Season’s Greetings from the Strategic PA Network ???

Welcome to the December edition of the #StrategicPASeries newsletter - your go-to update on everything happening in our vibrant community!

We’re celebrating the highlights of the unforgettable Strategic PA Network Awards, honouring our amazing winners and everyone who contributed to making the evening so special. But there’s more! We’ll reflect on inspiring events that explored topics like Imposter Syndrome, showcased stunning venues such as The Crown Inn and fostered meaningful conversations across our network.

Plus, we’re revealing the results of our latest Strategic PA poll, sharing 'top tech tips' to make life easier during the festive season and sprinkling in a touch of festive cheer to round off the year in style. #BringOnHolidaySeason

So, grab a cosy drink and join us as we toast to a remarkable few months and look ahead to an even brighter 2025! ????

And the winners are… Celebrating the 2024 Strategic PA Awards!

Last month, we gathered for the unforgettable 2024 Strategic PA Network Awards - an evening of inspiration, celebration and connection. The energy in the room was electric as our incredible nominees, finalists and winners were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the Business Support industry.

We’re proud to share this year’s winners, each exemplifying the very best of our remarkable community:

• Assistant of the Year – Jenna Feltwell (Softcat)
• Virtual Assistant of the Year – Leeanne Adu FEPAA (Leave it with Lava)
• Virtual Assistant Associate of the Year – Kirsty Walton (What's Next)
• Chief of Staff of the Year – Rachel Townend (Illuminate Financial)
• Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year – Tracey Fraser (Intermediate Capital Group)
• Networker of the Year – Susana Monteiro FInstAM (Altman Solon)
• Venue of the Year – Great Fosters Hotel & Restaurants, Egham (Claire Brewers)
• Supplier of the Year – The Headshot Guy (John Cassidy【ツ】 )
• External PA Network of the Year – PA Forum ( Daniel Skermer )
• Internal PA Network of the Year – Vodafone (Deborah Bovingdon , Kelly-Anne Wrightson , Katie Bonar , Janice Arnold)
• Star of the Future Award – Francesca Paine (John Lewis & Partners)
• Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award – Bonnie Low-Kramen

Congratulations to all our nominees and winners... you’ve set the bar high for next year! We’d also like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the evening possible…

? Huge thanks to the incredible Bonnie Low-Kramen for inspiring us with her powerful keynote on 'Embracing Courage' and for her unwavering dedication to the Business Support industry, a moment we’ll never forget!

?A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors for making the 2024 Strategic PA Network Awards an unforgettable evening! We’re so grateful to have worked with:

• Headline Sponsor: The Grove , Herts (Michael Cloke , Ranjna Kashyap )
• Platinum Sponsor: Beagle Create ( Darren Goss , Marc Stapleton )
• Gold Sponsors: Boom Software (Russ Whitlock ) and Bonnie Low-Kramen

Together, we’ve achieved so much this year, and we can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish in 2025!?

?A HUGE thank you to our esteemed judges for our 2024 Strategic PA Network Awards – we are so grateful for your time, insights and dedication! Please know that it is very much appreciated by the whole Strategic PA Team.

Amanda Downs, Amanda Johnson, Beth Aarons, Claire Bewers, Dannielle Haig (HCPC, MBPsS), Darren Goss, David Roylance, Diana Brandl, Helen Bolton, Helen Monument, Jane Drysdale, Jeremy Costa, Jeremy Warrillow, Jo Brianti, Kathleen Drum, Kevin Winchester, Lindsay Taylor FInstAM, Lisa Farnfield, Michael Cloke, Mike Ford, Naomi Riches MBE PLY DL Hon DUniv (BNU), Nicole Bearne, Simone White, FEPAA, FInstAM and Susan Brogan.

?We’re so very grateful to all our partner suppliers too:

Voucherline.com ???, Fortnum & Mason ??, Prescott's Chocolate ??, Institute of Directors (IoD) ???, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) ??, Fourleaf Events ??, Ellevate Entertainment Ltd. ??, The PA Show ??, Beagle Create ??, Koffee Klatch ?, Executive Support Media ??, KDM Events ??, WA-Alliance ??, GAUCHO ??, Your Excellency Limited ??, TreatYourStaff ??, and The Headshot Guy ??.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication and for being an integral part of our journey. Here’s to the power of collaboration and shared success!

? A heartfelt thank you to our charity partners. These organisations embody the spirit of transformation and resilience:

• Bounce Forward : Empowering young people through resilience education, helping them thrive in a changing world.?
• Smart Works Reading : Supporting women with the confidence and tools to re-enter the workforce.?
• Isipo Admin: Providing mentorship and administrative support to underserved communities in Africa.?

Thank you to everyone who donated prizes, placed bids and celebrated with us. Your support didn’t just make the evening unforgettable,? it created real impact for these charities and the lives they touch. ??

? Finally, another big thank you to our Strategic PA Network Committee Members who supported, judged and made this events a huge success: Alex Foster AEPAA, Ann-Marie Brennand, Ayesha McKinson, Claire Ennion, Corinna Henry, Craig Bryson FEPAA, Daisy Spragg, Dani Williams, Gilly Mulford - FInstAM, Helen Rees, Kathy Soulsby, Karen Harris, Kelly Stamp, Kim Togneri FEPAA, Lisa Glowacki, Rachel Elewe, Samina Azam, Sandrine Shai, Tracey Halsey, Winnie King

Here’s to everyone who contributed to making the 2024 Strategic PA Network Awards a truly unforgettable celebration... your support, energy and dedication made it all possible! ??

Let the festive cheer begin…

The festive spirit is in full swing with decorations, ads and Mariah Carey taking over the airwaves. We’re absolutely loving the Jo Malone London x The Grove collaboration!

We were also thrilled to attend the TAG Christmas party at The Langham, London? - looking mighty gorgeous and all Christmassy ?????

The evening was a perfect celebration of teamwork and respect, and a big thank you to Team TAG for an unforgettable night filled with passion, fun and festive cheer.?

Executive Assistant role available through Strategic PA Recruitment…

Strategic PA Recruitment - SPECIALIST EA/PA AGENCY is hiring a full-time, permanent Executive Assistant for a medical-tech client based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, with some flexibility to work from home. Salary: ￡40,000 to ￡45,000 (DOE).

This role involves providing comprehensive support to the Managing Director, requiring strong business acumen, discretion and collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team.

For details, contact Sarah Howson, Marianne Whitlock, or Savanna Skeath (Ref EA1052). Level 4 on the Global Skills Matrix.

Our latest Strategic PA event highlights…

Here’s what’s been happening across our Strategic PA Network events over the past few months:

• Last month, we hosted an intimate breakfast networking event at Melia White House, exploring 'Building Your Resilience Tool-kit in the C-suite.' Our incredible panel - Ayesha McKinson , Julie Martin, Rebecca Holliday and Winnie King - shared powerful stories and practical advice on resilience, adaptability and the importance of self-care and support networks.?

• In our November Power Hour, Vicky Pitchers shared invaluable insights on tackling Imposter Syndrome. Attendees left inspired to reframe self-doubt, acknowledge their achievements, and embrace their value as business support professionals. Thank you to Vicky and everyone who joined this empowering session! ???

• It was a pleasure reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new people at last month’s Strategic PA Networking event! Discussions about the evolving role of EAs, the importance of a supportive network, and career progression were truly inspiring. Special thanks to The Crown Inn for hosting, Chris Wheeler for the incredible food, and Tony K. Silver for sharing LinkedIn tips. Thank you to all who attended, making it a memorable and impactful evening! ??

Results from our latest Strategic PA Poll…

In our recent poll, our community shared the one skill they’d like to focus on developing in 2025.?

The results reveal that 36% of Executive Assistants are prioritising the development of financial and business acumen in 2025. This focus highlights the growing importance of understanding budgets, financial strategies, and the broader business landscape. With the role of EAs evolving, having strong financial literacy enables them to make more informed decisions, contribute strategically, and support leadership in navigating complex business environments.?

Upcoming events for your diary...

Will you be joining us? Here’s what’s to come over the next few months…

• Friday, 6th December: Online Power Hour - ?'Laugh and Learn: Executive Assistants' Guide to Fun Team Building and Stress-Free Event Planning' with Aaron Betesta.
• Friday, 17th January: Online Power Hour - ‘Emotional Resilience for EAs: Leading with Compassion in High-Pressure Environments' with Nick Elston.
• Thursday, 23rd January: In person event - ‘C-Suite Confidence’ with Jo Reeves at Melia White House.
• Friday, 7th February: Online Power Hour - 'Empowering Executive Assistants: Be Visible, Be Valued, Be Indispensable' with David Roylance.
• Wednesday 19th March: In person event at The Standard, London - ‘The Power of Impact’ with Em Stroud .
• SAVE THE DATE for our 2025 Learning and Development Summit. ?? Off the back of our hugely successful event this year, we will be back again at Great Fosters Hotel & Restaurants on 18th June, 2025. Watch this space for more details.?

Tickets to all above events available here.

Tech Tips Teaser… what’s to come next year!

In our upcoming Strategic PA Series, we’re sharing the best tech tools to streamline your work in 2025! From Canva for creating eye-catching designs, to ChatGPT and CoPilot for AI-powered content and idea generation, we’ve got you covered. Learn how tools like Trello and Calendly can keep your projects and calendar organized, while LastPass ensures your security. Plus, hear insights from our Committee Members and Speakers on their go-to tech!

Stay tuned for more tips to enhance your productivity and efficiency in the year ahead.

Hot off the press…!

We are delighted to have contributed to Executive Support Magazine, sharing our insights on crafting standout CVs that reflect your career journey and strengths. This issue is packed with valuable articles for Business Support professionals, and we’re proud to be featured alongside industry thought leaders.

Explore expert advice on everything from career development to leveraging technology in this must-read publication. Interested in subscribing? Contact: [email protected].

As 2024 draws to a close, we want to thank our incredible community for your support, enthusiasm, and engagement this year. Together, we’ve achieved so much, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!

Keep an eye out for our Highlights of the Year newsletter, coming your way during Twixmas.... that special time between Christmas and New Year.

Until then, we wish you a very Merry Christmas filled with joy, laughter and love.

Warmest wishes,

Sarah & Marianne xx ???