PA of the Year

paoty

 

SecsintheCity are proud to champion the talent of Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants and Business Support Managers UK-wide. Join us, in celebrating the 13th annual PA of the Year awards.

Nominations are now open for this year’s awards. SecsintheCity are seeking leading PAs, EAs, Legal PAs, and Business Support professionals worthy of recognition. Achieve a momentous accolade - nominate yourself or a colleague, to be crowned the PA of the Year.

Nominate your PA of the Year

  • Nominate your winner

    Are you an inspirational PA/EA or Business Support Manager? Do you know someone who is? Nominate them for the SecsintheCity PA Awards.

  • What are the categories in the PA of the Year Awards?

    This year, we are excited to announce the addition of a new category. Alongside our PA and Legal PA winners, we will be recognising a ‘Business Support Manager’ of the year. Our esteemed judging panel will interview a shortlist of finalists to select a winner for:

    Legal PA of the Year:

    The Legal PA of the Year award celebrates the hard work and dedication of Legal Secretaries and EAs / PAs supporting individuals or small teams across national, regional, and City law firms, as well as in-house departments and Barrister's chambers.

    This category would be suitable for an individual who has demonstrated passion, flair, and confidence in what they do, going above and beyond to boost their firms, colleagues and team’s across a myriad of industries.

    As noted by 2023 winner Lauren Sweeney, Legal PA and Team Leader at Eversheds Sutherland, ‘companies would not function without the PA role. We should be proud of our own achievements and should share our accomplishments with others in the same field… the SecsintheCity Awards is a platform for us to share details of the level of support a PA provides.’

     

    Business Support Manager of the Year:

    The newly created category of Business Support Manager of the Year aims to recognise those that manage a team of PAs, EAs and support professionals. This role is critical in many large organisations, leading and developing a high performing business support team covering a wide range of functions.

    We recognise that the job title isn’t always clearly defined and welcome nominations from those in PA Team Leader, EA Manager, Administrative Support Manager and Chief of Staff roles.

     

    PA of the Year:

    Our most prestigious award, the PA of the Year award recognises the unparalleled support given by PAs and to EAs Board/C-suite Executives, Managing Directors, Senior Management, and HNWIs. The PA of the Year is awarded to someone who is the shining embodiment of the role, amplifying the success of the business and those around them.

    As Jody Beard, last year’s PA of the Year, and EA at Visionary Finance stated, ‘an EA will not just assist the business, they will think strategically in the same way that their managers do, and make sure that their objectives are aligned with the business.’

    The SecsintheCity PA of the Year award is a celebration of the incredible work that Personal Assistants and Executive Assistants conduct behind the scenes. Nominate your PA of the Year today.

     

    Outstanding Achievement Award:

    The Outstanding Achievement Award pays credit to a nominee who has gone above and beyond in their role within business support. Awarded by the judges to an exisitng nominee, the award intends to reconise an individual who has benefited not only their organisation, but inspired the colleagues around them.

    When asked, “what advice would you give to other EAs thinking about nominating themselves for the PA of the Year Awards?”, Victoria Gaston, Executive Assistant to Nick Gordon at NGJG Holdings and last year’s winner, stated: ‘never underestimate yourself, self-belief must sit high up the list of intangible characteristics of a good EA’.

    ‘Think of the times where you have questioned if something could be done more efficiently or cost effectively or have perhaps introduced a new process or system that has proved invaluable, increased productivity or reduced unnecessary expenditure. Real life examples of how and where we have made a significant difference or positive contribution to our organisations or individuals are really great in setting you apart from others.’

  • Why nominate for the PA of the Year Awards?

    Winning a PA of the Year Award is the ultimate recognition of hard work and achievements as a business support professional.

    Recognise the outstanding talent, skills and achievements of Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants and Office Managers with SecsintheCity. Our annual awards provide the opportunity to truly commemorate the exceptional individuals who have benefited and boosted their businesses, colleagues and team’s across a myriad of industries.

    This year, our awards come at a time wherein recognising your employees’ and colleagues’ talent is more important than ever.

    Deserving PA of the Year Award winners don’t necessarily need a boss or colleague to make a nomination on their behalf. At SecsintheCity, we strongly believe in the importance of knowing your self-worth and celebrating your own achievements and talents, which is why we want to encourage self-nominations too. Many of our previous finalists and winners nominated themselves to win the awards.

    Bethany Burns, PA at BrewDog and the winner of the PA of the Year award, was just one of many talented Assistants who nominated themselves. We asked Bethany what advice she had for those of you toying with the idea of nominating yourselves for this year's Awards:

    “Go for it! Know your value and put yourself out there. I think it is important to keep personally challenging yourself to evolve as an individual. I recommend you read interesting books (I read many of the books my boss reads), mix with brilliant people, take online courses (I’m just finishing a mini-MBA course!), do speaking events and above all, keep learning. Absorb the world around you.”

    And as Gemma Bulut, our 2022 Office Manager of the Year stated, "be yourself and go for it. If you don’t take a risk, how will you know?". 

  • What happens if I am chosen as a finalist?

    All finalists are invited to an interview with our judges. Rest assured, the interview stage is not as daunting as it sounds, as Catherine Torrie, our 2022 PA of the Year, stated: 

    “I really enjoyed speaking with Sarah El-Doori and Susanna Tait, it felt like I was catching up with old friends.”

    With hundreds of nominations reaching us for for the PA of the Year Awards each year, we turned to our esteemed judges to share their advice on how to stand out amongst the crowd: 

    Be prepared to talk about your unique experiences: as Susanna Tait - one of our PA of the Year judges and Chief Executive at specialist PA recruitment consultancy Tay Associates who sponsor the Awards - highlights “the interviews give the shortlisted candidates the opportunity to express, in their own words, what they love about their role. We don’t want to catch anyone out, we want the individuals to bring to life their unique experiences.”

    Forget the formalities: we know the connotations of the word ‘interview’ but rest assured, shortlisted PAs, EAs and Office Managers won’t be subjected to a starchy, overly formal affair. Over the years many of our finalists and winners have praised the relaxed nature of the PA of the Year Awards interview. As Anna West, one of our PA of the Year 2022 Finalists stated, "I was extremely nervous at the start, an interview scenario always makes me feel anxious, but Sarah and Susanna were so friendly and made me feel relaxed straight away. It felt more like a conversation with friends."

    Be yourself: a key piece of advice from judges and past winners alike is to be yourself and show us what really makes you tick. “It’s about the unique experiences that nominees have encountered along the way,” affirms Susanna. “We want to meet the person behind the paper and learn about motivations, inspiration, challenges and achievements that are meaningful to them.”

  • Who judges and sponsors the PA of the Year Awards?

    Multi-award winning recruitment company Tay Associates specialise in PA, admin and support staff recruitment in Central London. Tay Associates have sponsored the PA of the Year Awards for many years and Suzanna Tait, Chief Executive of Tay Associates and judge of the Awards, highlights that the aim of the Awards “is to acknowledge the significant contributions that PAs and EAs make to the organisations they work for."

    Our other judge is Sarah El-Doori, Marketing Director for Reach Work Ltd, a portfolio of market leading job sites including SecsintheCity (PAs and EAs), GAAPweb (Accountants) and TotallyLegal (Lawyers).

    So, what are the judges after? When asked about the winning qualities she looks for in nominees, Susanna told us at the top of her list are “a genuine passion for the profession and someone who through the challenges, hurdles and problems to solve, genuinely loves what they do.”

    Meanwhile, SecsintheCity Marketing Director and PA of the Year Awards judge Sarah EL-Doori highlighted, "this year especially, we know that many PAs, EAs and Office Managers have shown extraordinary commitment during this challenging time. If you work with a PA or Office Manager who deserves to be celebrated, we encourage you to nominate them.”

  • What prizes are on offer to the 2024 winners?

    PA of the Year - Chef's Tasting Menu at The Shard with Oblix

    The PA of the Year Award prize includes an exclusive Chef's Tasting Menu experience at The Shard's renowned Oblix restaurant. Located on the 32nd floor, Oblix offers a sophisticated urban dining experience curated by acclaimed chef Rainer Becker. The winner will indulge in a meticulously crafted tasting menu, featuring contemporary dishes from the grill and rotisserie, all prepared in an open, theatrical kitchen. With unparalleled vistas over London's skyline as the backdrop, this dining experience promises to be a memorable celebration of culinary excellence and a fitting reward for the PA of the Year.

    Business Support Manager of the Year - Taste of Savoy Grill for Two

    The Business Support Manager of the Year prize is an exquisite dining experience, "Taste of Savoy Grill for Two”. This prestigious reward invites the winner and a guest to savor a four-course tasting menu in one of London's most iconic and luxurious settings. Once home to the legendary Auguste Escoffier, the Savoy Grill offers a menu that features best-loved dishes such as the Arnold Bennett soufflé and their signature Beef Wellington, all reinterpreted with modern flair and precision. Dining amid the splendid Art Deco surroundings of the Savoy, this experience is not just a culinary delight but also a celebration of the winner's exceptional contributions to business support.

    Legal PA of the Year - Sabor Gift Voucher

    The Legal PA of the Year Award includes a delightful Sabor Gift Voucher, offering an exceptional dining experience at one of London's most celebrated Spanish restaurants. Sabor, meaning "flavor" in Spanish, takes diners on a culinary journey through Spain's diverse regions, from the vibrant tapas bars of Andalucía to the traditional asadors of Castile and the seafood-rich coasts of Galicia. With three distinct areas, each providing a unique taste and atmosphere, this voucher allows the award recipient to indulge in an array of authentic dishes crafted with passion and expertise.

    Outstanding Achievement Award - Nine Course Dinner Tasting Menu for Two at Cord by Le Cordon Bleu

    The Outstanding Achievement Award is honoured with an exceptional culinary experience: a Nine Course Dinner Tasting Menu for Two at Cord by Le Cordon Bleu. This prestigious dining event promises an exquisite journey through nine meticulously crafted, bite-sized dishes that showcase the pinnacle of culinary artistry. Inspired by the French concept of degustation, each course is thoughtfully curated to highlight the freshest and finest ingredients, transforming them into masterpieces of taste and presentation. Set in an elegant and refined atmosphere, this tasting menu offers a sensory delight that tantalises the taste buds.

  • The 2023 Winners of the PA of the Year Awards

    PA of the Year - Jody Beard, EA to the Managing Director of Visionary Finance:

    PA

    A self-nominee, Jody Beard is the Executive Assistant to the Managing Director of Visionary Finance, an independent specialist mortgage broker, based in Milton Keynes. Jody has conducted a unique career path, working for the likes of Peoples Bank, Carlsberg, Compass Group and Champneys.

    Her current role at Visionary Finance, has allowed Jody to take on a very broad range of responsibilities - from project managing and training new CRM implementation, to accounts and IT work. Jody’s perseverance and confident yet humble attitude won over the judges. ‘I love my job. It's challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. I am so grateful to have been recognised for my accomplishments.’

    ‘Nominating myself for an award felt like stepping outside my comfort zone in front of an audience. But after reading the encouraging words from last year's winner, who said ‘just go for it,’ I thought, ‘why not?’. I was humbled and shocked to be invited for an interview. I'm so proud that I took that initial step and nominated myself and have the satisfaction of knowing that I gave it my all.’

    As her nomination noted, ‘we really couldn’t run the company without her - she holds the business together.'


    Legal PA of the Year - Lauren Sweeney, Legal PA and Team Leader at Eversheds Sutherland:

    Legal PA

    Working as a Legal PA and Team Leader at Eversheds Sutherland, Lauren has conducted a range of PA and EA roles. The judges were impressed with Lauren’s clear enthusiasm and championing of her team - with great work for their gender support committee, and many firm wide initiatives including the buddy support system for support staff returning from mat leave, helping bridge the gap between the traditional working environment and a side of the workforce often without a voice.

    A glowing nomination from her Operations Director, who stated, 'I don't know what we would have done without her. She has set the bar very very high.'


    Office Manager of the Year - Caroline Rees Williams, Operations Manager at The Valesco Group:

    OM

    Caroline has been with global real estate management firm, The Valesco Group, for the past three years - where she works as joint Office / Operations Manager and EA to the CEO.

    As Caroline stated, ‘‘Office Managers conduct the invisible role - no-one outside of our industry fully knows what an Office Manager does, as we often operate behind the scenes. The team arrive each day to a seamlessly functioning office, not necessarily aware of just how much happens in the background.'’ The judges were hugely impressed with the extensive impact that Caroline has had across the business, bringing an energetic, fresh and ambitious approach to the role - clearly an invaluable asset to the operation and an effortless nomination for Office Manager of the Year.


    Outstanding Achievement Award - Victoria Gaston, Executive Assistant to Nick Gordon at NGJG Holdings:

    OA

    Victoria has been a PA at NGJG Holdings for the past two years, a UK based entrepreneurial family business, currently running 15+ different operations. As Victoria stated, 'joining there was a baptism of fire, with tasks including getting the owner's boat from Tunisia to the UK!'.

    'Victoria is a remarkable PA', stated her CEO - 'her unwavering dedication, even in the face of battling cancer, showcases her exceptional commitment to supporting both me and my family. Her resilience and tireless work ethic, combined with her advocacy for bowel cancer as an ambassador, not only make her an outstanding PA but also a source of inspiration and support for countless others.'

    The judges were in complete agreement, blown away by Victoria’s professional abilities and unwavering enthusiasm to get the job done - a fantastic nomination and well-deserved finalist.

    Read the 2022 PA of the Year winners interviews. 2023 interviews to come. 

    2023 Salary Survey