In 2015, thanks to the help of a number of amazing supporters and sponsors, WeAreTheCity ran the first of its Rising Star awards programmes. The aim of the awards was to identify 50 future leaders and role models under a management level across 10 different industries. After a staggering amount of nominations and an intensive judging period, we finally arrived at our shortlist and opened the public vote. The public vote resulted in over 15,000 votes from across 112 different countries and galvanized amazing support from our nominees’ networks, their companies, the press, as well as our own sponsors and supporters. After a final judging process, we identified our amazing top 50 winners and celebrated their awards alongside our sponsors, friends and supporters at the House of Commons in September.

Angela CookeFirst, we speak with Angela Cooke of PwC , who was one of our winners of Rising Stars in HR, sponsored by Twenty Recuruitment.

Angela, please tell us what has happened in your career since winning the Rising Star awards back in September?  

A lot has happened for me since winning the Rising Stars awards. First of all, it was announced within PwC’s HR department and across the organisation.

I have also been up to lots of great stuff – I have led the launch of Back to Business, PwC’s return to work programme for women who have been out of the workplace for more than two years. This has resulted in significant press coverage externally and has resulted in raising my profile; internally within the firm at a board level and externally through other organisations, particularly as PwC is only one of nine other organisations to launch such a programme.

What top tips would you give to our other members to enhance their careers?
  • Network, network, network!!
  • Get a sponsor. I was put forward for this award because I had fantastic sponsorship from Andy Woodfield. His support, along with WeAreTheCity, has been incredible. Thank you so much.

Donna OlliverNext, we talk to Donna Olliver of KPMG, one of our winners of our EA/PA Rising Stars category, which was sponsored by Barclays.

Donna, what has happened since winning your Rising Star award in September?

Since the awards, both Caroline Renouf and I were covered within the Guernsey Press. I was asked to write an article for Real Careers: Exceptional EA. I’m still mentoring in the office and Caroline and I are thinking on how we can give back next year. I think winning the award has given me more confidence.

So what top tips would you give to our other members to enhance their careers?
  •  Don’t be afraid to ask for training. The world is changing so fast that if you don’t keep up, you will be left behind.
  • Have a mentor, it doesn’t matter if you are new to the role or if you have been in it for years. There are still things that you can learn from others.
  • Join a PA network. It gives you a chance to meet fellow PA’s in your area and you can learn, network and support each other. It’s a great thing to be part of.

WeAreTheCity would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of our Rising Stars for sharing their successes with us. We are sure you will agree that they are all achieving amazing things and offering sound advice to future Rising Stars.

We look forward to featuring more of our rising stars next week. Please note our Rising Star programme for 2016 opens on 1st February 2016. More details will be posted to the site during January – click here for more information and to register your interest in our awards