EXECUTIVE PA MAGAZINE AWARDS2010
up Hay’s PA Network. Victoria said after winning: “The ceremony was a fantastic event and we were all so pleased that we’d won. We’ve worked hard at Hays to support our PAs, and it’s great to be recognised for this.” Hays Plc is a massive organisation that employs over
6,500 people and operates from more than 340 offices in 28 countries. In her role Victoria is responsible for bi- monthly lunch and learn sessions where PAs train and network. The company has also provided the PAs with a budget for their first ever PA conference, which takes place this November and will have its own internal PA of the Year award. Nominator Sara Pautz, who is PA to the Group Financial Director, says: “There are clear progres- sion routes for us since the PA network was founded so we can clearly see how to reach Executive PA level or move into other areas within the company. Directors within the company have become hugely supportive and are actively encouraging their PAs to undertake personal and professional development.” The award was presented by Nick Haughey from
Lost-it who sponsored the category and provided the sound and lighting for the evening. Runners-up were Rathbones Plc and Keystone Distribution. Victoria will enjoy a fabulous prize of a short break in her choice of Center Parc’s resort in the UK for up to six people.
Boss of the Year There wouldn’t be a need for PAs if the people that run businesses didn’t require them – therefore the award for Boss of the Year gives secretarial staff a chance to say thank you to the person that their job satisfaction often depends upon. This year the award carried a great prize of a weekend away in Paris travelling by Eurostar and staying in one of Accor’s top hotels in the French capital. The award was sponsored by Advantage Business Travel and was presented by Corporate Director of the compa- ny Ken McLoed.
The 2010 Executive PA Magazine: PA of the Year Introducing Dawn Carey
It was Dawn Carey’s grandmother who gave her the idea of becoming a PA. She used to be a secretary herself and told Dawn that skills such as typing and shorthand would always be useful to fall back on. Dawn however wanted to be a chef, but when she failed to get a place at catering college, she took a placement on a secretarial course and by the time she was in her early twenties had achieved her aim of being a PA to a managing direc- tor. Over 20 years later Dawn, 42, says that she has never looked back. Dawn has been in her current job, where she is Executive Assistant to
Richard Sear, Chief Executive of financial services company National Friendly, for just over 18 months. Richard suggested that Dawn be put for- ward for an award as he felt she deserved some sort of accolade for the work she does. So Dawn showed him a copy of Executive PA Magazine one day and said “this is the one I want to win”. Basing her nomination on a recent appraisal, Dawn’s application was submitted. “Some PAs at this level feel that they work a bit in isolation and that
they are not really in the loop. That’s where I am really fortunate with my boss – in fact I think he is probably the best boss I have ever had. Richard is always pushing me to be more out at the front and be an ambassador for the company and I have really enjoyed that,” relates Dawn. In fact Dawn says that Richard was first out of his chair when it was announced that Dawn had won: “It was surreal hearing my name called out as I was just about to apologise to Richard for not winning!” Dawn has clearly proven that she has many transferable skills to offer within the business, having spearheaded numerous internal initiatives including a drive towards a paperless office in a bid to reduce waste. She has also been part of a local mentoring scheme involving local school chil- dren where she went to talk to 13-14 year-old girls about a career as a PA. Dawn says that seeing these young girls’ eyes light up on hearing what they could achieve in this role was really inspiring. It seems that it is the people-focused aspect of the job that Dawn enjoys the most. “I think it’s that one-to-one – having to connect with someone and understand them – its not so much second guessing, but just being able to make sure that everything is as it should be,” she says. Working for such a supportive company helps though: “They make you feel as if you have some- thing to contribute and that you are listened to. You are not just a minute taker and that is an attitude which I think is changing across the board.” Dawn says she is still reeling from winning but she adds that: “The
most wonderful part of the evening was that everybody seemed genuine- ly pleased for each other – there was no jealousy – everyone was just real- ly glad to be there and be part of it.” And now she cannot wait to enjoy her prize; a four-night luxury break
in New York flying with British Airways courtesy of Lotus Business Travel and staying at the Gild Hall in Manhattan’s financial district. “I have never been to America,” she says. But she won’t be taking her husband – he is staying home to look after their pets. Instead she is taking her Dad who has just retired. Dawn says it will be a thank you to him for all the support from her parents over the years.
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www.executivepa.com » Oct/Nov 2010
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