Marian Felix | Executive Assistant | Codified
I initially fell into my role as an Executive Assistant to CEO by accident whilst completing my training to be a solicitor and quickly realised that it was more fulfilling and more enjoyable for me to be able to support businesses grow.
I took a leap to freelance work and quickly had more clients and requests than I could handle. And so, I built a team to cover other areas that I’m not able to support with such as Social Media, Graphic Design etc. In less than 12months of starting this journey, I have been recognised by IPSE as a Finalist in their “New Freelancer” category and nominated for “Best New Business Small Business Award” by Women in Business. I’m working with a range of clients looking to build their business I’ve worked with growing companies such as Amplify Creators alongside Jordan Peterson, CEO’s such as Cliff Weitzmann, Ali Abdaal, Jennifer Phan to name a few and most recently, I’m supporting a UN partner who focuses on education and research surrounding sustainability and climate change following doing some volunteer work with the UN for emergency covid relief in Africa during the pandemic.
Stephanie Brooks | Studio Manager | Igloo Regeneration Limited
Starting as an Office Manager at jmarchitects in 2015, I quickly grew the role given to me and assisted my two Directors in the growth of the practice, focussing on creating an office culture in which everyone felt connected and felt as though they had a voice and a part in helping the drive of the company.
I left in 2020, due to the impacts of pandemic, as part of the senior management team (still acting as PA to 2 x Directors) and national bid co-ordinator. Shortly after I started a similar role at Bowker Sadler Architects, acting as PA to 3 x Directors and "Practice Manager". The role allowed for me to create connectivity amongst the team in a period where many were suffering from isolation caused by the lockdown. I implemented regular 1-2-1 meetings with each team members, to allow for an insight into their workload, work stresses and general mental health. This allowed for all team members to feel as though there was an impartial (non-project related) person to offload to as required, and meant that their wellbeing was treated as priority. I also took ownership of the practice's Social Value outputs, acting as a mentor to NEET adults and as a volunteer with a local charity. I was the driving force behind the practice becoming market leaders in Sustainability. I recently moved to Igloo Regeneration Ltd after learning that they are leaders in both SV and sustainability, in order to further achievements I've made.
Jackie Weldon | Executive Support Assistant | PwC
I’ve been in the EA/PA profession for most of my career, starting as a clerical assistant for a global communications company in the customer services department and eventually moving on to become a PA supporting the senior leadership team.
As part of my personal development, I took on the additional role of leading a programme where I was responsible for guiding new recruits through their development journey and allowed me to develop my own authentic leadership style.
I joined PwC in 2019 as a virtual assistant, quickly building strong relationships with peers and colleagues who now trust me for advice and guidance about the role. I work off site providing proactive support to Partners and Directors, with responsibility for managing my own workload, acting with autonomy, and using my initiative to provide an enhanced experience internally and for clients.
I’ve continued to build my understanding of the business and culture of the company whilst learning new ways of working. I get involved in projects where I can leverage my strengths and learn new skills.
In 2020 I led a team of fellow PAs to design and deliver a virtual digital summit, creating an environment and space where my team were empowered to be creative and curious, expanding their knowledge and stretching themselves further than they believed possible to achieve incredible results.
I ensured my team understood what was expected of them and that they were fully engaged in delivering the best possible outcomes.
Caroline Rees Williams | Operations Manager and Exec Assistant | The Valesco Group
Ms Rees Williams is currently Operations Manager and Executive Assistant to the CEO at The Valesco Group, responsible for operations and infrastructure.
Prior to joining Valesco, she worked at an award-winning international hospitality company within the Executive Team, where she managed the global headquarters across operations, finance and HR. Prior to this, she worked for a boutique executive search company, where she project-managed senior searches within the private equity and venture capital industries. Ms. Rees Williams holds a BSc. (Hons) Economics from the University of Birmingham.
Amber L'Oste-Brown | Executive Assistant | IFS UK LTD
Amber is a senior Executive Assistant with over twelve years' experience supporting Senior Executives at C-Suite, Director and Group Chairman level across the Charity, Corporate and Private sectors.
Amber currently works as an Executive Assistant providing a high level of support to the Chief Commercial Officer and the General Manager for Enterprise Asset Management at IFS UK Ltd. Previously, Amber worked as an Executive Assistant at Rentokil Initial (FTSE 50 company) supporting multiple Senior Executives including the Chief Marketing, Innovation & Strategy Officer (who was awarded the Marketing Week's Top 100 Marketers in the UK 2021 & 2022) and completed a nine-month secondment as a Project Manager.
Prior to that, Amber was a Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive of WWF-UK, the global conservation charity and a Personal Assistant to the Group Chairman of The Trevellyan Group (HNWI).
Amber has a degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Portsmouth, is a Fellow of the Executive & Personal Assistants Association (EPAA) and a Member of the Strategic PA Network. Amber also owns a small bespoke floristry & home decor online business, loves to travel and is a keen amateur photographer.
Symone Zelkin | Executive Assistant to the CEO | Three UK
I started my career as an Admin Assist at a small print ad agency and am now the EA to the CEO of Three UK.
I have been fortunate enough to work in media, fashion, finance, motor racing/cycling and now technology. These differing worlds areas have given me a huge scope to be a well rounded, highly experienced and unflappable EA, doing a role I love, and sharing that with others.
Rita Corbo | PA | Direct Line Group
I have been working as a PA for over 20 years in various industries including Property, Finance, Law, Entertainment and Insurance.
The role requires the need to be constantly adaptable.
Natalie Gaynor | EA | RBC
After studying Journalism at college, I decided it wasn’t for me and I took my Mum’s advice to go and get a job in the ‘Square Mile’.
Starting my career as an office junior at an insurance broker, before working my way up the secretarial ladder to supporting the CEO at insurance broker SBJ for ten years, before the company was sold to AXA. During this time, I was involved in all stages of the buy-out. I also supported the CEO with his private businesses, a small-scale aviation business, consulting, underwriting and NED positions/chairmanships.
Then followed working at Phoenix Group, EA to Group Head of HR and Executive Committee member, becoming more involved on the HR side of the business, including onboarding, dealing with commercially sensitive and private information internally and externally. It was a very deal driven role.
I am now EA to the Chief Risk Officer for RBC in Europe, who has oversight for Asia and Head of Group Risk Management for RBC Wealth Management, Insurance and Investor & Treasury Services and I assist a Board member. The CRO is a member of many boards and committees, meaning I work in a fast-paced environment with ever changing demands, problem solving and juggling expectations, including, extensive travel arrangements and meeting scheduling within multiple time-zones. My remit continues to increase as I show what I am capable of and a willingness to take on more responsibility.
I have always worked in Financial Services and am glad I took Mum’s advice.
Jenna Amos | PA to Chief Of Investment Officer | Lloyd's Of London
I first started off as a 18 year old college leaver not knowing what to do in the city. I spent my first few years learning on how insurance works.
Over time I knew that I wanted to further my career in organisation & planning.
I was in an admin role at another brokers around 21 years old in which helped me push my way into the role I have been wanting to lead up to. I took a leap around 24 years old & temped for over 8 weeks as a PA to a CEO. I will always be grateful for that role as it helped me develop more skills & more experience. I will never be afraid of taking risks like that again, risks can definitely pay off!
My current role is supporting the Chief Investment Officer & the treasury investment management team here at Lloyd's. When my fellow pa's are away I step in & support The Head of Tax , Chief Market Officer, The Head of Audit & the Global Chief Financial Officer. I enjoy this a lot, I get to meet all different people & end up learning more things on a day to day basis.
I also now Co-Chair the PA Network at Lloyd's. I only begun back in February 2023 but have been a member of the network since March 2022. I have been very excited to take on this role as I am very passionate about this group & keen to make a difference.
I am proud of my career.
Freya Robertson | Chief of Staff to CEO/ Previously Executive Assistant | Progeny
I started as a PA at 16, supporting a female property developer and fell in love with the role.
It is not a role that is championed at school, and given my educational background, was encouraged to University to pursue a 'proper career'. I left University and didn't know what to do. I naturally fell back into doing something I loved and haven't looked back since. This 'proper career' has offered me so much experience within small start up organisations like Comply Direct, alongside large Corporates such as John Lewis and Grant Thornton.
Eventually this led me to my role at Progeny supporting our CEO, who didn’t initially want any support. This quickly developed and I am now part of the Management & Executive Board, supporting him at a strategic level. I have been heavily involved with the project management of numerous high-profile projects, including the company’s recent capital investment from Further Global Capital Management, reorganisational structure with PWC and have recently been promoted to Chief of Staff to the CEO.
Through my continued career I hope to champion the role and have regularly spoken on external interviews, podcasts and written articles to help to profile the value it can bring, alongside key attributes; Emotional Intelligence. To me, the relationship building has enabled me to influence business decisions and shape positive transformation.
I act as a mentor to other young females looking to embark on their career and am undertaking a coaching qualification to further my specialism and support wider communities.