PA PROFILE
why he has been so successful over the years; he’s down to earth, genuine and charismatic
Flex appeal In many ways, managing Nicky’s schedule is an exten- sion of organising her own. She admits to giving false times for dinner engagements in the knowledge that her boss and partner may overrun! “I think that’s what hap- pens when you’re a people person – inevitably you get waylaid,” Kelly begins. “That’s why clients love him though, and probably why he has been so successful over the years; he’s down to earth, genuine and charismatic. And he won’t leave a person’s hair until it is absolutely right – even if that need for perfection does sometimes mean it’s difficult to tie him to a schedule! “But he’s business-minded, undoubtedly, and has a clear and focused vision. This industry demands a large degree of flexibility though and I think, between us, we have found the right combination. At the end of the day you just can’t be too regimented – you’d never survive!”
Budgets and blowdrys And Kelly’s tasks are rarely dull – a relaxed and genial person, she insists the best solution to work stress is staying organised. And that’s no mean feat when it includes manning the office, responding to emails and written requests, dealing with bookings and arranging the many commitments that Nicky has outside of the salon. Kelly will also look over bank statements and finances, and deal with invitations. “Once the morning stuff is done I’ll head to the salon
for my appointments! It’s busy, but rarely unexciting. And it’s for this buzz that I wanted to be involved in the hairdressing industry. There’s obviously all of the glam- our that goes with it, but having previously worked in fund management in the City, I wanted a new challenge and something that would really mean each day was exciting and an experience.” It’s not been without its challenges though. When
Kelly was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis she feared it may spell the end of her time in the salon. “I’m lucky to have someone as understanding as Nicky,” Kelly is quick to point out. “Obviously I was worried where my career would go when I was diagnosed with the condi- tion. I’d already experienced some fantastic things – hav- ing worked with some incredible names in London and even travelled to Madrid to blow dry the Duchess of York’s hair! I knew I would need to spend half of my time sitting down, which made being an assistant in the salon particularly difficult, so to be able to slot into the PA role was fantastic.”
Perfect relationship “Being his PA, working his social diary and combining that with my own work is a really unique way of going about things, but it works well,” explains Kelly. “I have a business background so am very ambitious in my own right and obviously, for other reasons, our relationship is pretty unique. He’s not like a boss and, I suppose, in many ways I’m not like a PA. We sometimes forget the working relationship boundaries, but are quick to put those hats back on when we need to – but it’s a very relaxed industry to be a part of anyway, so I think it fits. “And I would say I have the same business style as
Nicky – friendly, likeable, and treating people in the way I want to be treated myself. There’s no reason why that shouldn’t work in business just as it does in other aspects of life.” E
10 »
www.executivepa.com » June/July 2011
“That’s why clients love him though, and probably ”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52