This podcast is dedicated to the Executive Assistant profession, hosted by Victoria Wratten and Anel Martin. This podcast is designed for the outliers, the assistants who are leveling up in their careers. No nonsense content, benchmarking and trends as well as interesting interviews with inspirational assistants.
Fiona Young is a breath of fresh air to the assistant profession in terms of professional development! She is a former EA turned digital learning leader.
Carve is building the next generation of AI-powered executive assistants. They offer exciting new AI courses for assistants |
We touch on numerous points:
· Growing up with technologist parents and the positive impact of this
· Undertaking a degree in economics, the lack of jobs but the positive outcome to this
· From admin professional to learning and development professional - building start up programmes for global corporates
· L&D: Fiona's methos for learning, why most corporate learning spend is wasted
· Revolution vs Evolution of the roles
· Startling discoveries from assistants and how much they really know about AI
· Future of EA role in the age of AI: evolution and revolution, there will be winners and losers, tips to win
Learn more about Carve here.
Free Carve AI Tools Guide for Assistants: https://joincarve.com/tools-signup
· Free Carve Chatbot Prompting Guide for Assistants: https://joincarve.com/chatbots-guide-signup
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website
We are excited to welcome international trainer, coach and mentor - Ruth Kilah of Hoxton Hyde.
We talk about a LOT of different topics and Ruth's views are refreshing and innovative.
Learn more about Hoxton Hydes services here
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
After a summer break, we are back and delighted to welcome Jess Gardiner, Founder of The Assistant Room.
Our discussion is varied and may be considered controversial at times:
This is an episode not to be missed!
The Assistant Room is an exclusive global lifestyle and professional development platform dedicated to improving the lives and developing the careers of Business Support Professionals around the world. Established in 2016, we provide accessible and all-inclusive learning and support for professionals at every stage from entry level admins to Chief of Staff and beyond through a variety of interactive materials including our exclusive, members-only platform.
Find out more about The Assistant Room here
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
EDI is a top priority for most leadership teams, but how many are really driving through culture change?
This weeks interview discusses exactly this and all things EDI and why is should matter to every business and executive support professional.
Natasha is the founder and Director of Diverse Matters. She is responsible for the overall running of the company and for the design and delivery of a range of diversity and inclusion solutions for clients across the voluntary, public, third and private sectors.
Natasha has over 25 years’ experience of working within the diversity and inclusion field, and prior to setting up Diverse Matters and was the Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for Victim Support.
We talk about what has changed since the pandemic and what organisations need to focus on going forward.
The UK EA/PA industry still has an extensive amount of work to undertake before we are truly inclusive and we touch on this too.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
Alex Leigh is a new addition to the board of EPAA and an ambitious millennial Executive Assistant, with over 13 years experience under her belt.
A former quantitative market researcher focusing on fast-moving consumer goods, Alex’s love for sport and excellent administration brought her to the sport sector nearly 14 years ago, and the start of her administrative career.
We of course discuss Alex's career change and her learnings from this, as well as her huge appetite for learning and development and why this matters.
Alex's current employer is Sport England. Sport England are an arms-length body of government responsible for growing and developing grassroots sport and getting more people active across England.
We discuss the fact that millennial and Gen Z assistants have had so little profile within the EA/PA world, despite the former now being one of the largest voting populations in the UK!
This is a super interesting story, inspiring and we of course have some laughs along the way.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
This weeks interview is with the incredible Sarah Howson.
Sarah is Co Founder and Director of The Strategic PA Network & Strategic PA Recruitment.
We chat to Sarah about her career story, but with a big chunk of her early childhood spent living in the USA , before coming back to the UK and continuing her education.
Sarah talks through
Learn more about The Strategic PA Awards here.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
Dalya is an award-winning Executive Assistant with over 15 years of progressive experience within the EA/PA industry and also EPAA's new chair.
She has been EA to a high profile/high net worth Entrepreneur & Philanthropist since 2010 and has since been promoted to Director.
In 2013, she was 1st runner up in the Executive PA Magazine PA of the Year Awards and in 2014 won the Pitman Training Super Achievers PA of the Year Award. This has allowed Dalya to be invited as a guest speaker for many PA networking and training events throughout the UK and Internationally.
Outside of work, Dalya is professional singer, mum of 2 boys and a School Governor at her Son’s Primary School. In 2014, Dalya proudly raised over £9500 for charity by running 2 half marathons and successfully climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
We talk to her about how she manages a hectic life, her passion for singing, changing direction career wise and why the perception of the profession is so important.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
This weeks episode is with incredible Emily Broadbent of the UK charity Pregnant then Screwed.
Pregnant then Screwed was set up in 2015 by Joeli Brearley. Two days after she informed her employer that she was pregnant with her first child, Joeli Brearley was sacked from her job by voicemail. She was four months pregnant and unemployed with bills to pay. She knew this wasn't a unique experience.
The charity is dedicated to ending the motherhood penalty, supporting tens of thousands of women each year, and successfully campaigning for change.
Emily is the Support Services Manager for the charity and we talk through
Mental Health Line
In partnership with MIND, Pregnant Then Screwed set up a mental health support line for women experiencing challenges in the workplace and needing a safe space to talk. To speak with one of the mental health support team, call 0161 222 9879 and dial 2. This will transfer you to one of the team at MIND.
Women in the WorkplacePTS are releasing training for employers to help support those undergoing fertility treatment or who have experienced pregnancy loss. Please click here for more information and how you can help.
Find out more information about Pregnant then Screwed and how you can get support or support for a colleague/family or friend here.
Welcome to this next episode of the show!
This weeks guest is the incredible Clare Hall, who currently works for Arup.
Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of designers, consultants and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to be both humane and excellent, we collaborate with our clients and partners using imagination, technology and rigour to shape a better world.
We discuss Clare's entire career and life along the way.
Follow the Sheffield PA Network LinkedIn Page here.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
Julie Perrine is an executive assistant turned CEO and the founder of All Things Admin. She is also an enthusiastic trainer, author, Certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Administrator, perpetual planner, longtime thimble collector, and adoring aunt.
As an advocate of the administrative profession, Julie encourages admins to be prepared, hone their skills, and always keep their minds open to new career opportunities.
This is another action packed interview covering an incredible amount!
Learn more about All Things Admin here
Join Julie's Free 5 day challenge on 'Design your Personal Career Plan' here.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
This is a hugely inspiring and motivating interview with the incredible Daniel Skermer, Founder of the West Midlands PA Forum.
We cover a LOT! This episode is packed with a mammoth story of hard graft, being completely unapologetic and your authentic self.
Learn more about the PA Forum here.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
Ngagementworks was created by Nick, based on over 20 years experience of leading and working with teams throughout the world. Nick is passionate about helping both individuals and teams achieve the success they deserve and do this, by facilitating engaging workshops and delivering motivational presentations at conferences.
In this episode we take Nick back to when he left school at 16 and landed at Barclays Bank, where he eventually became a Director of Change.
Learn more about Ngagement Works here
Buy Nick's Book - Team, Lead and Succeed here.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
Mairi is a Personal Impact Expert and CEO of Scene Change Creative Consultants Ltd, global providers of bespoke people development initiatives across the sectors. Founder of the UK Houses of Parliament cross sector Mentoring Programme, Storytelling Expert for the European Women In Leadership Programme at Coca Cola and founder of the Graduate Professional Consultant Programme for Oracle.
Mairi specialises in face to face and online coaching sessions on Communication Skills, Resilience, Confidence and Body Language, Impact and Influencing, Presentation Skills, Coaching, Managing People Through Change, Unconscious Bias, Emotional Intelligence and delivers high level role-play sessions on Client Relationship Building – enabling delegates to credentialise themselves and their firm and confidently position themselves as a trusted advisor.
As a trained professional actress and BBC TV presenter, Mairi uses her skills to enable individuals and groups to communicate and present better, increase visibility and align personal branding to organisational values. As a motivational speaker she gives practical sessions on confidence and influencing skills combining her theatrical training with modern business psychology.
We cover a lot in this episode!
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
We are excited to be joined by Ben Stevenson on this episode of The Assistant Lab.
Ben is Chief of Staff at North East Headquartered Bloom Procurement Services.
Over the last 10 years, he has built an exciting career in operational and C-Suite support roles than have allowed him to live and work in all four corners of the UK and embed the unique skills and experiences from each into his role today.
Driven by Bloom’s purpose, Ben is motivated to make the company’s strategic goals and objectives by doing whatever it takes to bridge the gap from thought to reality, including in his role where he leads Bloom’s sustainability agenda.
Ben is passionate about the executive and business support industry and has worked with several PA & EA networking groups, talking, and raising awareness of key issues, such as toxic perfectionism, the role of the male EA in the industry and the future of the Executive Assistant profession.
A 2021 EA of the Year finalist, he has a solid appreciation and understanding of how recognising outstanding executive and business support professionals play a major part in the evolution of perception and respect for the industry.
We also get an opportunity to talk through the Chief of Staff role in-depth and how assistants can really make a move to this role.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
If you are a paying EPAA member, you can earn 2 PD credits by listening to this episode of The Assistant Lab and submitting your L & D form in the members area of the EPAA website.
We are super excited to release this episode of The Assistant Lab, with one of the UK's most inspiring assistants!
Big words, but 100% the truth.
Leeanne Adu is a former Executive Assistant, who is award winning and spent most of her career in the UK Third Sector.
She has achieved a huge amount, under really challenging and exceptional circumstances.
Special Lee (you will find out more in the podcast why she had this nickname) doesn't hold back during this interview and is completely honest about what worked and hasn't during her professional career.
Why she didn't stay with employers who didn't recognise her worth and making the switch to running a highly successful Virtual Assistant Firm.
This episode comes with a trigger warning, as we discuss topics:
· Racism and the UK
· Mental Health and specifically around suicidal thoughts
· Traumatic pregnancy/labour
· Being diagnosed with Breast Cancer and her journey through treatment
· Anorexia and Obesity - which leads to Body Confidence and Leeanne taking part in two high profile campaigns with Pretty Little Thing and Primark for women who have dealt with cancer
**Resources:
Nazir Afzal Book: The Race to the Top - How to fight institutional racism*Reni Eddo- Lodge:* Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race Girl vs Cancer: https://girlvscancer.co.uk/**
Check out Leeanne's company here.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
We are delighted to welcome Abigail Langridge to this weeks episode.
Abigail is the Founder and Owner of Poppins PA. A private Personal Assistant company which supports business people and their families. They work with you & not for you. Being on your side, making suggestions, using our initiative & judgement to help you succeed & flourish in your world.
We alleviate that ‘noise’ that you carry around with you, all those things that keep you awake at night.
Abigail didn't intend to become an assistant. Indeed, she was in the middle of a law degree which she decided wasn't for her, so she quit university and decided to put what skills she already had to good use.
She then embarked on a career as a Legal PA, which ultimately took her to London working for various firms.
She then became a Mum to three children and by her third child realised she was bored, unchallenged and felt like her life was going nowhere.
An ambitious individual from a young age, she had always thought about being her own boss and running her own company... which is where Poppins PA begun.
We also talk through making the transition from PA to self employment, which many assistants find actually very tough. A great business idea which never really took off, to working as a private PA and one client who had the biggest impact on her life - which ultimately led to Poppins PA.
Abigail is candid, inspiring, motivating and is an open book as far as what has worked and what hasn't... and why she will never stop reaching and turning her dreams into a reality.
In addition to her work life, Abigail discovered a passion for running, which the whole family is with involved now. This came about with joining the now nationally known organisation - Park Run. In fact Abi and her husband are both training to run the London Marathon right now!
Enjoy!
Learn more about Poppins PA here - https://poppins-pa.com/
Learn more about Park Run here - https://www.parkrun.org.uk/
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
What can we say about the amazing Gill Quirk!?!
Gill has recently retired after a 40 year career at the Ministry of Defence and arguably one of the most famous Assistants to come out of the UK Civil Service!
Born in the Isle of Man, Gill started her career there with local government, before making the bold move to London and commencing what was to be an awe inspiring career with the MoD.
Gill's career as an assistant at the Mod meant she got the opportunity work in Cairo, New Delhi, Athens and Kula Lumpur before returning to London.
Gill commenced networking with other assistants in other industries, spoke at PA conferences and events and set up the SW1 PA Network - for assistants across the Civil Service.
Recently Gill retired and talks us through how she planned for that moment and why she has completely changed her life, including moving across the UK.
This is truly a special episode from an excellent EA, who upheld the highest professional standards at all times.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
Welcome to the next episode of The Assistant Lab.
We invited top recruiter, Kam Vara from Katie Bard Recruitment to come and talk all things recruitment.
We discussed her background from completing a law degree to finding her perfect profession in recruitment.
Kam has been at Katie Bard Recruitment for over 20 years. Katie Bard is based in Birmingham. They recruit permanent and temporary staff across the Midlands for a full range of office support and executive roles.
We cover a multitude of topics within this lively discussion:
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
Welcome to the next episode of The Assistant Lab!
Wow - is one word to describe this amazing interview with Shirwyn.
Shirwyn talks us through his extraordinary career to date, which included being the first man and first person of colour to win the South African PA of the Year award in 2019.
We also discuss the impact of the Not Just a Girls Job campaign, an EPAA UK campaign to look at the gender split between male vs females in the roles.
As someone who has moved from South Africa to the UK in recent years, we also talk through the incredible observations Shirwyn has made between the two countries and this profession.
Also touching upon the 'Chief of Staff' job title, in addition to grabbing those professional development opportunities and being resourceful, even in challenging times.
There are a lot of golden nuggets in this episode.
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
Welcome to another episode of The Assistant Lab!
This time we are joined by Fiona Shea, EA to Sir Nigel Wilson, Group CEO of Legal & General.
Legal & General are a leading UK financial services provider, offering life insurance, pensions, retirement and investment services.
Fiona has had such an interesting career to date. We chatted through her entire journey, including being an assistant at Enron when they collapsed and made worldwide business news!
A short period of being out of work followed, before making her next move to PWC, which provided amble opportunity to grow her skill set an assistant.
She then tried out a few other roles, some of which were in different sectors. Culminating with her joining Legal & General, who she speaks so highly of and is the perfect culture fit for her.
Fiona talks us through the trials and tribulations of her career, periods of reflection and why she decided that being an assistant in the financial sector is her happy place professionally.
Another episode not to be missed!
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
Julie Burns has had a really interesting career, starting as an Office Junior in 1988, to her current role at Glasgow Caledonian University.
We talk to Julie about her career journey and why she made some of the decisions she made, to what makes her really tick at work and in life.
Julie also gives her thoughts on what we need to do as a profession to attract the younger generations, recruitment and confidence for those already in a business support role.
This is a seriously inspiring interview, from someone who has made good career moves and been methodical about her learning and development. 0
You can listen to The Assistant Lab show on any of the following links below:
You can also watch this content on YouTube
Find out more Anel Martin Training Here and EPAA Here
It is not often you get to hear from the founder and all-round star of the Scottish PA Network! She is known as being someone who is incredibly hard working but very much behind the scenes.
The Scottish PA Network is one of the longest running PA networks in the UK and is highly successful , but what is the back story that led Rosemary McLennan to founding this amazing network and where did she start her career?
She graduated with a communications degree and had wanted to work in television and production from the age of 8! Rosemary also had a stint as a Personal Assistant herself, before going into the hospitality industry.
We discuss so much including:
This is one of the most fascinating and inspiring stories that hasn't often been heard in the UK EA/PA industry!
Enjoy!
Learn more about the Scottish PA Network here.
Learn more about EPAA here.
Learn more about Anel Martin Coaching & Training here.
Ayca Ilcen is one of those gems in the UK EA/PA industry and we are so pleased to be able to share her career story!
Ayca currently works as EA to the CEO of Trust for London, a charity which works on some of London's most pressing social issues, aiming to improve the lives of Londoners by increasing pay, reducing costs of living and supporting community groups to thrive. Find out more about them here.
Ayca had an interesting start to her career after completing her University degree and has spent most of her career in the c-suite providing Executive Support to British charities.
This is one such item we talk with Ayca extensively about - why do we not see more PAs from the charity (third sector) profiled, on awards shortlists or even on conference programmes?
This is a candid chat with an incredible Executive Assistant, one who still has even more to give to the UK profession!
Find out more about EPAA here.
Find out more about Anel Martin Coaching and Training here.
In this epidsode we talk to the remarkable Hannah Gough. An incredible journey with lots of lessons along the way and many pearls of wisdom to share.
We talk about people management, interviews, temp positions and so much more.
Thank you Hannah for a superb interview
To find out more about the co-hosts please visit our respective websites
Victoria Wratten of EPAA - https://epaa.org.uk/
Anel Martin - http://www.anelmartin.co.za/
If you enjoyed this episode please help us spread the word to your network and join us again next time
In this episode we discuss the recent news from the Bank of England, that the UK is due to go into recession in the latter part of this year.
We talk tough on the practical realities of charging your career through tough economic times. The difficult times some will be facing with inevitable layoffs that will happen in some sectors and how to start building some mental resilience to charge through this tricky period.
With some hard hitting tips on being more strategic and savvy, and why assistants need to start to get a bit more selfish!
There is also a very special offer from Anel Martin too - so listen out for the special this and the code.
Find out more about EPAA here.
Find out more about Anel Martin Training & Coaching here.
In this first episode we interview the lovely Katie McEwan about her incredible career journey to date and she shares some wonderful advice on career and mindset.
From an interesting start of her working career, over 10 years as Jacqueline Gold’s Assistant, then transitioning to Business Affairs and Communications Manager, (still for Ann Summers). She shares how being an EA prepared her for her current role and has great insights into the behaviours of a top tier assistant.
We hope you will enjoy this episode
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