ Media Group has cemented its position as a leading production services specialist. Jade Burke chats with Amy Green, the company’s marketing and new business manager, about its plans for breaking into the corporate world and the power of technology. Can you give us a brief history of JJ Media Group? With […]
Work & life: Shirley Ruiz
With a bucket list as long as her arm, Shirley Ruiz, EA at HSBC, can’t wait to travel to more countries and experience their cultures – but just make sure a Passionfruit Martini is waiting for her when she returns home. What inspired you to start a career as a PA? Originally, I was working […]