Hays and The Times Name Louisa James as PA of the Year 2011
By Hays Plc, PRNESunday, June 19, 2011
LONDON, June 20, 2011 -
Hays and The Times have announced that Louisa James, of
Wandsworth, London, has triumphed in the Hays and The Times PA of
the Year Award 2011, being named the country’s top PA. Her energy
and enthusiasm have seen her expand her role, embracing significant
project management and organisational leadership such as being
actively involved in the ‘Jamie’s 30-minute meals’ award-winning
app, helping her secure the top spot.
PA to the managing director at Jamie Oliver Ltd, Louisa was
announced as the winner at an awards ceremony held by Hays, the
leading recruiting expert, at Flemings Hotel, Mayfair, London on
the 19th of May. Louisa has won a five night break for two in
Prague, courtesy of Portman Travel. She will also receive a place
on The PA Retreat, an intensive residential training programme for
management PAs, courtesy of Castalia Coaching & Training.
Louisa said: “I feel so honoured to be chosen as the PA of the
Year. I give my job my all, and to be recognised like this is a
wonderful feeling. People often don’t realise the huge impact PAs
can have in an organisation, so it’s wonderful to be acknowledged
like this.”
Second place was awarded to Christopher Juliff, diary, visits
and events manager to the NHS chief executive. The judges praised
Christopher’s passion for his career and his expertise, along with
his outstanding attention to detail in a high pressured
environment. They also noted his strong personal commitment to the
diversity agenda.
Third place went to Zara Dyer, PA to the managing director at
Liverpool Football Club. The judges were impressed by her passion
for developing a PA network in the North and skill in being able to
support her boss in a way that maximises her time and
effectiveness.
As well as the three finalists, the three runners up were:
Jennifer Batty, executive assistant to associate and executive
directors of Russell Reynolds Associates; Lisa Partridge, PA to
Michael Caines MBE and Sharon Walsh, executive assistant to the HR
director at Channel 4.
The awards were presented by Michelle Mone founder and co-owner
of MJM International and creator of Ultimo, the UK’s leading
designer lingerie brand.
Michelle declared: “Congratulations to Louisa, who has fought
off some stiff competition to claim this year’s Award. She and all
the finalists have shown just how valued the roles of PAs and
executive assistants really are. People in this role make a
considerable contribution to businesses across the country, so it’s
great to be putting the spotlight on them.”
This year’s judging panel consisted of: Susie Barron-Stubley,
managing director of Castalia, the coachingandtraining company;
Gareth Osborne, director general of the Association for Personal
Assistants (APA); Laura Richardson, last year’s winner; and Geoff
Sims, managing director of Hays PA & Secretarial.
Geoff Sims, managing director at Hays PA & Secretarial,
added: “Congratulations to Louisa and to all the finalists.
Everyone should be very proud of their achievements. PAs play a
crucial role and our research suggests that although they
underestimate how important to an organisation they are, over 80%
of employers say that office support workers provide essential
support and are the backbone of the organisation.”
About Hays:
Hays PA & Secretarial is part of Hays plc, the leading
global specialist recruitment group. It is market leader in the UK
and Australia, and one of the market leaders in Continental
Europe.
As of 31 December 2010, the Group employed 7,086 staff operating
from 257 offices in 30 countries across 17 specialisms. Specialist
roles include
jobs, architecture jobs,
jobs and
paralegal jobs.
For further information please contact:
Claire Fowler
Hays
Stockley House
130 Wilton Road
London
SW1V 1LQ
+44(0)20-7259-8821
www.hays.co.uk
.
Tags: Hays Plc, June 20, London, United Kingdom
