March/April 2018

PA PROFILE Claire Hunter, PA at Bain and Gray HOW TO… - Weather the storm - Plan an event at a historic venue YOU’RE HIRED A look at the importance of apprenticeships in the PA industry

SPOTLIGHT ON...

UNIQUE TEAM-BUILDING IDEAS

THE SUMMER VENUES ISSUE Check out our round-up of the latest outdoor spaces for your summer soirée

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LEADER Be part of our community and follow us on @PALifeMag facebook.com /palifemagazine uk.linkedin.com /in/pa-life Instagram.com /palifemag

EDITOR’S LETTER It’s been an exceptional month with a great mixture of exhibitions from office* and International Confex to the Business Travel Show. Both proved a hit with attendees and exhibitors, despite the sudden arrival of a snow blizzard that made itself at home at London Olympia.

It was great to see so many industry friends at office* show, where PA Life took home the PA-Assist Members’ Voice award for Best PA Industry Publication for the fourth year running. It’s a real testament to the brand and the strength of our readers who keep believing in us – thanks so much for nominating us again.

On the subject of exhibitions, PA Life will also be heading to the Conference and Hospitality Show in April, so be sure to stop by our stand: number A27. We’re looking forward to meeting some of our avid readers from the North of England.

This issue sees Claire Hunter, PA at recruitment agency Bain and Gray, take the place as our PA Profile star. I visited her office to find out why she made the move from Australia to London to kick-start her career as a PA, and why she feels work experience is vital to gain your dream job. Read all about it on page 12.

This also leads on to our feature where we look at the importance of apprenticeships and how the PA sector can utilise this type of work experience. Check it out over on page 38.

Our very own PA Life Summit is due to return this September, where senior and board-level PAs will discover new opportunities to help respond to their daily challenges. You can find out more about the upcoming event on page 46.

In this issue, Toby Cruse travelled to Scotland for an overnight stay at Borthwick Castle to check out its corporate offering. Turn to page 37 for more.

Lastly, this issue is rounded up with our spotlight on summer venues featuring country retreats, outdoor spaces and summer parties, alongside a team-building guide. Turn to page 20 for more on these.

I hope you enjoy reading this month’s copy, as much as I did putting it together.

Jade Burke, Editor

Creating relationships between PAs and their industry suppliers

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Forum Events Media Forum House 71 Mead Lane Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 7AX Website: palife.co.uk Twitter: @palifemag Editorial: editorial@palife.co.uk Sales: charlotte.russell@palife.co.uk

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All material in the publication is covered by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise – whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher © 2018 Forum Events Media Ltd. While considerable care has been taken in the production of this issue, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors or omissions. No responsibility can be accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or equipment. All correspondence is assumed to be for publication unless clearly stated otherwise.

An annual subscription to PA Life is £25, contact Freddi Jackson on 01992 666720 to secure your copy now

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CONTRIBUTORS

Amy Braund, Bingham After finding her passion for hospitality working as concierge at one of the top resorts in Walt Disney World Florida, Braund has since worked as the sales and events lead at Bingham for the past three years. @thebingham

Toby Cruse, PA Life Maintaining the PA Life website for over a year, Cruse has also written for the magazine. He has also been sent across the globe on the hunt for some top event venues and destinations available to PAs. @CruseLines

Adam Fidler, Adam Fidler Academy Fidler is the principal and founder of the Adam Fidler Academy, which offers teaching and learning for PAs, EAs and business support professionals. He also qualified as a teacher in 2008. @adamDfidler

Jess Gardiner The Assistant Room After spending ten years as an EA, Gardiner’s experience has proved invaluable when organising regular networking, showcase and training events.

She has since founded The Assistant Room, an online lifestyle magazine for the PA industry. @AssistantRoom

Ewen Lyall, freelance journalist Lyall is first and foremost a big Fulham fan and avid film enthusiast. An experienced sports, entertainment and culture journalist, he has had work published in Football.London, The Hook and The Independent. @EwenJL

Milan Thakrar, Historic Royal Palaces Thakrar works with clients to develop commercial event opportunities for all six venues within Historic Royal Palace’s portfolio, which includes Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace and more. @HRP_Events

MEET THE TEAM

Jade Burke, Editor 01992 666723

Charlotte Russell, Media Sales Manager 01992 374080

Emily Mayhew, Media Sales Executive 01992 374064

Katie Bolden, Media Sales Executive 01992 374093

Freddi Jackson, PA Life Club Manager 01992 666720

Laura Spratt, Delegate Portfolio Manager, 01992 374053 | Carlos Dieguez, Event Sales Manager, 01992 374091 Katy Phillips, Publisher, 01992 374050 | Sarah Beall, Managing Director S.Beall@forumevents.co.uk

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CONTENTS

PA LIFE - MARCH/APRIL 2018

44 Roundtable Team-building is a popular practice for many companies when looking to keep up retention and morale in the workplace. We interview some experts on their thoughts

12 PA Profile Claire Hunter, PA at Bain and Gray, delves into her career at the recruitment agency

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46

Hotel review This issue sees us visit Scotland’s Borthwick Castle for an overnight stay in one of its medieval bed chambers

Join us at the 2018 PA Life Summit The ‘must-attend’ event is back, where PAs will get the chance to take part in private meetings and network with industry professionals

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38

Summer venues We highlight a variety of outdoor spaces, including country retreats and summer party venues to help you plan your next event this year

You’re hired A look at how apprenticeships can kick-start your career

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NEWS BITES

Face the facts Latest insight into the issues facing office support workers across the UK

Shunning the heel Remaining productive in the workplace can take its toll, and by adding a pair of high heels into the mix can ultimately be detrimental to many employees’ wellbeing.

Back in 2017, the Government rejected calls to stop employers being able to force female workers to wear high heels to work. Asking workers to wear this type of shoe can have various negative implications to their backs, impacting their performance at work, warned Dr Christian Allard, clinic director at ProBack.

Not only that, wearing high heels can increase the amount of weight that the forefoot bears, and also pushes the centre of gravity forward. “This tends to create an anterior head carriage, meaning that the head is held forward,” Allard told PA Life.

“Since the muscles of the spine are not designed to hold the head in a forward position for extended periods of time, the muscles start to get ‘fatigue’ and a muscle that is fatigued hurts.”

Wearing stilettos can even lead to breathing problems, as it has been shown that if the head is held one inch forward from its usual position it can become around 20 per cent more difficult to breathe.

These dainty shoes can also affect pain receptors. In terms of pain versus scar tissue; whenever pain receptors are stuck in scar

tissue, they will send the pain signals to the brain at an amplified rate. It has been found that the pain signal will be sent to the brain 1,000 times easier.

Allard added: “The last thing that any employer wants is for their employee to have increased pain signals sent to the brain.”

Despite these warnings, Jennifer Robson, EA at Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation Limited, revealed to PA Life on LinkedIn: “I disagree as I have been wearing heels for over 20 years and it has not had a negative impact.

Individuals should have a choice.”

Let us know your thoughts @PALifeMag.

“Back in 2017, the Government rejected calls to stop employers being able to force female workers to wear high heels to work.”

Suited and booted Brits are more likely to sport a pair of jeans and trainers in the office, with many favouring comfortable clothes over the traditional suit.

But does this mark the death of the business two-piece?

In a poll 31 per cent of our Twitter followers said that they only wear one for interviews, while eight per cent said they never put one on for work. Despite this, 48 per cent said they always have and always will.

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Many parts of the UK were covered in a blanket of snow in February and March, which lead to major disruption for workers across the country. Trains were cancelled and roads were congested for much of the time, which halted many employees’ attempts to make it into the office.

However, these snowy conditions helped to build up significant trust between bosses and their staff, as many were able to work remotely as the cold snap took hold.

“Employers should have flexible working and trust embedded in their organisations to support staff during times of disruption,” revealed Nicola Rowledge, people director at online investment firm Nutmeg.

“It’s important to have policies for snow days in place, but a longer-term environment of trust and flexible working in an organisation will really help to minimise disruption when staff are affected by snow or other adverse weather conditions.”

The popularity of remote working is continuing to grow between employers and employees, and the Beast from the East certainly helped to prove that workers are able to perform just as well at home as they do in the office.

Are you a risk-taker?

Around six in ten Brits are afraid of taking risks, new research by Virgin Media has revealed. Millions consider themselves to be risk-averse, with more than two thirds blaming it on a fear of the consequences.

So how risk-averse are you? Let us know at @PALifeMag.

The Beast from the East Do you struggle to switch off in your lunch break?

New research has found that the traditional hour-long lunch break is disappearing, with only one in five employees taking their full allowance. We asked our Twitter followers whether they are able to take a break - just eight per cent revealed that they can switch off, while 67 per cent simply stated, ‘what lunch break?’.

OFFICE HAPPINESS We asked out Twitter followers what the most important aspect of their happiness at work was. Good job perks came in at 20 per cent, while your colleagues and boss were neck-and-neck at 40 per cent each.

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ADVICE

Do you think the word secretary is dated? Let us know @PALifeMag

Mind your language Adam Fidler shares his thoughts on the dangers of using dated language when it comes to talking about modern assistant roles

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e’ve got to get better at being more selective and precise when using language and words to describe the role of the PA or EA. I still get rattled when I see articles about the role of an assistant, which I have no doubt were well-intentioned but actually take us backwards.

Often, PA and EA-related articles are littered with stereotypical language that does nothing whatsoever to change perceptions of readers (who are often non-PAs), of the true nature and essence of the role of a high-level PA. Yes, the stereotypical words are used as a comparison of what the role used to be, but can we not accept that using those words in that way only reinforces what we are trying to move away from?

I wrote the EA Manifesto where I avoided any secretarial language

whatsoever. That was intentional to show the world and those in the profession that we must avoid ‘secretarial’ speak at every opportunity, as it takes us back to what we have worked so hard to move away from. I

“In the corporate personal assistant world where professionalism, status and credibility are key – the oldfashioned words that were once used to describe a secretary have no place.” therefore make no apologies for my views and strive deliberately to continue to push the perception of the assistant role in a new light.

My students, for example, are taught never to describe themselves as ‘secretaries’, ‘gate-keepers’ or ‘officewives’ (yes, we still get that one from

time-to-time), and I encourage all PAs to be careful not to use the wrong language, even in good faith.

In the corporate personal assistant world where professionalism, status and credibility are key, the old-fashioned words that were once used to describe a secretary have no place. If we continue to articulate the PA role with unhelpful language, then why do we expect our bosses or employers to think and speak about us and the role any differently?

You could start by looking at your job description; does it only use secretarial language, or does it contain the management qualities that employers are now seeking?

Remember your word is your wand – meaning the way that you describe yourself transforms your self-perception and that becomes the way that others see you. So, getting the language right for assistants really is paramount on so many levels.

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OPINION

Changing roles The position of the PA has evolved greatly over the years, making them crucial partners to any business. Jess Gardiner, founder and editor-in-chief of The Assistant Room, reveals why these changes should be embraced

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hat does it mean to be a PA? We’re no longer just the right hand to the people at the top. We’re powerful business partners, company ambassadors and the people who have the ability to instigate change within the companies we dedicate ourselves to.

In my almost decade of experience as a PA, before creating The Assistant Room two years ago, I always described my role as a lifestyle choice and not just a job, something that I believe applies to us all. It is a position that demands a level of responsibility in not only supporting those detailed within our job descriptions but also to each other, as colleagues and as mentors, where there is always something new we can learn from each other.

As the world moves forward and companies progress, embracing this change and the evolution of our role within the workplace will be crucial to the continuation of our thriving community. The progression of our industry goes hand-in-hand with an acceptance that we are no longer looking at the same ideology of what being a PA meant ten or five years ago.

In today’s world, with its many technological advancements, we must not be seen to be standing still, but striving forward to champion and support each other in what may be to some, as unknown territory.

Will denying or resisting this change work in our favour? Absolutely not. Do we need to find solutions to the obstacles that we face and unite in our efforts to overcome these changes, as opposed to criticising each other’s understanding of what a PA means or represents? Without a doubt.

The challenges we face are only the beginning, with invaluable resources from various industry publications, there will always be strong support for those who are open-minded in accepting the changes that are occurring on a daily basis. Is everyone going to agree

“In today’s world, we must not be seen to be standing still, but striving forward to champion each other in what may be to some, as unknown territory.” with me? Probably not, however with any change there will always be resistance and a wish for things to remain as they were before, something that we can all relate to but something that we cannot hold on to.

We must not concentrate on just sustaining the support industry, but endeavour to push it forward, welcoming change as a friend and not an enemy. As PAs, our roles may differ but we are all fighting for the same cause.

Long gone are the days where assistants were required to just use shorthand. Take PA Life’s e-learning platform – we now offer online courses on how to use social media and UK employment law, which wouldn’t have been needed over 20 years ago in the PA industry. See palife.co.uk/online-courses/ for full details.

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PA PROFILE

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PA PROFILE

“As no two days are ever the same and more so than ever, no two PA roles are the same, and that’s one of my favourite things about being a PA, all the variety.”

Claire Hunter, Bain and Gray

CLAIRE HUNTER After being exposed to the role of an assistant over a year ago, Claire Hunter, PA at recruitment company Bain and Gray, hasn’t looked back since. Jade Burke finds out why she took the plunge to move to London from Australia and why she feels work experience is so vital to kick-start a career

Photography: Dave Willis Location: Cahoots, Soho ------------------------------------------------------------------------

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he streets of Soho are buzzing with energy as I head down to meet this issue’s profile star. After taking a stroll down the City’s iconic Carnaby Street that’s littered with a mix of bars and restaurants, I find Bain and Gray’s office located down Kingly Street. Tucked away up two flights of stairs, I enter the recruitment company’s workplace and the atmosphere is electric.

Employees are chatting on the phone to clients, while several meetings are taking place in the glass offices – it’s clearly a busy Monday morning for the team. After being greeted by a member of staff, Claire Hunter introduces

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PA PROFILE

herself. Hunter is the personal assistant to Bain and Gray’s two directors, Emily Bain and Claire Gray, who launched the boutique secretarial and recruitment agency in 2009.

Having worked at Bain and Gray for over a year as a PA, Hunter was initially unaware that working as an assistant was a career option. “I stumbled upon it by accident, I guess,” Hunter tells PA Life. “Now that I have been exposed to it and know it’s a thing I can do, I have quickly realised that it was a career I was interested in pursuing, as support roles have such a huge aspect of all the things I love about customer service – helping, problem solving and making people happy. Now that I’ve been exposed to the opportunity of a career as a PA, it’s something I want to continue.”

“This is the first time I have worked as a PA. I really lucked out with the job because I was dog walking for someone who said they knew a really good recruitment agency and was friends with the directors. So, I signed up and managed to get a job here.”

Working closely to the two directors, Hunter’s days in the office are always full. Since both Bain and Gray work part-time the need to prioritise different tasks is crucial to her job role.

She continues: “I have to prioritise how I can best do everything because things crop up all the time and then I suddenly have to drop things and make sure I get everything done.

“As they both live in Oxford, their time in the office is precious so I just try and make it run as smooth as possible. It’s a bit like being a

“It’s always been a dream of mine to go to London. I had never been before but I just decided to do it and bought a one-way plane ticket.”

Claire Hunter, Bain & Gray baton between them because everyone is on different schedules and I have to make sure I keep on top of everything.”

Despite only working in the company for a year, Hunter’s responsibilities have continued to grow – she currently handles all of the candidate meeting and greeting and manages some administrative work for other colleagues, as well as looking after the company’s social media accounts on the days the marketing manager, who also works part-time, isn’t in the office.

After moving to the UK from Australia a few years ago it’s clear she has a true adoration for the city of London, which makes the location for our photoshoot today even more fitting. Cahoots is a bar just around the corner from the Bain and Gray office, where guests are taken on a journey back to post-war 1940s in a disused underground tube station.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to go to London. I had never been before but I just decided to do it and bought a one-way plane ticket,” Hunter explains.

“It was impulsive because I think I realised there was never going to be a good time to go because of my job and parents. They do talk about it in school a lot that working overseas looks really impressive on your CV, so I thought I’d just try living in London so I could get a bit of experience and I’ve loved it so much. I was on a

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PA PROFILE

two-year visa and then I went back in October and extended it to a five-year visa.”

But it seems travelling is in her blood, as Hunter previously backpacked her way around 11 countries in Europe and then travelled to India for a month with her younger sister. “I’ve been to India three times and the last time I travelled via London. It’s definitely my favourite place I’ve ever been and probably will ever be,” she adds.

Getting the chance to experience so many countries at the tender age of 25, I wonder if there is a dream location she hasn’t yet ticked off her bucket list. With her keen interest in iconic cities, unsurprisingly, it’s New York City.

Hunter enthuses: “I think it has to be America as I have never been before. I know it’s probably a bit cliché but I really want to go to New York City. I have always been a little bit city mad and I don’t think it gets much bigger than that.”

With a business degree majoring in event management under her belt, Hunter also got the opportunity to take part in an internship at the Brisbane International Tennis Competition.

Taking part in work experience while studying can be incredibly beneficial to any student trying to start their career, and Hunter’s time at the tennis competition was no exception.

“I think it was really important for building confidence, because when you go through university you get to a point where it’s coming to an end and wonder if you can enter the

“A lot of it is theory up until the point of an internship and that’s when you get to practice what you’ve learnt.”

Claire Hunter, Bain and Gray workforce,” she says. “A lot of it is theory up until the point of an internship and that’s when you get to practice what you’ve learnt and utilise some of those skills.

“I think the one thing to take from it is that you’re training and doing the things that you’ve picked up. It’s really helpful and it gives you that confidence that you’ll be able to have a career.

Bain and Gray also has a close relationship with Oxford Media & Business School, where the students are training to be PAs and we place them in work experience.”

Finding a potential assistant their dream job is the core purpose of Bain and Gray, and with the PA role evolving rapidly I wonder what advice Hunter would give to others looking to break into the field.

“I think in this day and age the PA role has evolved so much – lots of PAs I’ve spoken to recently all agree that we have to be willing to do lots of different types of tasks in a day, and know how to manage our time to make sure everything gets done,” she shares.

“It keeps the role interesting, however as no two days are ever the same and more so than ever, no two PA roles are the same, and that’s one of my favourite things about being a PA, all the variety.”

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HOW TO GUIDES

HOW TO…

plan an event at a historic venue Historic Royal Palaces’ business development manager, Milan Thakrar, gives some invaluable advice on planning an event at a historical venue, from adding unique themes to tips on preservation rules and access routes

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or events with an unbeatable atmosphere and a one-of-a-kind setting, historic venues are the go-to choice and are also well versed in hosting events throughout the years.

There are, however, several key elements for planners to consider when choosing a historic venue for an event.

Embrace the opportunity for tradition with a twist You can transform a traditional space with projection mapping on the walls, contemporary floral arrangements and entertainment acts, quirky furniture, elaborate dessert stations and much more. The striking juxtaposition of vibrant props and AV against the traditional backdrop never fails to deliver something unexpected and aweinspiring for guests as they enter the event space.

Be mindful of the preservation rules Many of these spaces have existed for hundreds of years and contain

irreplaceable artefacts that have survived through some truly incredible historical milestones. As such, events taking place in the vicinity have to avoid certain elements such as naked flames or glitter

“You can transform a traditional space with projection mapping on the walls, floral arrangements, quirky furniture and elaborate dessert stations.” decoration, to ensure the building and its historical collections are maintained for everyone to enjoy.

Consider access routes Stone cobbles make for a spectacular entrance, but it’s important to be mindful of the difficulties these may pose for guests with mobility concerns. The majority of venues will offer disabled access, so make sure to notify the event teams to arrange this in advance.

Be aware of availability Venues of historical interest are often open to the public to enjoy. You can make use of any preferred suppliers as they will know the venue inside out and be adept at transforming the spaces within a limited time frame for evening events. Some classical venues will also have additional spaces dedicated to daytime hire for conferences and meetings, so make sure to enquire in plenty of time.

Use the venue’s unique theming to your advantage How often do you get the chance to host guests in Henry VIII’s beer cellar or under one of the most famous works from the golden age of painting? Make the most of the setting for your own event theming by accentuating the features of your surroundings and working closely with the experienced venue teams, who will no doubt have inspiring ideas up their sleeves to ensure the space comes alive for your event.

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HOW TO GUIDES

HOW TO… weather the storm

The unpredictable British weather can play havoc with outdoor events. Amy Braund, sales and event manager at the Bingham, reveals her tips on how to combat its unreliable behaviour and why you shouldn’t let the weather hold your event back

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ove it or hate it, the British are known as a nation of weatherobsessives among their continental counterparts. With days that may be cloudy, sunny or snowy, we know that us Brits do have a slight obsession with our temperamental weather.

It’s not as bad as it seems though, as it only rains in London for just under a third of the year. This is less than the average rainfall of Sydney, Miami and New York.

Nevertheless, when you’ve spent days, weeks or months planning a spectacular event with outdoor activities, why should you still be at the mercy of the great British weather?

Firstly, wet-weather contingency has to feature in the planning process and making sure you have a back-up option if ‘rain stops play’. On the bright side, 70 per cent of the time it doesn’t so there’s a more than healthy chance you won’t need to put your plan B into action.

When you find a venue that meets all your requirements in terms of location, capacity and has the right facilities, talk to them about the weather-what-ifs.

Share your itinerary and see if they can

help with finding solutions that keep your attendees engaged.

If you’re planning outdoor activities as part of the event, find ones that aren’t entirely dependent on blue skies and sunny weather. Then map out the attendees’ journey and route through

“When you find a venue that meets all your requirements in terms of location, capacity and has the right facilities, talk to them about the weather-what-ifs.” these activities, and think how comfortable and safe they’ll be in different weather conditions. It’s not too difficult to lay your hands on a garden gazebo to provide a bit of shelter from the showers or to offer branded blankets and shawls as give-aways. It’s only when it’s coming down hard and fast, that you might have to relocate indoors.

While topics like health and safety are key in event planning, so is keeping a bountiful source of food, drink and

water. Plan enough food to keep your attendees nourished and motivated to transition through the next phases of activities or sessions. It’s an aspect of event planning that inspires the most feedback from delegates. Most food and snacks can be tailored to the weather so you can have hot chocolate on standby in the cold and healthy smoothies for a blissful bright day, while barbecues can be served all year round.

Communication is key. Not just limited to your attendees or on-site personnel, but consider the venue, suppliers and partners as part of your extended team who may be attending your event or may be affected by changes to your soirée. Keep your eye on the weather forecast right up to the day and effect any last minute, real-time changes if you so require.

There’s no point in stressing over the weather, which is out of your control and certainly don’t let the weather hold your event back. With meticulous planning, your function could smoulder and sizzle rather than being rained off with drizzle.

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SECTOR GUIDE

ASHRIDGE HOUSE 01442 841 027 Ashridge House is a grade I listed neoGothic mansion set in 190 acres of historic landscaped gardens, just 30 minutes north of London. This beautiful venue offers a range of flexible meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 250 people.

The venue is ideal for all types of events including board meetings, sales conferences, teambuilding and private dining. With 190 bedrooms, 30 flexible meeting spaces and an extensive range of leisure facilities, event organisers can be sure to have a successful event.

Follow in the footsteps of Henry VIII and book your next event at Ashridge House.

Summer venues Are you looking to make an impact this summer for your next outdoor party or country retreat? Browse our round-up of venues to find your perfect space

G

etting the chance to explore museums, heritage sites and sports venues is a popular treat when the Great British weather is playing ball during the summer months. There are a variety of opportunities businesses can make the most of from May to September, including summer soirées and country retreats to client meetings out in the glorious sunshine.

With the weather on your side you can really make the most of hosting some unusual activities you wouldn’t necessarily be able to do indoors, including sporting activities, garden parties, afternoon tea, outdoor games and cinemas and team-building events.

There really is a great deal of opportunities available if you are looking to host your next event this summer.

“Most businesses traditionally organise a Christmas party to celebrate the festive season and the end of the year, but it’s becoming increasingly popular to host a summer event,” David Willmin,

“Summer events allow organisations to reflect on the performance over the first half of the year, but is also an opportunity to ‘kickoff’ the rest of the year.” sales director of Ashridge House, tells PA Life.

“Here at Ashridge House we’ve seen an increase in corporate summer parties and retreats, whether it be a teambuilding event, summer away day, family

day or simply an event to reward the hard work of their employees.”

Staff members enjoy nothing more than going outdoors in the warmer months, and hosting a summer event gives staff the chance to mingle with one another, while also getting the opportunity to take a look back on the first half of the working year.

Willmin added: “Summer events allow organisations to reflect on the performance and growth over the first half of the year, but is also an opportunity to ‘kick-off’ the rest of the year. Summer kick-off events can be a very effective way to motivate your team, which will be rewarding come the latter part of the year.”

Make the most of the summer and find the perfect venue to host your next event.

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CREATE THE

E XCEP TI O N AL Summer events in Richmond-upon-Thames

£49.00

Bingham, 61-63 Petersham Road, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW10 6UT thebingham.co.uk/business | +44 (0)208 940 0902 | arta@thebingham.co.uk @thebingham

thebingham

binghamrichmond

GL OR IOUS T H E Q A T A R G O O D W O O D F E S T I VA L

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Bored with the usual corporate event venues?

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Follow in the tyre tracks of all Lotus F1 drivers since 1966... at the home of Lotus Cars Meeting facilities for up to 50 people, factory tours, a Classic F1 team tour and driving activites in the latest Lotus cars

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#YOURVISIONWLR

YOUR VISION IS OUR REALITY

At Wyboston Lakes Resort our primary objective is to provide you with the best conference, training, meeting or event you could possible wish for without any short cuts.

We certainly have the space and we can definitely provide you with the facilities for excellent conference and training solutions.

Situated in a 380 acre lakeside setting only one hour from London, with state of the art technology, 65 meeting rooms and unrivalled service, our aim is to involve, impress and inspire you.

/WyboConfTrain /WybostonConferenceAndTraining

Not to be too poetic but, reach for the stars and you may just find yourselves at Wyboston Lakes Resort.

T: 0333 7007 667 | E: sales@wybostonlakes.co.uk wybostonlakes.co.uk

Wyboston Lakes Resort, Great North Road, Wyboston, Bedfordshire, MK44 3AL

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ORCHARDLEIGH ESTATE

Corporate Events

Set within 500 acres of private parkland and with over 15 years’ experience in delivering the highest quality hospitality, Orchardleigh Estate is the perfect choice to host your next event. w w w w

Two exclusive use venues for up to 600 guests Delegate packages available from ÂŁ49pp Accommodation for up to 175 delegates Full on site catering and event management

PA Life Readers Exclusive Summer Special

20% off all catering spends

on corporate events booked with us between June and September 2018* *Subject to availability and minimum numbers apply.

Orchardleigh Estate, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2PB Half PA Life March/April.indd 3

01373 472550

www.orchardleigh.net 18/03/2018 14:55

SECTOR GUIDE

PORTSMOUTH GUILDHALL portsmouthguildhall.org.uk Immerse your delegates in the historic grandeur of the iconic Portsmouth Guildhall. Centrally located with excellent transport links, the venue has a number of exquisite rooms and a fully equipped auditorium, ideal for all types of events for up to eight to 2,000 delegates.

With over 125 years’ experience hosting world class events, Portsmouth Guildhall offers quality catering and competitive rates, as well as free Wi-Fi with a dedicated team to guide you through from your initial enquiry to post event, ensuring every detail is meticulously planned and accomplished.

WYBOSTON LAKES RESORT 0333 7007 667

AMBER LAKES 0207 534 0545 Amber Lakes is a new events venue set within a 450 acre private nature reserve. At the heart is Amber Lodge: a luxurious cedar, oak and glass Scandinavian lodge. The breathtaking views of lakes, trees and gardens as far as the eye can see give this space a sense of total exclusivity and privacy.

Senior management conferences, product launches, summer parties, Christmas parties and team-building of up to 500 guests are all possible at this flexible, privately-owned venue. Situated between Windsor & Heathrow, Amber Lakes is a 45 minute drive or direct train ride from Central London.

Wyboston Lakes Resort is ideally located on 380 acres between Cambridge and Milton Keynes, easily accessible by road, rail and air and less than one hour away from London.

Its two award winning, purpose built conference and training centres contains 66 conference and syndicate rooms and over 300 bedrooms combined, and comes fitted with sector leading AV and tech capabilities, as well as 1.3GB of free Wi-Fi throughout.

The on-site leisure facilities and multiple social spaces make Wyboston Lakes ideal for relaxing and networking during any event.

BINGHAM 020 8940 0902 Its riverside setting makes the Bingham perfect for business and pleasure, with great facilities and an outstanding outdoor space. A distraction-free destination with modern interiors, the space offers English gardens and exceptional food and service. Plus, it’s 20 minutes by train from Waterloo and convenient for Heathrow airport.

Occupying a leafy green stretch of The Thames with unforgettable views, the Bingham’s well-equipped rooms open onto a terrace and lawns, with river access. The rooms offer a safe haven for outdoor events and the terrace can be partially covered with gazebos and heaters for attendee comfort.

Think motivating meetings, business brunches, conferences, open air barbecues, recreational breakouts and a captivating backdrop for drinks and dinners afterwards.

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Outdoor event space for 100 to 1,200 guests Get in touch to see how you can win a Fortnum & Mason hamper conferences@regents.ac.uk 020 7487 7540 regentsevents.co.uk

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The perfect venue for your meetings and events A unique conference venue, the perfect location for a board meeting, away day, or team building activities!

• 30 minutes from London • A former Royal Residence • 33 meeting rooms for up to 300 people • 10 historic function rooms • 190 bedrooms • Beautiful gardens • World class speakers through Ashridge Executive Education AshridgeHouse

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AshridgeHouse

AshridgeHouse

Ashridgehouse

Ashridge House Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 1NS ashridgehouse.org.uk Email: events@ashridge.hult.edu Tel: +44 (0) 1442 841027

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SECTOR GUIDE

NO 4.

HAMILTON PLACE 020 7670 4314 Known as a spectacular summer party venue in the heart of Mayfair, No 4. Hamilton Place features The Argyll Room, which boasts bow windows at each end (making it a great option for wet weather), and leads directly onto a stunning roof terrace with views over Hyde Park.

Comprehensive party packages have been designed to make the most of your budget and include venue hire, menus and unlimited drinks for up to 200 guests.

The venue’s World Food BBQ package is extremely popular with a choice of dishes and flavours inspired by continents from around the world. Prices start from £80+VAT per person.

GOODWOOD RACECOURSE 01243 755 055 The Qatar Goodwood Festival, which takes place from July 31 to August 4, is one of the most prestigious weeks in the racing calendar and a much-loved fixture of the British social season. Attracting world-class jockeys and horses, the event is synonymous with style and a real sense of occasion, once described by King Edward VII as a ‘garden party with racing tacked on’.

The hot ticket for 2018 is The Lookout, a new private bar with outstanding views across to the Isle of Wight – complete with its own telescope. The Lookout serves bowl food from Goodwood’s sustainable restaurant, Farmer, Butcher and Chef.

EYNSHAM HALL 01993 885 200 Set in the breathtaking Oxfordshire countryside, mixing elegant period features with a twist of modern design, Eynsham Hall is situated just 12 miles from the spires of Oxford. The venue boasts great accessibility either by road (from the M4, M40, A34 and A40), or by rail (from London Paddington to local station Long Hanborough).

Among the recently renovated Harcourt Suite, there are 39 other dedicated meeting, event and training rooms, which can accommodate groups of between two and 160 delegates, with its surrounding grounds also catering for large corporate bookings for up to 2,000 guests.

Eynsham Hall offers 135 bedrooms, including 34 charming boutique rooms within the Main Hall.

Meanwhile, 101 contemporary and cosy bedrooms in the grounds are furnished with the conference traveller in mind.

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SECTOR GUIDE

TEAM-BUILDING

Finding a unique idea for your firm’s next team-building activity can be a pressurising task.

This month we highlight a range of new ideas to take your next event to new levels

I

t’s no surprise that employees who feel valued are more likely to work harder, but did you know that a happy workforce can also lead to increased productivity and profitability? Businesses with a highly engaged workforce make approximately 16 per cent higher profit margins, so can you afford not to invest in your employees?

Team-building doesn’t have to include trust falls and passing around a conch, it can happen naturally in the most unusual places. In fact, the most successful team-building days occur when there isn’t an overwhelming pressure on ROI or learning from the day. Things like improving communication and teamwork can occur organically if you choose the right environment.

“It is so important for workplaces to encourage their teams to get out of the office to grow and develop. Investing in your company culture makes for a happier, and more productive team,” Sarah Stimpson, corporate events coordinator at Go Ape, tells PA Life.

Studies have found that companies with disengaged employees have eight per cent lower productivity rates, 50 per cent more sick days and 16 per cent lower profit margin.

Mutual support is paramount to maintain engaged employees, enthuses Jazelle Johnson, groups and school’s

“We’ve found that the best team-building days allow you to have a laugh, not just with your colleagues, but your superiors too.”

Jazelle Johnson, Go Ape marketeer at Go Ape. She says: “An old school teacher of mine used to say, ‘you reap what you sow’, and this is never truer than in the employee engagement space. Showing your employees that you value their wellbeing beyond the normal nine to five will, in turn, give you employees that go above and beyond for you and your company.

“We encourage a lot of team-building at Go Ape. We’ve found that the best team-building days allow you to let your hair down and have a laugh, not just with your immediate colleagues, but your superiors too.”

Today, being one of the top places to work isn’t just down to pay, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is key to modern life. Gone are the days where employees neglected downtime in favour of late nights in the office, nowadays workplaces are becoming more like family homes, and employees want to be treated as such. Trust, communication and positivity are valued just as much as the pay packet.

The key to maintaining a profitable and productive business lies within the employees themselves. But teambuilding needs to be thought of as a long-term investment, not a short-term expense. Developing a highly engaged workforce cannot be achieved in just one day. Team-building is a long journey that starts with a single gesture.

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Treasure Hunts with a TWIST

by Live The City www.livethecity.com

Does your team need to knit together better?

A unique blend of brain-bending clues, interactive challenges, cutting edge technology and a big screen quiz finale make Live The City Treasure Hunts the perfect choice for any corporate event.

Since 2006, Live The City’s team of creative experts have been delivering unforgettable experiences in locations across the globe, each one tailored to our clients’ individual specifications. Get in touch to find out what makes Live The City a cut about the rest in the world of Treasure Hunt entertainment.

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www.raisingthebaa.com

01380 609363

19/03/2018 13:07

Dragon Bo Venues available nationwide

The Ultimate Team Building Experience g, Summer Parties, Great for Team Buildin ing Networking and fundrais

at Racing is exciting, adre pumping & nalin highly addic tive

Are you ready to race the dragon?

@Race the Dragon UK

14 to 1,000+ participants Race the Dragon.indd 1

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0845 293 0897 LetsRace@racethedragon.com

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SECTOR GUIDE

BUTLIN’S CONFERENCE & EVENTS butlins.com/events Butlin’s Conference & Events works to provide delegates with a diverse range of engaging teambuilding activities. Its three coastal locations means it is able to offer some unusual team-building activities that other UK venues cannot, such as racing out to sea in military spec ribs, uncovering hidden treasure on the beach or partaking in sand sculpting competitions.

There’s also the chance to dance with British street dance troupe Diversity, take part in a cocktail masterclass or revel in a little friendly competition with colleagues at Hotshots. High-rope courses, go karting, crazy golf and GPS treasure hunts are also on offer.

MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD mercedes-benz.co.uk

LOCKED IN A ROOM 020 7476 5571 Locked In A Room London ExCeL is Europe’s largest live escape game venue. Teams of up to 78 people can compete, simultaneously, in its 13 detailed and immersive rooms across two unique themes in order to see who can earn a successful escape.

With the ability to accommodate large groups, the firm can cater for corporate bookings to break the ice between teams, thus improving relationships and testing abilities to work together under pressure.

Do you think you have what it takes to beat the clock and escape? Let them lock you up and find out.

Turn a meeting into an event with corporate driving experiences and team-building activities at Mercedes-Benz World.

Whether delegates find themselves blindfolded on the 4x4 course, behind the wheel of the latest highperformance MercedesAMG, or engaging in a friendly competition in the Simulator Zone, Mercedes will leave guests feeling inspired and engaged.

From dynamic driving on the Handling Circuits to 4x4 off-road adventures, the firm’s personalised driving experiences are a unique and exciting way to encourage effective communication, collective problem-solving, leadership and decision-making.

With expert guidance from a driving specialist in the passenger seat, guests have fun while developing their skills.

LIVE THE CITY livethecity.com Combining clue solving, interactive challenges and a high energy big screen quiz finale, Live The City’s unique treasure hunt format is the perfect addition to any conference programme or team-building event.

Live The City has a full range of treasure hunts to suit all budgets. Options include on-foot, self-drive, vintage vehicles and even spy themed packages. The firm also prides itself on its creativity, competitive pricing and customer service, and never fails to deliver events that challenge, engage and entertain.

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TREAT

YOUR TRIBE at 32 locations UK wide

ENQUIRE

TODAY!

TREE TOP ADVEN

TURE

EXTRA ACTIVITIES Team building games and

more

TOR DEDICATED COORDINA To help plan your day

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A D Y IT V TI C A R U YO t a a few things th 05† 38 9 51 45 08 ll ca r, to na di or t co To book or speak to an even at 10 Team development games available

locations. †Calls cost 7p per minute

plus your phone company’s access

charge.

SECTOR GUIDE

LEE VALLEY WHITE WATER CENTRE gowhitewater.co.uk What could be more inspirational than some friendly competition in the very place where heroes were made during the London 2012 Olympic Games?

It’s time for your team to escape the stresses of the office and paddle their way to glory with a corporate away day at Lee Valley White Water Centre. Here you can choose from a range of water based or dry land activities to get your team working together. Whether it’s rafting your way down the very course used in the Olympic Canoe Slalom events or enjoying a game of archery tag – there is something for everyone to enjoy.

You can also combine your day with meeting room hire and refuel with a variety of catering options available, including breakfasts and BBQs.

FARNHAM CASTLE 01252 720 402 Farnham Castle is thrilled to be launching an innovative and engaging new line-up of teambuilding activities including the Medieval Maze – a team-building event themed around the Crystal Maze Medieval Zone. Just like in the TV show, teams visit activity zones that are categorised by Physical, Mental, Mystery and Skill and hosted by costumed merry-men.

In each zone there are a number of medieval-themed games and activities for teams to complete, which are brought to life in this castle setting.

Farnham Castle is a unique conference and events venue located on the Surrey and Hampshire border, just an hour away from London.

DRIVE-TECH 01249 783 010

As the West Country’s premiere outdoor activity centre, Drive-Tech is popular with companies both large and small. Great for corporate events, team-building, or for sheer fun, it’s a brilliant way to mould that team spirit and improve personal development.

Its Skid Control and 4x4 activities increase confidence, improve personal safety, raise awareness, provide better car control and challenge the driver, while providing white knuckle tension. Karting pushes driving skills to new limits providing excitement and entertainment.

Drive-Tech’s team of experts will ensure you gain valuable skills and a sense of achievement from the event, while having had great fun. You can choose between standalone activities or mix and match. With so many great combinations to choose from, your biggest challenge will be choosing between them.

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SECTOR GUIDE

RACE THE DRAGON 0845 293 0897

HEART OF ENGLAND 01676 540 333 With one of the largest collections – warehouses full – of team-building activities and equipment in the UK, Heart of England can tailor make your event to fit your company’s targets, goals and budget. With 30 years’ experience, the business is there to help you deliver the most inspirational team-building and activity days.

Whether you’re looking to energise, inspire, educate, integrate, reward or simply have fun, it has a range of team-building activities to suit you.

Plus, the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre provides a unique location for any event.

Race the Dragon is fun, it’s competitive and is regarded as the corporate teambuilding activity available in the UK today.

Novice teams compete in a series of timed races where the fastest teams make it to the Grand Final and winner’s medals and team trophies wait to be presented to each successful champion.

Race the Dragon is also able to organise all your event catering, marquees and bar needs, so whether you have 18 senior executives or over 500 delegates, Race the Dragon’s friendly and experienced event staff will work with you on your journey from initial event concept, to event reality in order to ensure a truly memorable experience on the day.

GO APE 0845 519 3805 Go Ape’s forest adventures offer an exciting way to build your teamwork, reward your tribe or simply entertain as a group day out. From leaping off Tarzan Swings on the classic Tree Top Adventure and cruising on the Forest Segway Experiences, to solving giant puzzles on the forest floor, Go Ape’s team-building days are never to be forgotten.

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TEAM BUILDING & CORPORATE FUN DAYS

BRINGING YOUR TEAMS TOGETHER www.heartofengland.co.uk Whether you’re looking to energise, inspire, educate, integrate, reward, create shared stories or simply have fun, we have the Team Building activities and Fun Days to suit you.

With one of the largest collections of team building activities & equipment in the UK, we can tailor make your event to fit your company’s targets, goals & budget. Our 30 years’ experience is here to help you deliver the most inspirational team building and activity days in the UK.

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www.drivetechltd.co.uk

01676 540333

sales@heartofengland.co.uk www.heartofengland.co.uk Meriden Rd, Coventry, CV7 8DX

01676 540333

Please visit out website or call:

01249 783010

Drive-Tech Ltd, Castle Combe Circuit Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 7BW

A Unique Venue for Unique Events DT_0065 PA Life Magazine.indd 1

:: Corporate hospitality :: Exhibitions :: Ride and drive events :: Team building :: Families days :: Outdoor events :: Product launches

T: 0116 279 9329

06/03/2018 16:23

:: Conferences & seminars :: Dinners & award ceremonies :: Trade shows :: Concerts :: Parties :: Asian Weddings

E: enquiries@bruntingthorpeevents.com

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A unique and inspiring venue for your next event From conferences to parties, board meetings to product launches, Farnham Castle is the perfect setting for a unique and memorable event.

Whatever you have in mind, our team will be on hand to help you plan everything down to the smallest detail. If you would like to book a viewing of the Castle or have any questions, get in touch today:

01252 720 402 events@farnhamcastle.com Farnham Castle, Castle Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 0AG www.farnhamcastle.com

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VENUES OF EXCELLENCE

Spotlight on: Venues of Excellence 2016 saw the business undergo a rebrand with a plan to broaden its footprint in the hospitality sector. Here Mandy Jennings, executive director of Venues of Excellence, tells Jade Burke how the firm is achieving the target and why it’s on its way to gaining 50 members by 2020

2017 marked a record year for the company with revenue and membership growing. How do you plan to maintain this?

We have built very strong foundations for the business, engaged an experienced team all with many years in the conference and event market, plus a board who have put a strategic plan in place to continue the momentum since our rebrand in 2016.

What do you guys look for in a venue when looking for new members?

We have a quality evaluation process where each venue is reviewed by two of our board members and then recommended to the remainder of the board before we accept a new member into the consortium. The quality check covers meeting rooms, bedrooms, food quality, legislation, enquiry process, environment, cleanliness and security.

Why should venues consider becoming a member? What’s the benefit of being a ‘Venue of Excellence’?

We offer a fantastic range of benefits to our members, including sales where we work closely with the key conference placement agencies to gain useful knowledge on their client base and help

to gain appointments and presentation days for our members. Venues of Excellence also offers a free venue finding service to clients providing valuable business to its member venues.

Meanwhile, the Venues of Excellence training courses provide an environment where members can share their experience with, and learn from industry colleagues led by our experienced and knowledgeable industry experts.

“We believe quality is the primary factor to ensure the brand name and reputation remains, and we want to attract the best quality venues in the UK.” We also offer member events, cost savings, exhibitions, direct marketing and social media and a dedicated website for members to take advantage of.

In 2016 you guys rebranded from Conference Centres of Excellence to Venues of Excellence – why did you feel the company needed a rebrand?

We recognised we needed to take a strategic step to broaden our footprint within the wider hospitality and events

Venues of Excellence hosted a meet-up in March with the PA Life Club – check out some images from the evening over on page 49

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sector, to maximise value for its members and clients.

You now have 44 venues under the Venues of Excellence portfolio. How many venues would you like to join?

We believe quality is the primary factor to ensure the brand name and reputation remains, and we want to attract the best quality conference and event venues in the UK. Our strategic objective when we rebranded to Venues of Excellence was to gain 50 venues by 2020 and we are well on the way.

What are your plans for the company this year?

A keen focus on quality – we are implementing a quality team to include greater checks on the services provided by our venues. We want to host 12 membership events through the year and we aim to be present at more exhibitions, continue our focus on showcase weekends and presentation days, increase marketing deals, build further referrals to our member venues and give focus to the association market.

In addition, we plan to review our website and digital strategy to ensure we are continuously improving return on investment for our members.

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SPONSORED CONTENT: THE MEETINGS SHOW

The Meetings Show returns for 2018 Meet, network and learn at the biggest event for the UK meetings industry The UK’s biggest dedicated event for meeting planners across all sectors, The Meetings Show, is returning to Olympia London on 27 & 28 June 2018.

The two-day show provides planners with an opportunity to meet more than 700 individual exhibitors, including venues, hotels, destinations and technology suppliers, while enjoying a packed programme of educational sessions and networking opportunities.

The education programme is free to attend and will be tackling key issues including relationship building and partnership working, celebrating the Year of the Woman, event sustainability, innovations in meeting and events

technology and how to organise world-class meetings and events.

The Meetings Show is also unique in being the only UK event for the meetings industry with a hosted buyer programme.

Meetings and events planners can apply to attend on a one, two or three-day option which will give access to exclusive networking and education events, including a brand-new pre-show conference and welcome reception at The Science Museum, as well as supporting with travel and accommodation.

Registration for the hosted buyer programme is open to planners from event management agencies, venue

finding companies, incentive houses, associations, PCOs, AMCs, charities, government and corporate organisations.

Readers of PA Life visiting The Meetings Show are invited to an exclusive reception on the PA Life stand on Wednesday 27 June. The PA Life team will be hosting drinks on the stand from 3pm, as a thank-you to readers and members for all their support over the past year.

Hosted buyer registration for The Meetings Show is open now, with standard visitor registration opening on 27th March. For more information and to register, visit www.themeetingsshow.

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HOTEL REVIEW

Checking in: Borthwick Castle Heading to the countryside just outside of Edinburgh, Toby Cruse is given the royal treatment as he walks in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots and Oliver Cromwell

GOOD FOR… Connections to Edinburgh Exclusive hire Foodies

B

orthwick Castle has a very commanding presence among the rolling landscape. Built 600 years ago, the castle has seen its fair share of history and wears its age on its sleeve.

Once the home of Mary Queen of Scots, the castle still has most of its original brickwork; and that includes a rather large chunk smashed out by the cannons of Oliver Cromwell.

As we made our approach toward the large structure, I was terrified that we’d be spending the night curling up next to fires, covered in winter furs like something out of Game of Thrones, as there was no way that 600 year-old castle can be historically-maintained and warm and cosy. I was wrong.

Walking up the stone spiral staircase and into the great State Room, I was met by a great warmth; not just from the building, but from the staff who greeted us. The staff, many of whom are local to the area, were quick to seat us in the elegant lounge area, and provide us with a delicate, freshly baked cream tea. We had hardly been their half an hour when I was already assured that during our stay, no teapot, plate or champagne flute would be left empty for long. This is a venue where luxury is a priority.

Borthwick Castle’s head chef, Derek Johnstone, a man familiar with Michelin stars, having made his name winning the first ever Masterchef: The Professionals ten years ago, was preoccupied when we arrived on Saturday afternoon, as he was busy hunting the evening’s dinner himself. Coming under new management last year, the new team is

“The stories that fill the walls of Borthwick are the stuff of books, not reviews; there’s simply too much to tell and part of its charm is discovering it yourself.” ready to make some big moves in the hotel world.

The food was, as you’d expect, phenomenal. A five-course meal beginning with freshly caught pike and making its way through the most delicate and flavoursome local dishes. The only room on the ground floor, the Great Hall’s huge centrepiece is a grand fireplace that was so eye-catching that you could hear the gasps of every single guest to walk through the doors into the

CONTACT 01875 820514 borthwickcastle.com

hall. Sitting on the Minstrel’s Gallery, an elegant string quartet played throughout our entire three-hour meal.

Strictly speaking, Borthwick Castle isn’t in fact a hotel, as you cannot book a single room. Made up of two tall towers, the castle consists of the ten original rooms available 600 years ago, each with their own charm and stories – including the chamber of Mary Queen of Scots – and when booking a stay at Borthwick, you’re booking out the entire castle. Bookings are currently predominantly weddings, but the team are eager to embrace the corporate world, and the location is certainly not your everyday venue.

The biggest drawback for many will be the lack of signal. It’s unsurprising that being so far away from the rest of civilisation will lead to a poorer mobile reception, it’s just part of the overall package. The stories that fill the walls of Borthwick are the stuff of books, not reviews; there’s simply too much to tell and part of its charm is discovering it yourself as you examine the walls and read its books.

Taking a trip to Borthwick Castle is the closest way to make yourself feel like true royalty.

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You’re hired

Taking part in an apprenticeship can help secure the dream job for many students, while providing them with experience of a professional environment. Following the UK Government’s pledge to commit to 3m apprenticeship starts in England by 2020, Jade Burke speaks to some experts and PA Life readers on how the industry can make the most of these schemes

B

reaking into any industry can be a tough task with so much competition from candidates in the same field, so having the opportunity to take part in an apprenticeship can be invaluable. Students quite often seek training with an employer to prepare them for the working world, and the PA sector is no different.

Currently the UK Government offers an Apprenticeship Levy for employers to fund new apprenticeship schemes. In England the control of the funding is given to employers through the Digital Apprenticeship Service. The Levy is then charged at a rate of 0.5 per cent of an employer’s paybill; each employer then receives an allowance of £15,000 to offset against their Levy payment.

First introduced in April 2017, the Levy has proven to be a success and now that the Government has committed to an additional three million apprenticeship starts in England by 2020, it will

undoubtedly help to support new training by putting employers at ‘the centre of the system’.

“The Apprenticeship Levy is great, because it forces companies to do what they know they should be doing, which is to invest in sustained programmes of upskilling for their staff and to hire in fresh talent,” Ben Rowland, co-founder of Arch Apprentices, tells PA Life.

“For already experienced PAs and administrators, apprenticeships also offer an opportunity to keep skills current.”

Andrew Jardine, IAM “We’re seeing hundreds of businesses benefitting from smart deployment of their Levy funds – from productivity uplifts, to improved retention and to greater morale. Many are using it

specifically to meet the objective of addressing their digital skills gap.”

With over three million staff in administrative roles in the UK, which encompasses PAs, EAs, office managers, secretaries and admin assistants, it’s clear that the need for more training and apprenticeship schemes is more crucial than ever.

Andrew Jardine, general manager of the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM), explains: “The strength of an apprenticeship is that is covers a fully rounded set of knowledge, skills and behaviours. This is of particular value in administration since every job description has ‘ad hoc tasks as defined by management’. Increasingly the ad hoc tasks become the norm so the wider the skillset for an administrator the more employable they become.”

By offering work experience to fresh talent, employees will be able to benefit from skilled staff hungry to learn more

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APPRENTICESHIPS

incoherent. Apprenticeships are brilliant because they are sustained for at least 12 months and they are a coherent programme blending on the job and off the job with mentoring and coaching.”

Getting your foot in the door Quite often, students are encouraged to attend university, but this isn’t always an option due to the considerable costs to gain a degree. This is where an apprenticeship scheme can make a huge difference for school-leavers looking to get their foot on the career ladder.

Elizabeth Mendes Da Silva, PA at Barclays, concurs: “I know from a personal perspective that I nearly didn’t attend university because of the cost factor, so something like this helps solve that strain, as it is a real job with a salary and a real genuine qualification at the end of it.

“There are some expertise that can simply not be taught in the classroom, and can only be learnt through the job experience, which is what apprenticeships provide.”

Some industries are notoriously difficult to break into, and by giving about their role, while also acquiring relevant skills to a professional environment. On the other hand, experienced staff will be able to take advantage of their company’s offering if they are looking to upskill or even change positions.

Jardine enthuses: “For already established, experienced PAs and administrators, apprenticeships also offer an opportunity to keep skills current or to broaden their skills if they are looking to change roles.

“There are national qualifications and highly-thought of training programmes as well, but an apprenticeship is often a better option in terms of the breadth of subjects covered and the likelihood of employer investment.”

With many employees seeking more training, the opportunity to take part in an apprenticeship can be the difference between a staff member leaving their job role to find alternative training or remain and take advantage of the opportunities.

As Rowland explains: “One of the most common causes of dissatisfaction at work is a lack of training, and one of the most common features of corporate training is that it is scatter-shot and

“There are some expertise that can not be taught in the classroom, and can only be learnt through the job experience.”

Elizabeth Mendes Da Silva, Barclays students the chance to find work experience without the pressure of gaining a university degree, chances are that the apprenticeship they find will no doubt set them up for a future in their dream role.

Sally Russell, PA at the Greater London Authority, adds: “School leavers should have the option to be able to apply for apprenticeships, college or university.

Some find it easier to learn ‘on the job’ and the experience they get as an apprentice is invaluable.”

Both Barclays and the Greater London Authority (GLA) offer different types of work experience. Barclays offers three main types; traineeships, foundation apprenticeships and higher apprenticeships. Apprentices could be unemployed, changing careers, retired, have a disability or even work within the

bank, meaning absolutely no one is exempt from this scheme. Meanwhile, the GLA set up a scheme a few years ago where applicants can join through Outsource for a year’s apprenticeship.

“In my direct team for instance, three of my colleagues came off the back of the graduate apprenticeship program, and have been promoted steadily year-on-year, so I have seen this work first-hand,” reveals Da Silva.

Altering the Levy Despite the Levy proving to be a positive scheme for many employers, 53 per cent have expressed their desire to replace the Apprenticeship Levy with a Training Levy. Many have revealed that the scheme isn’t adding value to training and would like to see it change. However, Rowland warns that the alteration could cause more harm than good.

“Because definitions of training are so broad, there would be a real risk of the Levy being used for activities that aren’t about what the economy needs, which is sustained and deep skilling and upskilling,” he adds.

“Once confidence has grown around the current apprenticeship structure, then would be the time to look at whether actually targeted changes would be sensible. And let’s not forget, re-branding it as a Training Levy will risk completely losing any focus on getting young people into productive roles as soon as possible.”

Whatever the Government decides for the future regarding the Levy, any scheme that offers such training can only be a good thing for students looking to gain crucial experience in their desired job. Plus, with so many administrative roles available there is even more reason for employers to offer apprenticeships designed for assistants.

“The first thing would be for employers to get together to apply and create a new apprenticeship programme for PAs and EAs. Secondly, look at the wider business and see where the gaps are – do you need more digital marketing skills or IT technicians?” concludes Rowland.

“Is there a need to develop new software, analyse data or produce content? There are numerous apprenticeship standards available now which can help you meet these needs, and will provide real motivation and focus for your employees.”

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CITY GUIDE

Edinburgh A city of style, where tradition meets innovation, the Scottish capital proudly flies the flag as one of Britain’s top destinations for beauty, culture and class

£

DRINK

THE ELEPHANT HOUSE Sat in the back room of this little coffee house overlooking Edinburgh Castle, JK Rowling is one of a number of authors to have found inspiration inside. Writing up much of the early Harry Potter novels here, The Elephant House has played a special part in British literature. elephanthouse.biz

££ THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE You can’t avoid the sheer number of whisky bars in the city, each with their unique spin. The Devil’s Advocate, a Victorian pump house in Edinburgh’s Old Town, boasts over 300 whiskys along with a selection of food, wine and cocktails. devilsadvocateedinburgh.co.uk

EAT MUMS GREAT COMFORT FOOD We all want some home comforts from time to time, and that’s where Mums Great Comfort Food delivers.

With an ‘anti-ponce’ attitude, Mums’ food is all about locally sourced and inexpensive dishes from haggis to good old pie and mash. Bish, bash, bosh. monstermashcafe.co.uk

21212 It’s hard to beat the reputation of Paul Kitching’s Michelin-starred 21212 restaurant. Sat within a Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace, 21212’s menu changes every week and offers guests the opportunity to stay in one of its four bedrooms.

21212restaurant.co.uk EXPERIENCE

SCOTCH WHISKY EXPERIENCE With whisky so prominent throughout the city, it’s almost a waste to not get the full Scotch Whisky Experience.

Located on the Royal Mile itself, the experience includes an introduction to the world of whisky and can include up to three hours of tasting. scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk

EDINBURGH CASTLE The beating heart of the city is the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, home to a rich and preserved history culminating in the Scottish Crown Jewels themselves. Available for private hire, there’s no venue in the city to offer more breathtaking views. edinburghcastle.scot STAY

MOTEL ONE Scattered across Edinburgh is Motel One, a modern and stylish alternative to the regular chain hotel options.

At a more affordable price than you’d expect for its unique style and locations, the hotel is one to watch when setting your sights on the city. motel-one.com

OLD TOWN CHAMBERS In-keeping with its modern-chic surroundings, Lateral City’s Old Town Chambers can sleep up to six guests in one apartment. Embracing Scandinavian design atop Scottish architecture, relax in style overlooking the city in these signature aparthotels. lateralcity.com

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DISCOVER A B E A C H F R O N T R E T R E AT Our location places the best of Bournemouth within easy reach for a memorable visit. Enjoy our first-rate service and our 160 rooms and suites, many of which feature unparalleled views of the beach. To recharge or simply relax, our leisure club offers a heated indoor pool, a spa, a tennis court, a sauna, a gym and a seasonal outdoor pool. If you’re planning an event, we offer several indoor and outdoor venues to suit all your needs: e.g. a conference for up to 300 people or a summer party for 200 people with a BBQ on our private lawn.

To celebrate our newly refurbished function spaces, we are launching a summer promotion with a £30 daily delegate rate for the entire summer.

FOR MORE DETAILS, CONTACT OUR EVENT TEAM on 01202 557702 option 2 or email: mhrs.bohbm.events@marriotthotels.com BOURNEMOUTH HIGHCLIFF MARRIOTT HOTEL 105 St Michael’s Road, Bournemouth BH2 5DU @BournemouthHighcliffMarriottHotel @BmouthMarriott Terms and condition apply. Subject to availability. Offer available for any event held in June, July, August or September 2018 for more than 10 participants per day.

Half PA Life March/April.indd 3 CSM1004 Borunemouth a5 event advert aw.indd 1

18/03/2018 15:07 08/03/2018 14:49

Venues of Excellence is the leading collection of exceptional venues delivering excellence in conferences, training and events.

We specialise in meetings, conferences, specialist training courses, award dinners, product launches and team building to help take your events from the ordinary to the extraordinary!

Our venues cover a geographical footprint from the south coast of England to Scotland: • 44 venues – traditional to contemporary, our venues are as unique and diverse as your events • Over 4,000 bedrooms and 900 meeting rooms available within our member venues • 10 Venues offer tiered theatre seating • All-inclusive day delegate and residential delegate rates • Tailor made packages to suit your budget • Team building and extraordinary events are our venues speciality • All our venues have our Quality of Excellence kitemark

With a free Venue Find service managed by an experienced and highly skilled team, we work with you to find the right solutions for your business, sourcing venues throughout the UK and overseas.

Call our Venue Find team and start planning your next event with Venues of Excellence

0345 230 1414

www.venuesofexcellence.co.uk @VenExcellence

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Tried & tasted: Three Cranes Grilled specialities dominate the menu at the Three Cranes, where diners can step inside and enjoy some exquisite pub food. Jade Burke heads to the restaurant to check out its offering GOOD FOR… Intimate dinners Private functions Steak lovers Overnight accomodation Contact: 020 3455 7437

WHAT WE ATE: Prawn cocktail: £8.50 10z rump steak: £24 Chocolate mousse: £7 Apple sorbet with a shot of Calvados £8.50

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espite its exterior, the Three Cranes isn’t your usual London pub. The historic site can be found down Garlick Hill just outside of Mansion House tube station, where diners can expect something a little different from a traditional pub menu.

It’s a Friday night and the bar downstairs is teeming with revellers enjoying after-work drinks. It’s quite different to the relaxed atmosphere two floors up where an intimate restaurant, known as the Grill Room, is located.

Leather booth seats line the room and wooden chairs adorn the centre, while rows of wine bottles fill the shelves on one wall.

I notice the large windows along the back of the wall that open out onto the street below. I can’t wait to visit here in the summer to enjoy the warm evenings with a glass of wine.

After being shown to our seat we check out the menu, which I am told is ever-changing with new dishes and cuts of steak. Today the menu offers rib-eye, rump and onglet cuts of steak, as well as a pair of lamb chops.

Let’s not get ahead off ourselves though, first we pick a starter. I choose the prawn cocktail, while my guest is treated to some croquettes (something that the chef in particular wanted us to try). Both were absolutely delicious – however I was a little anxious that the prawn cocktail would be messy to eat as it was presented in a tall-stemmed glass.

“Having opened in December last year, the Three Cranes certainly has established itself as an exciting restaurant that champions grilled specialities.”

Moving on to our main course, the waiter tells us that the rib-eye isn’t available, so my guest and I opt for the rump steak. I was a little disappointed that there was no peppercorn sauce on the menu to accompany my meal, instead the restaurant boasts an extensive array of butters. Despite this, the anchovy and rosemary butter is a

Are you a budding food critic looking to share your thoughts on the latest restaurants?

Let us know at jade.burke@palife.co.uk and join us at our next review

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great partner for the cut of beef. The side dishes are also included with the meal, so diners can enjoy some pomme frites and salad without having to add any extra pennies to the bill.

Above us a separate dining room is also available to be hired out. Up to 30 guests can fit in this room where a range of events including business breakfasts or canapé receptions can be held. In addition, the Three Cranes can also offer diners a place to rest their head thanks to its serviced apartments in Bank.

Moving on to something sweet I choose the apple sorbet with lashings of Calvados, while my guest picks the chocolate mousse. After a heavy meal the temptation of sorbet was perfect to round off our meal. Devoured in minutes, my guest has nothing but praise for the chocolate dish.

Having opened last December, the Three Cranes certainly has established itself as an exciting restaurant that champions grilled specialities, all for a reasonable price in the heart of London, while catering to all sorts of party sizes and events.

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Use our venue finding service at palife.asemblr.co to find the perfect destination for your next team-building activity

We carried out our roundtable in London’s No. 4 Hamilton Place, 020 7670 4314

Take the morale high ground Known to help improve productivity and retention, team-building continues to be a popular tool to maintain relationships in the workplace. Jade Burke speaks to some experts in the industry to gain their thoughts on how companies can make the most of the process Team-building is a great way to maintain morale in the workplace – why should companies choose to hold these exercises?

Naomi White (NW): I think for my company it’s really great to offer team-building because we’re a software consultancy, so we have a lot of developers that are quite shy and very focussed during the day. Team-building activities allows them to come out of their shell.

Yvette Pearson (YP): Where I work we have about 30 people on-site and around 30 on another up in Leicestershire, so when we have team-building we try and incorporate both offices where we can get everyone together in one place. This helps to build relationships and the communication between staff gets strengthened by seeing people face-to-face and by

putting a face to a name – it makes a massive difference.

How often should companies offer these types of exercises throughout the working year?

NW: We tend to hold team-building events quarterly so people meet each other more often. We are having an off-site every year now as well at our other office, which is based in Portugal.

Lorraine Bow (LB): It all depends on the company – I have worked with teams where they have something new every month, but it comes down to the size of the team. I have also worked with small teams who do monthly events. I think it has an effect because people who have something every month seem really strong as a team, and if you’re an employer looking at retention it’s something to bear in mind.

How does your company support teambuilding activities?

YP: We usually have events where we have the whole company involved and the CEO is quite a big advocate of that.

He likes to get people together in a room, whether that is to chat to each

“Teams who have something every month seem really strong, and if you’re an employer looking at retention it’s something to bear in mind.”

Lorraine Bow, Musivate other about work or whether it’s to have dinner together, he’s very keen on that.

The only thing you have to worry about is physical time out of the office away from doing work and the budget.

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ROUNDTABLE

Yvette Pearson Pearson started her career at the age of 18, working for a Central London stockbrokers as an office administrator. Currently she is two years into an office manager career at a FinTech start-up.

Naomi White White is an administrative professional with four years’ experience working in tech, investment management and media.

She has worked at YLD and its group of companies since October 2017.

Can you give me some examples of where you have taken part in teambuilding exercises and seen their added benefit?

YP: One that we did included these big boxes that had a puzzle on the outside and you had to solve the puzzle to get into the box. Inside the box was lots of different puzzles and you received money for completing these tasks. In the

NW: I think we are really supportive of team-building as it’s essential that we meet each other at different points. You can discover people’s skills that you wouldn’t necessarily have known before, for example we took part in a tile-making class and we saw lots of different people, that I wouldn’t have thought, be really creative and they were amazing at making different patterns.

Lorraine Bow, you offer ukulele lessons as a form of team-building. How does this work?

LB: It can vary from ten people to 100 – we held one last year at the Kensington Roof Gardens and it was lovely. For each session I’ll come in and explain you don’t need to have any prior musical experience; I’m dyspraxic which means I have severe coordination issues so people always have this preconception that you have to be musical or that you have to have certain experiences, when actually it’s as easy as painting by numbers. And within an hour everyone is playing a well-known song and singing.

“Team-building is popular with management because I think they can see the improvement on productivity.”

Yvette Pearson, ESF Capital

end, it was the team with the most money that won and everyone just got ridiculously competitive.

We had split the teams up into groups of people who don’t normally work with each other, to try and see how people would interact with different people and to make sure there wasn’t one shy person with a group of loud people. It was absolutely brilliant and the next day you could see people ringing each other up instead of sending an email. It was as instant as that.

NW: In the past I have done axe throwing, which felt very daunting holding an axe in your hand. We have taken part in white water rafting as well.

Last year I also took part in the Crystal Maze which was fantastic.

Lorraine Bow Known as the fun facilitator at Musivate, a company that uses the ukulele to get teams working together, Bow has helped thousands of people to play their ukuleles, ranging between ten in a team to a company of 150 people.

What sort of advice would you give those who are shy and find teambuilding exercises daunting?

YP: It’s partly the responsibility of the person organising to make sure as many people as possible can be a part of it. I would go as far as to say if there is somebody who is particularly shy or quiet, get them involved in the organising of the event. That way, even if they still feel a bit shy they can feel proud that they helped contribute and that can sometimes boost someone’s confidence and really help them.

NW: It’s important to be aware of those people and to involve them and make them feel like they’re appreciated too.

They will gradually feel a bit more confident and take part in more conversations around them as well.

LB: It’s choosing the activities where everyone has the chance to contribute, because some activities lean towards extroverts and some include everybody.

It’s important to choose something that’s inclusive of everybody.

What’s the appeal of team-building?

Why does it continue to be so popular within the workplace?

YP: It’s popular with management because I think they can see the improvement on productivity when people do things like this. They can see the benefits, especially the communication between departments and offices when people get to know each other. It makes such a big difference in the workplace.

In summary: It’s clear team-building is still a popular tool many businesses incorporate into their annual budget, which many assistants and office managers are tasked with handling. Plus, with so many alternative methods to gain trust and networking between colleagues, from playing the ukulele to even learning to walk on fire, getting the team together to build relationships is a positive way to keep up morale and retention in the workforce.

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2018 PA LIFE SUMMIT

Join us at the 2018 PA Life Summit A packed day of seminars, face-to-face meetings and networking will make up the schedule for the 2018 PA Life Summit. Jade Burke reveals what guests can expect from this year’s event, which will be held at Altitude 360 London

2

018 will see the return of the PA Life Summit, where senior and board-level PAs and EAs will be able to meet face-to-face with key industry suppliers. A ‘must-attend’ event for any assistant’s calendar, the Summit will offer a day of invaluable networking and tutoring from specialists.

Altitude 360 London is partnering with PA Life to host the one-day event, which takes place on Monday, September 10.

Located on the 29th floor of

Westminster’s tallest building, guests will be able to soak up the famous views of London’s iconic skyline.

On the day, visitors to the Summit will be able to take part in pre-selected meetings in their own meeting area, while speaker sessions will also take place during the day. Confirmed speakers include Adam Fidler, principal and founder of the Adam Fidler Academy, who will discuss Gender Intelligence: Understanding

“It’s fantastic to see our must-attend event return again this year. We hope that everyone who comes along finds the Summit a useful event to develop new relationships and secure new business leads.”

Jade Burke, PA Life

WHAT 2017’S GUESTS HAD TO SAY “Fantastic day of industry speed dating. Thank you very much for a very well organised event.”

“Very useful, made lots of new contacts with new ideas to take back to the workplace, Thank you.”

“It’s so refreshing to meet in a new special, bespoke venue with industry experts. Building a successful network is key.”

Viacom

Laird PLC

MetLife

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2018 PA LIFE SUMMIT

KEY INFO When: Monday, September 10

“The time that EAs and PAs have is extremely precious.

That’s why the PA Life Summit is such a great event.”

Neal Poole, Capita Travel and Events

Where: Altitude 360 London Complementary Styles At Work, while Gerry Nwimo, client development manager at Take the Mike Events, will share his thoughts on Memorable Ways To Boost Teamwork In The Workplace.

Jillian Haslam, motivational speaker at Help Yourself Associates, will also lead a session on the day.

A variety of suppliers are already on board to support 2018’s Summit, including the likes of House of Commons, Mercedes-Benz, Whittlebury Hall, Capita Travel and Events, Segway Events, Take the Mike, Hatfield House and All About Venues, with many more still to be announced. Each of which will also be on hand to meet with delegates on the day to discuss potential partnerships, while also building on existing ones.

“The time that EAs and PAs have is extremely precious. That’s why the PA Life Summit is such a great event; PAs can learn how our smart travel, meetings and events solutions can help them to get ahead in their professional lives, while we all strengthen existing relationships and build new ones in a relaxed environment,” Neal Poole, director of marketing at Capita Travel and Events, tells PA Life.

“The Summit attracts an audience that is always excited to see the ways that other PAs and their VIPs benefit from our service, which is so much more than just traditional business travel booking.”

Meanwhile, regular coffee breaks will provide guests with the opportunity to network with other peers in the industry.

In addition, an evening of networking drinks, where over 100 PAs will join, and a buffet lunch will give PAs the chance to strengthen relationships and build new ones.

“It’s fantastic to see our must-attend event return again this year,” reveals Jade Burke, editor of PA Life. “We hope that everyone who comes along finds the Summit a useful event to develop new relationships and secure new business leads, as well as enjoying the thrilling views of London’s skyline from Altitude 360. Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of this unique event.”

The Summit is completely free for PAs and EAs to attend, contact Laura Spratt now on 01992 374053 or L.Spratt@forumevents.co.uk.

While suppliers and those looking to sponsor should get in touch with Charlotte Russell on 01992 374080 or charlotte.russell@palife.co.uk.

“Speed dating with clients – a great way to interact and meet new clients and get in the mind of what they want.”

“A very well organised event. I found the clients I was paired with were good quality and I made a lot of new contacts.”

“We had a really useful day, meeting lots of new contacts and look forward to some new opportunities that will arise.”

Lee Valley White Water Centre

Royal Airforce Museum

The Hippodrome Casino

SCHEDULE 08.00 – 08.45 Delegate registration --------------------------------------------

8.45 – 9.30 Opening presentation --------------------------------------------

9.45 – 10.30 Seminars --------------------------------------------

10.30 – 12.40 Face-to-face meetings --------------------------------------------

12.40 – 13.25 Networking buffet lunch --------------------------------------------

13.25 – 17.00 Face-to-face meetings --------------------------------------------

17.00 – 17.45 Interactive workshop --------------------------------------------

17.45 – 19.00 Canapés and drinks reception

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OUT OF OFFICE

Read all about it This month’s motivational must-read book

Rest Is The New Sport Author: Jef Geys Paperback available to buy on Amazon: £13.41, Kindle edition: £7.99

Reviewed

by Ewen Lyall, freelance journalist

Rest Is The New Sport, a self-published guide originally released in Belgium and translated into English, is the whirlwind, modest subspecies within the health and lifestyle genre.

Written by Jef Geys, the book outlines fatigue in its many forms, how to recognise it in yourself, and subsequently how work, diet, sleep, travel and exercise patterns can work in tandem to alleviate a fatigued body and mind – all contained within 160 pages.

Geys is of the view that many other health and lifestyle guides don’t acknowledge the individual needs of people consuming their top tips, no matter what specialism. Health fads, for instance, aren’t concerned with the intricacies of their target audience, their pre-existing nutritional balance or routines.

The coconut water or Aloe Vera pulp swimming around in your system first thing in the morning is not necessarily the missing cog of your daily routine, in the same way hitting

the gym to ‘unwind’ and relieve stress may actually perpetuate it in the long run.

What Rest Is The New Sport lacks in flair – or perhaps loses in translation – is made up for by providing a blank canvas with a series of general formulae and clear, extensive tips for realigning parts of your life suffering from the effects of fatigue.

It’s in the section of ‘physical solutions’ to fatigue, as he puts it, where Geys’ combined insight gained from years as a physiotherapist and former cyclist really shines. Because of his background, it would be easy for him to fall into the trap of saying: “This worked for me so it’ll work for you,” as someone who has been there and done it, but it’s commendably withdrawn and reader-focused.

Not that there’s a quick-fix, however, as Geys stresses, the routine might change immediately but feeling the long-term benefits is another half of the battle.

DATES FOR THE DIARY Networking, learning and things to keep in mind Tuesday, April 03 Future in 15: The Future of #Eventprofs Recruitment

Tuesday, April 24 Conference and Hospitality Show 2018 Monday, May 7 Early May Bank Holiday

Thursday, March 29 PA Life Event: Meet-up at Tower Hotel Friday, March 30 Good Friday Sunday, April 1 Easter Sunday

Thursday, April 19 PA Life Event: Meet-up at Sandals store

Monday, April 2 Bank Holiday Monday

Monday, April 23 St George’s Day

Tuesday 15 – Wednesday 16, May London Christmas Party Show

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FORWARD FEATURES FOR 2018 Don’t miss your chance to get involved with these upcoming issues of PA Life

MAY/JUNE THE CHRISTMAS ISSUE

What you missed…

It’s been a busy few months for the PA Life Club – we took our members to a variety of venues including the Agent Provocateur store in Soho, Churchill War Rooms and new Lebanese restaurant Abd el Wahab. The PA Life Club also hosted a networking event with Venues of Excellence, where around 100 PAs were invited to Broadway House to meet and greet with the firm’s many venue spaces, including The Lensbury, Bright Vision and more.

PA Life scoops PA-Assist award for 4th year running PA Life has retained its title as the winner of the PA-Assist Members’ Voice award for Best PA Industry Publication for a fourth year.

2017 marked a massive turning point for PA Life, where we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a larger push on supporting our PA Life Club Members, as well as a big change-up to the team.

“The whole team are so thrilled to be taking home this award for yet another year,” said Jade Burke, editor of PA Life. “It’s a testament to the strength of our readers and feels really rewarding after such a big year of change.”

WELCOME TO THE CLUB This issue we would like to welcome Christina Baronovitch from Strettons, Vicky Gray from Tideway, Marysol Arias from South African Airways, Viya Bishay from Eurostar, Vicki Greenham from Summit Therapeutics, Christie

Sweeting from Wipro Consulting, Lindsay Cashman from Helaba, Lynda McElligott from North Norfolk District Council, Joanne Klein from BGL Group and Georgina Bissenden from The Waldorf Hilton to the PA Life Club.

ME

WE

O LC

Forget Christmas in December, PAs start planning their company’s festive celebrations much earlier. We present everything an assistant needs to put together the perfect Christmas party, from pre-planned packages and blank-canvas venues to the best and more indulgent catering and entertainment options.

JULY/AUGUST THE VENUES ISSUE With a London focus, we take a look at some of the more unique venues the capital has to offer.

Conference and academic venues are also a key focus for this issue. Plus, we give you the lowdown on locating and sourcing the perfect venue for your event.

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OUT OF OFFICE

“WE ALL TRY TO AVOID TALKING ABOUT BREXIT, BUT I THINK THE CHANGES WILL MAKE IT A LONG, TECHNICAL PROCESS FOR PAS TO CHECK TRAVEL LOGISTICS AND WHETHER ANY VISAS ARE NEEDED.”

Work + life After starting out as a hairdresser, Kate Woodhatch took on a new challenge as a PA at Farnborough International. Here, she reveals what skills she has learnt to help shape her career What inspired you to start a career in the PA industry?

Before I started my career I was a hairdresser, which I absolutely loved. But after I had my first child, I decided to try something new and looked for a career change.

I went back to college and did a Bookkeeping, Business Studies and Social course. I then gathered experience in a few admin jobs, which helped me gain the skills I have now. I love to help others and enjoy being creative so becoming a PA was a natural progression.

How did you get your current job?

I worked in the financial services industry for 11 years. During that time, I worked my way up through several different roles and expanded my knowledge across the business. The opportunity then arose to become a PA for the MD, wanting a new challenge I applied and got the job.

When you were younger, what did you want to do when you grew up?

Ironically, I always wanted to be a hairdresser. I’ve always been creative and so I didn’t fancy sitting and typing at school like my friends were planning. Instead, to become a hairdresser I had to take GCSE Art, Woodwork and Architecture, and was

the only girl in the class. The subjects didn’t interest me, but it’s what I had to do to get me where I wanted to be.

If you had to start again, what would you do differently?

Honestly – I wouldn’t change a thing. By following the path that I have, it has got me to where I am today.

What’s the biggest concern you feel is having an impact on the PA industry?

Without getting too deep into it – Brexit. We all try to avoid talking about it, but I think it could make planning travel for people increasingly difficult. The changes will make it a long, technical process for PAs to check travel logistics and whether any visas are needed.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Besides Tom Hardy… I love to dance. I’m known as the ‘dancing queen’ among my friends and I’m usually the first one up on the dancefloor and the last one off.

If you were a cocktail what would you be?

A Long Island Iced Tea – a bit of everything – variety is the spice of life.

A better place to learn.

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London’s state of the art meeting and training venue. www.centred.london 50 PALife March_April_v5.indd 1 026_CentrEd_LonVenSum_advert_210x40mm_0318.indd 1

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CESSNA CITATION MUSTANG C510 TECHNICAL DATA Year of Manufacture

2008 – 2010

Cruising altitude Cruising speed Passenger seats Luggage Capacity

12,497 m 630 km/hr.

4 (+ one infant under the age of 2 yrs.)

Ski compartment Golf bag extension Non-Smoking Cabin Emergency Toilet Range*

25 kg per pax Yes Yes Yes Yes 1 pax: 2000 km / 3:15 hrs. flight time 2 pax: 1700 km / 2:45 hrs. flight time 3 pax: 1400 km / 2:15 hrs. flight time 4 pax: 1100 km / 1:50 hrs. flight time

*Range according to commercial flight operation rules (including reserves for holding and diversions, if required)

RANGE MAP

Haugesund

GĂśteborg Glasgow

Passenger allowance = 1 Pax Passenger allowance = 2 Pax

Liverpool Luton Lu

Berlin

Passenger allowance = 3 Pax

Warsaw

Kiev

Budapest

Geneva

Passenger allowance = 4 Pax

Zaragoza Zaragoz Madrid

Malaga

Full page PA Life March/April.indd 3

Athens

Cagliari Palermo Paler

Malta

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conference

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THINK

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T H I N K AGA I N . . .

CORPORATE EVENTS FOR PEOPLE WHO THINK DIFFERENTLY. Spectacular venues by the sea. Flexible event spaces. Fantastic food and accommodation. Team-building activities. Exclusive hire. Dedicated event teams who bring out the best in people. All you need under one roof.

Today, Butlin’s is a whole new place, and many of the country’s biggest companies are thinking differently about us. Isn’t it time you did too?

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BUTLIN’S BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE BUTLINS.COM/EVENTS @BUTLINS_EVENTS

0330 102

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*Terms and conditions apply.

Calls to 03 numbers are charged at standard UK rates and may vary from mobiles. These calls are included in any inclusive packages.

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