Izzy Duffy | Senior Business Operations Executive | Multiverse
I joined Multiverse straight out of school back in 2018 on a Multiverse Business Associate apprenticeship working in our Compliance team.
This role enabled me to get a good grasp of the foundations of the business and work with a number of our functions. This sparked my interest in project management and operations.
I then was given the opportunity transition into a Delivery Operations & Governance role, whilst undertaking my second Multiverse apprenticeship in Project Management.
In 2022, I then made the transition to our central Business Operations team to focus on delivering a range of cross-functional business projects (including process changes, internal launches, policy and strategy).
I now report directly to our Chief of Staff to support her in her role. My responsibilities include leading various cross-business projects (setting up processes for the business as we grow, system implementation, acquisitions, events), supporting cross-functional alignment and business planning and strategy. I also am trusted by leaders who are several levels above me to be their safe sounding board, as an extension of my role in the Chief of Staff team.
Kate Roughneen | PA to GEC Member | Royal London
As Executive Assistant to the Group CTO at Royal London, I support the strategic and operational leadership of the transformation function within the UK`s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company.
With over 15 years of experience as an EA in the financial services, insurance, and telecoms sectors, I have developed a range of competencies that enable me to deliver high-quality and efficient support to senior executives and their teams.
Laura Oakes | Executive Assistant | Vialto Partners
I got my law degree in 2014 and worked as a fee earner in a law firm dealing with injury and fraudulent cases.
Whilst at the law firm I went on to gain my qualification as a chartered legal executive. Whilst I enjoyed my work, I had always been interested in the PA/EA world and believed my skillset would be right for the job.
In August 2022, I started working at Vialto and have never looked back since. I love the diversity of my day to day work life; every day is different and I love getting to work with and connect with so many people because of my role. A couple of stand out moments during my time at Vialto so far has to be coordinating an Immigration seminar at The House of Commons for one my partners and also getting to travel to New York to assist in the running of a client conference.
My only regret is that I didn`t make the move sooner! I really do look forward to seeing where I can go in my career and at Vialto!
Marie Hall | Executive Assistant | Barclays
My PA/EA career started in 1997 as a team secretary initially working my way up to PA to the Finance Director and designated cover for the Governor and Deputy Governors offices before relocating back to the Northwest in 2014 where I was PA For the Deputy Agent in a Satellite office.
After 22yrs service I was headhunted and went to work for a Global payments/FinTech company, based at their Manchester office, where I spent 3 enjoyable years working with to the VP of Global Operations Solution Consulting and VP of Global Billing, as well as being the site lead support and having responsibility for colleague engagement across the Manchester office. I won the Michaela Ferguson Burns award (a business award initiative) whilst working here for outstanding contribution.
I was then offered the opportunity to come to Barclays where I support Managing Directors, Directors, and their teams, within the Chief Technology Office. Alongside this day-to-day role I help lead on colleague forums and employee resource groups as I am passionate about colleague engagement and mental health and wellbeing. I believe that as an Executive Assistant we can bring much more to the business, and I look for ways to showcase this.
My spare time is spent as a volunteer, in my local town of Warrington, where I am one of the Turnstile Operators at Warrington Town FC. I also cohost a monthly supper for the women of Warrington for a local charity that has a focus on all things wellbeing and mental health. I work with this charity to lead wellbeing walks for their members and am involved in an annual suicide awareness event that sees huge numbers of people walk from darkness into the night to help raise awareness. I am an advocate for mental health and wellbeing having come through my own personal struggles and believe we can all make a difference.
Antoinette Hamilton | Trust Digital Curriculum Lead | The Stour Academy Trust
Toni, serving as the Trust Digital Curriculum Lead at The Stour Academy Trust, has nearly two decades of rich experience in primary education, with a robust emphasis on harnessing technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences.
Her journey in education is marked by a passionate advocacy for inclusion, accessibility, and equitable opportunities, ensuring every child has the chance to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Beyond her role in the classroom, Toni has been instrumental in mentoring educators across various platforms, imparting her knowledge and expertise to drive forward the integration of technology in education. She has led numerous training sessions for teachers, shared innovative teaching strategies with school and MAT leaders, and extended her support to parents, reinforcing her commitment to a collaborative educational ecosystem where everyone is empowered to thrive.
As a recognised Microsoft Fellow, MIEE and a distinguished ambassador for renowned technology communities, Toni’s contributions reflect a profound dedication to fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. Her engagements are not just about imparting knowledge; they are about creating a dialogue, encouraging critical thinking, and inspiring others to envision and build a future where technology and education converge to unlock unlimited possibilities.
Toni’s ethos is centered around the belief that technology is not just a tool for education, but a catalyst for creating more inclusive, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences. Through her tireless work, she continues to shape an educational landscape that values and nurtures the potential of every learner and educator.
Bo Kelestyn | Associate Professor | Warwick Business School
Bo is a design thinking academic and practitioner with a diverse teaching and scholarship portfolio.
Bo is an Associate Professor and holds multiple student experience and educational leadership roles at the University of Warwick, Warwick Business School.
Bo has designed and led a number of interdisciplinary modules on design thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship, and leads on The Guardian Masterclass on design thinking. Bo is also the creator of the Warwick Secret Challenge, a problem-solving workshop with elements of design thinking, which has become a key methodology to tackle innovation challenges at Warwick through authentic student-staff co-creation.
In May 2022, shortly after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Bo developed a vision for an educational leadership programme. Partnering with the Ukrainian Leadership Academy, Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Digital Transformation, Bo founded the first and only of its kind Masters level programme aimed at nurturing a cadre of educational leaders in Ukraine, supporting the rebuilding of the education system post-victory.
Bo holds several awards for her contributions to teaching and learning at Warwick. Having emerged into educational leadership from her doctoral studies, she was the first ever student to have received the Fellowship of the Warwick International Higher Education Academy (WIHEA), one of the youngest at Warwick to hold the Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), and first at WBS and only one of three at Warwick to hold the Fellowship of Enterprise Educators UK (FEEUK).
Abigail Langridge | Founder | Poppins PA
Diverse to say the least! I fell into being a legal secretary after dropping out of University resulting from my mum moving abroad quite suddenly and me having a nervous breakdown.
I did work as Cabin Crew on the Seacat for a season before I became a Conveyancing secretary.
I bounced around trying to find my feet in a company as well as personally and started to work in the City, at a large law firm.
Over the next 15 years I never really felt `at home` for long but I wouldn`t find out why until I started my own business much later.
My corporate time in the various firms highlighted to me just how much I yearned for the 1:1 support, the earlier days as a Secretary suited me better as I was able to work closer with the Principal and be what I still today perceive to be as a true PA.
Since going it alone, I have worked for a variety of clients; Barristers and Solicitors, property entrepreneurs, C-Suite executives and a wonderful 80year old lady who wins the award for my best ever client! Working alongside her showed me my true potential, opened the doors to how much more I really wanted from my career and how I could help more clients, by offering a variety of services.
I came out of the pandemic thriving and have had to pick myself up countess times, but the resilience and lessons learned enable me to go again!
Usha Kong | Careers & Social Mobility Manager | Tower Hamlets Council
As the Careers & Social Mobility Manager at Tower Hamlets Council, I am privileged to lead transformative initiatives aimed at enriching the lives and futures of young people.
With an unwavering commitment to amplifying social and cultural capital, enhancing employment prospects, and fostering diverse career opportunities, I strive to empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Throughout my diverse 40-year career, I`ve navigated corporate environments, charitable organisations, social enterprises, and the public sector. My journey began in the city, working for the London Stock Exchange and Accenture. However, my true calling emerged in 2003 when I ventured into entrepreneurship, successfully establishing, and managing three businesses, including co-founding a social enterprise dedicated to empowering disengaged and disadvantaged youth.
Over the past two decades, my focus has centred on creating meaningful change and providing guidance to those facing obstacles. My own journey, marked by resilience and unique challenges, serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and determination. It is my passion to inspire and mentor others along similar paths, fostering enduring change and empowerment within our communities.
Maria Violaris | PhD student | University of Oxford
Maria Violaris is a PhD student researching the foundations of quantum information at the University of Oxford, where she works with Chiara Marletto and Vlatko Vedral, after previously graduating with a First Class MPhys degree from the University of Oxford.
Her research interests include quantum thermodynamics, quantum measurement paradoxes, and the locality of quantum theory. Alongside her PhD, Maria works part-time with the IBM Quantum community team. She created a 14-part Qiskit YouTube video series to demystify quantum paradoxes using quantum computing, alongside blogs and code tutorials; made 1-Minute-Qiskit videos; co-hosted the seminar series; and lectured for the Global Summer School. She also writes for Physics World magazine; created and ran the IOP QQQ group “Quantum on the Clock Schools Video Competition”; and founded Oxford University Quantum Information Society. Previously, she did an internship with quantum computing software company Riverlane, where she built a Raspberry Pi Quantum Computing Lab demonstration and video. Maria frequently gives talks for a range of audiences, including researchers, school students, general public and educators, and has run many quantum computing workshops for young female audiences. She has won multiple awards for her research and science communication, and has published research on quantum education.
Marcia Brissett-Bailey | Partnership officer | Diversity and Ability
Marcia is a speaker, writer, and advocate for intersectional neurodiversity inclusion.
A thought leader, Forbes-featured, international speaker, and author of Black, Brilliant, and Dyslexic, Marcia is one of the Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women 2022.
She was named one of the top 133 women who changed the world in 2023 by Diverse In – the Global Diversity and Inclusion Embassy.
Marcia is also featured as a notable dyslexic by Dyslexia Help - The Regents University of Michigan and a Trustee of the British Dyslexia Association.
As a dyslexia advocate and champion, Marcia is passionate about empowering other dyslexic and neurodivergent people to find their voice.
Marcia holds a BSc (Hons) in Information Science, Librarian status, a postgraduate qualification in Career Guidance, a Certificate in person-centred Counselling Skills, a diploma in Specialist Teaching, and an MA in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. With three decades of experience, she has contributed widely to the education sector, specialising in post-16 and higher education and serving as a SEND lead.
Marcia has spent years navigating education and workplace systems by developing strategies to `hack the system.` Embracing self-acceptance and recognising diversity, she aims to empower others to find their voice and cultivate self-love.