PA Life January 2018 by PA Life

SP O TL BU IG SI HT NE TR

S O AI S T N. NI RA NG V .. EL

WHAT ARE YOU WORTH? THE NEW HAYS SALARY GUIDE WILL TELL YOU JOB SHIFT THE KEY TRENDS HAVING AN IMPACT ON RECRUITMENT IN 2018

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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 2018 has been billed as the year dreams will come true, with more and more employees planning to complete their goals by the end of the year. With this in mind, I’ve decided to hit the gym and ditch the chocolate – here’s hoping I can last longer than the two weeks I managed last year... 2017 also marked another brilliant year for PA Life with an increase in events and the PA Life Club growing. Throughout this year we will be scheduling a number of new Masterclasses and Meet-Ups at unique locations, while the PA Life Summit will also return. 2018 looks set to be very exciting indeed. Meanwhile, Viacom’s duo Anna Chan and Joanna Khoo star in the PA Profile this month. I headed to Viacom’s Camden office to meet the pair to discuss their time in the industry, what it’s like to handle three executives’ diaries and why a PA career was right for them. Read all about my visit on page 12. The recruitment industry continues to see new trends emerging, not least the development of new technology and the upcoming exit from the European Union. We catch up with Tate’s David Clubb and Adam Weir on page 33 to discuss their thoughts on the changes. Recognised for its grand history, iconic university and of course punting, Cambridge has it all when it comes to looking for a corporate trip in the UK. Turn to page 37 to check out Toby Cruse’s review of the city’s Hotel Felix. Hays has released its 2018 UK Salary and Recruitment guide, which has found that 58 per cent of PAs are unhappy with their salaries. Over on page 44 we take a look at the recent findings. We have also released our annual reader survey online, and we would love to hear your thoughts on all aspects of the PA industry. Head to surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LXNMNBM now to complete yours. The issue is rounded up with our addition of regular guides – this month we take a look at business travel and training. Turn to page 22 for more on these. As 2018 gets underway, I hope the New Year brings you good fortune, health and happiness, even if you have chosen to cut out sugar and your favourite tipple. Stick to your New Year’s resolutions – we can do this. Jade Burke, Editor

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CONTRIBUTORS

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

JacquĂŠ Gabellone, AC Luxe A travel industry professional for over 13 years, Gabellone has worked for global brands including Emirates and Lufthansa in Europe, Africa, the Far East and the USA. @acluxeuk

Mandy Jennings, Venues of Excellence Boasting over 25 years of sales and marketing experience in hotel and conference centres, Jennings set up her own company Paje Consultancy around eight years ago. @VenExcellence

Darryl Samuels, Souters Training Samuels is an experienced mentor who has delivered training courses to PAs from many organisations across the world. He currently offers his expertise at Souters Training. @secretarypa

Jochen Schnadt, BMI Regional As a senior airline and aviation executive, Schnadt has worked in the industry for over 20 years across a number of airlines including British Airways, Virgin, Flybe and Aer Lingus. @bmiregional

Anna Walmsley, VIP Event Management Walmsley provides a consultancy dedicated to searching, providing and operating turnkey incentive programmes and events throughout the French Pyrenees and Barcelona. @awVIPevents

MEET THE TEAM

Jade Burke, Editor 01992 666723

Toby Cruse, Junior Content Writer 01992 374095

Charlotte Russell, Media Sales Manager 01992 374080

Emily Mayhew, Media Sales Executive 01992 374064

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 - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

44 Hays Salary Survey A look at what assistants are earning across the country

12 PA Profile Viacom’s Anna Chan and Joanna Khoo discuss their time in the PA industry

47 33 Feature: Recruitment We review some of the key trends making an impact on the market

Business travel From consultants and serviced apartments to travel management companies, PA Life covers it all in this issue’s travel guide

Hotel review We head to the city of Cambridge to visit the Hotel Felix to check out its unique Victorian design, as well as its various conference and meeting spaces

Interview: King’s Centre The Oxford-based centre reveals all, from its top tips for PAs looking to host a meeting to what events it can cater for

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NEWS BITES

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

Dreaming big 2018 is the year dreams are set to come true for many Brits. Employees felt that they wasted their time pursuing their dreams throughout 2017, with 77 per cent admitting that 2018 will be their year. Tech firm Huawei found that the average Brit wasted around £7,000 on chasing their dreams in the last year without anything to show for it. With many workers spending around 40 minutes a day contemplating what they could change, it seems 2018 is the year to do so.

MEETING SPACE With prices for British venues expected to fall this year, according to a new report by Meetings Benchmark, PA Life asked its Twitter followers what they look for from a venue. The results came in neck in neck, with respondents choosing ease of travel, lower venue price and something unique all ranking at 33 per cent each.

“While it’s easy to understand how the daily grind and our busy lives take over, if you genuinely have a gift for writing

77%

believe that 2018 will be their year songs or stories, drawing or playing an instrument, it should be encouraged,” Joanna Hollins, head of marketing at BIC commented following the news that more employees are ditching their

dreams and talents for the sake of their company last year. “It would be great to see more than 28 per cent of the population pursue a career that cultivates their talent.” Starting up a business was among the top dreams for respondents, with around 40 per cent hoping to become their own boss. Meanwhile, one in five want to do something extreme such as sky diving and 35 per cent are looking to take on a career in a more creative industry, such as film or music. Do you have a new ambition for 2018? Let us know @PALifeMag.

Slacking off As we return to work after the festive break where we gorged on mince pies and plenty of turkey, it seems not all employees are in the right mindset to slip back into their daily routine. Tactical toilet breaks, booking meeting rooms for a quick gossip and even taking compassionate leave for the death of a non-existent loved one

has cropped up on the list of 50 ways workers are slacking off. Researchers who polled 2,000 office workers found that employees will avoid their workload by online shopping, taking cigarette breaks, pretending to photocopy, watching TV and wearing headphones – to name a few.

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Training game More than half of employers currently paying the apprenticeship levy have revealed they would like to see it replaced with a training levy. According to new research carried out by CIPD, a survey of more than 1,000 employers found that 46 per cent of levy-payers will be encouraged to re-badge current training activity in order to comply with the new regulations. More than half will alter their existing training activity into level two apprenticeships, equivalent to five GCSEs. “Our research shows that the straitjacket of the apprenticeship levy is forcing many firms to re-badge a lot of their existing training as apprenticeships, as they seek to claw back the levy they pay,” said Lizzie Crowley, skills adviser at the CIPD. “In many instances this is not adding any additional value and is creating a lot of additional bureaucracy and cost.” In order to ensure the tax increases both the quantity and quality of apprenticeship starts, CIPD suggests that the Government reforms the apprenticeship levy into a more flexible training levy, runs an awareness campaign to promote the levy and its benefits and invests £13 million a year to provide HR support to small businesses. Crowley added: “The Government needs to seriously review the levy to ensure it is flexible enough to respond to employers’ needs, and to drive the greater investment in high quality training and workplace skills needed to boost UK productivity.”

Bigger budgets 40 per cent of buyers are due to have bigger travel budgets for the New Year, compared to 32 per cent 12 months ago. New research carried out by the Business Travel Show found 49 per cent of buyers will have more money to spend on air travel and accommodation, while 45 per cent expect to manage more trips next year.

Feeling blue? Known as the most depressing day of the year, we asked our Twitter followers how they were feeling on Blue Monday (January 15). 46 per cent of you said you are focussing on work, while 15 per cent chose fitness. 23 per cent pleaded to go home, and 16 per cent of you failed to even notice it was supposedly the gloomiest day of 2018.

40%

of buyers will have bigger travel budgets in 2018 07

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ADVICE

Forming an alliance Building a strong relationship is key between an executive and assistant, reveals Adam Fidler. Here he shares his thoughts on the importance of forming a long-term partnership

here is an old saying that a first-class assistant can make an average executive look good, but an average assistant can make a first-class executive look very bad indeed. This is true, and it suggests most forcibly the essence of success in the relationship between the two. Too many bosses and PAs don’t seem to understand the importance of taking the time and steps to build a long-term partnership, and still fall back on technology as the answer to everything. Now, I am certainly one for technology – artificial intelligence and automation is a fact we have to face – but we have to remember that if assistants don’t take the steps to showcase their biggest strength, which is their own emotional intelligence, then the assumption made is that their role is replaceable. I teach all of my students that they must not sit and wait for their executives to enquire as to how they add value,

they must show them at every opportunity that they both constitute a team of their own, which is just as much an integral part of the management department as the status and duties of the executive on their own. We should not expect executives to know how to use an assistant, especially with younger bosses who often come through the ranks without ever having had one before.

“Too many bosses and PAs don’t seem to understand the importance of taking the time and steps to build a long-term partnership, and still fall back on technology as the answer.” In a technological world, it’s now paramount that the PA leads on the partnership and shows their readiness to support their executive and make him or her more successful. Employers don’t automatically have confidence in every aspect of the work of their assistant and we know through

gender intelligence (yes, that’s another piece of research) that executives trust their assistants by seeing results, execution and delivery on promises that are made. We also know that the prime purpose of any PA is to allow their executive to have the time to carry out his or her essential function. The assistant’s main duty, therefore, must be to know what is and what is not the bosses work, and devise new methods of working so that the executive is relieved of any unnecessary detail. If PAs get this right they show their employer that the foundation is set for them to do more. With today’s modern leadership styles of executives, we cannot take it for granted that the executive knows the role of the PA. However, we must take it for granted that the PA does know the role and will take small steps, along a time-consuming journey, to develop a partnership based on reciprocity, alliance and a complementary style of working. This is reverse-mentoring at its most powerful, and something every assistant can play a part in.

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HOW TO GUIDES

HOW TO…

deal with a recruiting agent Finding your ideal job can be a gruelling process, considering the intense competition among candidates. To help combat this Darryl Samuels, executive PA trainer at Souters Training, reveals how job-seekers can make the most of recruiting agents

n a competitive job market, a recruiting agent can be an invaluable asset to have in your corner. With their extensive contact list and industry insight, an agent can point you to the right employment opportunities, saving you time and frankly the effort of finding the right job. For this to work, it is vital to build a stable and mutually beneficial relationship with your recruiter. Be prepared to sell yourself The job of a recruiting agent is not to get you a job per se; preferably it is to match you with prospective employers who will determine if you are a good match for their company. Typically recruiters deal with hundreds of candidates at a time so you must be able to sell your skills and accomplishment to the agency to stand out from the crowd. Your recruiter will only be able to advocate for you if you give them a solid case to present to potential employers, so start developing your personal ‘sales pitch’. Build a relationship based on honesty Honesty is always the best policy when dealing with a recruiter. Be upfront about

the companies and positions you have already applied to, be honest about any employment gaps in your résumé and avoid misrepresenting your skills or educational background. From years of experience and a network of contacts, a recruiter can easily find out about your job search efforts and your entire history.

“A good recruiter could be the golden key to your dream job – the more valuable you show yourself to be, the more you will gain from a recruiting agent.” Show that you value them You reached out to a recruiter for the reason to value their expertise, experience and resourcefulness of the industry. There is nothing that wastes their time more than an uncooperative candidate who will not make an effort to listen to and follow up with the recruiter’s suggestions. If the agent recommends amendments to your résumé and cover letter, cooperate with them as they likely know what they are

doing. Good agencies will also prep you for any interviews you have, so you want to show a willingness to understand more about prospective employers and how to improve your chances of bagging the dream job. Keep putting in the work The truth is, you need the recruiting agency more than they need you. You cannot have just a single interaction with an agent and expect the job offers to come flooding in. You need to build a good rapport with them so they will be your eyes and ears for great job offers in the market. Be sure to keep in touch with them too, let them in on new opportunities you have come across and how you have found meaningful ways to contribute to their success. This way, you will always be a priority when the right job role comes up. The bottom line A good recruiter could be the golden key to your dream job – the more valuable you show yourself to be, the more you will gain from your relationship with a recruiting agent.

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Image by Oliver Olsson

HOW TO GUIDES

HOW TO…

host an event abroad Anna Walmsley, owner of DCM VIP Event Management in the South of France, reveals her top tips for companies looking to hold an overseas meet-up

ore and more companies are reaping the rewards of taking their employees abroad for seminars, exercises, business or incentive trips. It is an attractive treat that will encourage employees or partners to achieve all sorts of outcomes including business goals, confidence building and learning new skills. It’s all very well holding such events on-site, but you might find there is far more incentive and enthusiasm if there’s the added bonus of a trip for whatever it is you’re trying to achieve with your activity. Otherwise, it might just feel like ‘another day at the office’. Throwing in a bit of cultural fun, as well as achieving the aims of the event’s message is likely to gain much more too. So, where do you start with planning your trip? It’s really important that if you do choose to go abroad that you have someone to be your eyes and ears, who speaks your own language and the language of the country you’re going to. Planning well in advance and building a relationship with someone who is an expert at planning these events is key. With the right management company, all

trips can be tailored to suit any budget, be it a weekend break in the country or an all-singing, all-dancing holiday of a lifetime. Remember, different trips will suit different people so try and gauge your audience correctly. Whatever the trip ends up being – it’s still a big reward for the employee.

“Spend time finding the right expert who will carry out the correct research on your behalf, but more importantly someone you can build a trusting relationship with.” You’ll need an expert on the ground well in advance who you can build a relationship with early on. They will have extensive local knowledge and know a wide-range of local suppliers and should be able to provide you with a flawless, smooth schedule. They will be there to look after all your needs from the day you initially engage, through to when it’s time to go home. This will allow you to focus on what matters most while you are away –

team-building, information sharing, brainstorming or decision-making. A true expert in their field will go the extra mile to help relieve any of the stresses that planning such events abroad can entail. Look for someone who can offer you a range of options on where to stay and types of transport so you can select the most suitable for your event. They should also personally visit each of the venues, and even send you copies of sample menus and wine lists in advance. On top of this, look for someone who will be able to help you organise guided tours and let you know what the best activities are in the area. You could be missing out on so much if you don’t get the right person to assist and end up being pulled from pillar to post, rather than experiencing the true culture of the destination. In short, spend a bit of time finding the right expert who will carry out the correct research on your behalf, but more importantly someone you can build a solid, trusting relationship with as that person will become a big part of your journey.

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HOW TO GUIDES

HOW TO… book business travel Planning travel arrangements can be tricky with so many factors to consider from agents and policies. Jacqué Gabellone, sales manager at business travel organiser AC Luxe, shares her thoughts on how you can make the most of a travel budget

s one of the largest expense areas for most businesses, travel is essential to cementing existing and building new corporate relationships. But how do you make the most of your travel budget and ensure your agency is giving you the best deal? Know your parameters as most companies have existing travel policies. While it might be tempting to book your boss into a boutique hotel, be sure to know if you need to book through an appointed agent, at specific hotels or on pre-selected airlines. Your travel agent is there to help, will take care of all the negotiations and use their contacts to get you a good price. But, just like any good assistant/ executive partnership, the more information you give your agent about travel plans, dietary requirements and other preferences, the easier it will be to get exactly what you need first time. If you’re booking a route that’s out of the ordinary, don’t be afraid to research a similar trip yourself to ensure you’re getting a good deal. If you feel like

there’s a better option out there, ask your travel agent to explore it. The travel industry speaks its own language at times. If you encounter any terms you’re not familiar with when negotiating your travel contract, just ask. People who work in travel are a friendly bunch and often forget they’re using jargon, so your agent should have no

“Your travel agent is there to help, will take care of all the negotiations and use their contacts to get you a good price.” problem explaining what ADR (average daily rate), LRA (last room availability) or any of the other acronyms mean. To help your travellers be prepared for their journey, be sure to pass on those e-tickets and booking confirmations. Use diary appointments to store these (including setting the time zone for where they’ll be at the time), as is

downloading apps for digital boarding cards. Provide print outs in case digital access isn’t possible. Depending on the business, most travel organisations deem a group to be at least eight or ten guests that are travelling the same route or staying at the same hotel. So, if you’re just booking the flights for your boss but know they’re joining a larger contingency, let your agent know so they can ensure your company’s getting the best value for their money. Communication is key so always be clear on who your VIPs are when making a list of travellers for your travel agent. Getting the hierarchy right means you won’t end up with your CEO in a twin share room, while a junior events assistant is staying in a top suite. Lastly, if you know your boss likes an aisle seat but needs to work on a short-haul flight, book a seat that allows their dominant hand to be aisle side. This will provide them with more arm and elbow room when writing or reading during their journey.

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HOW TO GUIDES

HOW TO… source a venue space Finding the perfect venue for a meeting or event isn’t as simple as it used to be. Mandy Jennings, executive director at Venues of Excellence shares her top tips

he art of finding the ideal venue must start with an idea of the objectives and goals of the event. Always start with a clear picture of what you want before you start your search – the more detailed the brief the better. Then when you’re talking to potential venues, you are prepared with the questions you need to ask. This is particularly important if you’re not able to attend a physical show around and are relying on a photo or video. Experience over content We hear all the time that planners are now not just expected to organise and hold a meeting, but to create meaningful and memorable experiences. In fact, the IACC found in its January 2017 report Meeting room of the future, that 75 per cent of meeting planners say their role involves more ‘experience creation’ than it did just two or five years ago. So, the task of finding a venue is now as much about how the space can help to tell the story as it is the practicalities of capacity and equipment. Finding a venue that suits and reinforces the key goals and messages of the event will help to bring the experience to life. We have seen some fantastic ideas at some of our venues,

from personalised presentations to elaborate themes. Social media can be a useful measure, if your delegates are tweeting and posting images of your event then you are likely to have struck on success. Embrace the senses A great venue will have its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest food and drink trends. Crafting the perfect

“Networking and relationship building is often a component of a successful event so ask venues what ideas they have to enable and encourage peer-to-peer collaboration.” meeting menu that not only excites and fills the senses, but also maintains your guest’s concentration and energy is imperative. When planning the goal of your meeting, make sure you consider how the timings of the breaks, food and snacks will play a role. Armed with this you’ll be able to ensure the venues you’re viewing can meet all of your necessary expectations.

Fun and flexible Consider how the venue can offer flexibility in your room set-up, whether this is in terms of seating, lighting, sound or something else. From break out areas for meetings that require team activities to open spaces for an expo or showcase. Many planners tell us that they require outside space or the ability to bring the outdoors in. Consider the location of your venue, does it have the kind of outdoor space you want, whether it’s a vibrant city with inspiring architecture or a peaceful country view to blow away the cobwebs. Connecting your delegates Technology is important. While we know that excellent broadband is crucial, think beyond the basics. Many venues have access to a plethora of technological options that can help to bring your event to life; social media dashboards for real-time social sentiment tracking, voting tools for audience participation and digital whiteboards to avoid the post meet write-up are worth consideration. Finally, networking and relationship building is often a component of a successful event so ask venues what ideas they have to enable and encourage peer-to-peer collaboration.

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SECTOR GUIDE

Business travel Heading overseas or travelling around the UK is an essential part for many companies. We round up a range of business travel firms to help organise your next corporate trip

management company (TMC) that can use its expertise, inding the right flight, train or car service can be a timely technology and buying power to save them and their company task, one that not every PA has the luxury of. Sourcing a valuable time and money.” company that can help relieve some of the stress and As more companies look to drive down costs when booking manage the job can be the ideal support when it comes to travel, consultants and TMCs can offer clear advice and booking a corporate trip abroad, or when chauffeuring a large suggest ways of slashing prices. number of employees around. Similarly, Neal Poole, director of marketing at Capita Travel Trainline for Business found that 34 per cent of SME business and Events, believes assistants should take advantage of travellers rely on their secretary (16 per cent), office manager consultants and TMCs. (ten per cent) or team assistant (eight per “TMCs are more than a “Travel management providers have cent) to book business travel for them. traditional booking service, evolved to become much more than There is a clear demand for assistants companies that book travel and plan to organise trips of all sizes, by speaking they’re an experienced venues, and they offer a perfect solution to a travel consultant, using a travel support extension to your when your time is precious,” he adds. management company or chauffeur organisation – the PA’s PA.” “Prices are negotiated for you and your service, PAs can ensure their business Neal Poole, Capita VIP’s travel is booked at a logical price for outing will be looked after. their trip. But they (and you) can also “Booking travel can be complex, fiddly, benefit from instant access to travel itineraries, 24/7 online and time consuming and – when you don’t have the right telephone support, alerts about delays or cancellations. information – expensive, too,” Scott Alboni, marketing director “TMCs are more than a traditional booking service, they’re EMEA at Corporate Travel Management, tells PA Life. “PAs and EAs, who are often tasked with managing corporate an experienced support extension to your organisation – the PA’s PA.” travel, can benefit hugely from working with a travel

<<< CAPITA TRAVEL AND EVENTS Keep your travellers happy, your event delegates buzzing and your finance department smiling. Capita Travel and Events will help you to do it all effortlessly. Whatever the size of your organisation, the firm has a solution that will help any business drive down the cost of travel, meetings and events, without a loss of service quality to your people. Do you want to be the person who helps to make your organisation look great? Get in touch to have a chat about how Capita can help you get the results that all of the people in your organisation can benefit from in a travel, meetings and events provider. 0330 390 0340 22

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Are you a PA or EA stuck for time, organising travel for your boss or clients? Are you a looking for 4-5* luxury with a concierge service? Are you fed up with dealing with big corporate companies? Rachel at R.G Travel would love to help, and will work with you on a 1-1 basis, delivering exceptional itineraries to suit your needs. Whether you are looking for business flights or a tailor made trip around the world, we can put together the best luxury package holiday or business travel, so look no further and get in contact with Rachel today, a quote costs NOTHING! Telephone 020 8150 6545 Website: www.rgtravel.info Email: rachel@rgtravel.info

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Not Just Travel (Agency) as registered with ABTA and the CAA is an Accredited Body Member of Hays Travel Limited, ATOL 5534. Members of ABTA - K9413

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Delivering an unrivalled personal service, saving you time, money and stress.

We endeavor to make each trip you embark upon as comfortable, time efficient and cost effective as possible. Behind the scenes, we monitor the ‘little things’; such as preferred seating, airport transfers, meeting rooms, dinner reservations, and client entertaining requirements, so you don’t have to.

Call Paul King, Director of Sales on: +44

(0)208 948 8188

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SECTOR GUIDE

>>>

>>> 8 WATERLOO STREET The iconic art deco building in Birmingham City Centre is located near Cathedral Square in the heart of Colmore Business District and boasts easy access to transport, shopping and major attractions. A perfect place to stay for business or leisure, each of its 31 serviced apartments has a mix of modern and traditional styles and are surrounded by all the amenities of a city centre location. These apartments are balanced to create the right environment for guests to relax in and will make their stay as comfortable as possible. With a choice of one or two bedrooms, each apartment has been designed with a classic, contemporary twist. Just a minutes’ walk away from New Street and Snowhill Stations, 8 Waterloo Street is pleased to welcome guests to this hidden gem. Ref: PALife1 to receive a ten per cent discount on a first night’s stay, valid from Monday to Thursday on corporate bookings throughout February to March 2018. 0121 389 0784

STAYCITY Dublin-based Staycity Aparthotels, popular with both business and leisure guests, is to open a further six properties across Europe in 2019/20 including a large development adjacent to Euro Disney in the Val d’Europe area of Paris. In addition, the company will open in Venice at the former Checkpoint Charlie in Central Berlin and on Dublin’s Chancery Lane and Mark Street, as well as adding a third Manchester property to its portfolio. Later this year Staycity opens in Liverpool’s Corn Exchange in the city’s commercial region, as well as on London’s Strand with its premium concept, Wilde Aparthotels. This takes Staycity to over 3,000 apartments across ten European cities including London, Dublin, Edinburgh and Paris. 0203 499 0748

<<< CORPORATE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT Corporate Travel Management (CTM) is a travel management company like no other. The firm manages everything from air, hotels, rail and car hire to full service events for every type of business. As well as boasting a vast global reach, its local service mentality means the company can always deliver on a boutique experience. Meanwhile, the highly knowledgeable team strives to deliver the best in all it can do. The firm is committed to making sure that it not only drives creative solutions to your business travel needs, but also weaves itself into the fabric of your business so that it can truly understand its needs, making CTM an extension of a company’s own team. 0207 429 9677 25

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SPONSORED CONTENT: CAPITA TRAVEL AND EVENTS

CONTACT DETAILS Meridian Court, 18 Stanier Way, Wyvern Business Park, Derby, DE21 6BF T: +44 (0) 330 390 0340 E: travelevents@capita.co.uk www.capitatravelevents.co.uk

7 jobs a travel management company can do for you A good travel management company (TMC) employs a wide range of skillsets to make sure you have the edge when it comes to safety, wellbeing and cost 1. Guardian angel Fulfilling their duty of care towards travellers is a top priority in boardrooms. TMCs can centralise data and global alerts to keep communication flowing and traveller and meetings tracking tools can make sure employers know where people are at key points of their journey and make new travel arrangements. 2. Industry expert With many day-to-day bookings now largely automated, TMCs can concentrate on giving expert advice. According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), implementing a managed travel programme can help companies reduce total travel costs by at least 45 per cent. 3. Technology geek Technology is a big differentiator between TMCs. At a minimum, it should be able to provide an intuitive self-

booking tool, traveller-tracking tools, and present your data - tailored to your needs. 4. Number cruncher To understand your true journey costs, data needs to be collected from disparate places and brought together. Mining data to spot trends (predictive analytics), means that experts such as Capita can help companies consolidate information for valuable insights, such as forecasting future traveller behaviour or budget overspill. 5. Meetings specialist Ever wished you could combine overnight travel and meetings? Specialists have the latest meetings management software to help you optimise empty internal space and its use, reducing the need for external venues. And they can capture management information to discover the

total cost of a meeting. 6. 24/7 support Your TMC should be available 27/7, so if your traveller is stuck at an airport after a cancellation – or can’t find the hotel – help is at hand. Flights can be re-booked and your traveller can be on their way with minimal fuss. 7. All the rest The remit of TMCs is now vast as companies evolve from bookers to full-service providers, and more. Contracting out responsibility for your travel will look after your VIPs, expedite visas, ensure that your organisation’s spend is managed effectively, keep costs low, encourage compliance to policy and ensure maximum productivity on the move – all while maintaining your duty-of-care obligations to travellers. Surely you can’t get fairer than that?

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SECTOR GUIDE

<<< NOT JUST TRAVEL Everybody knows how stressful things can get when the New Year rolls in. So, when it comes to booking your next holiday, business or group trip, why not give yourself a helping hand and get in touch with the experts. Rachel Garnish, personal travel consultant for Not Just Travel, works with over 450 different suppliers to ensure you are getting the best deals on a range of exciting trips. With years of travel experience from around the globe, using a personal travel consultant means you are getting the best advice and knowledge of your desired destination, as well as having access to private rates you won’t see online. 01328 854 466

>>>

RED-NAXELA SERVICED APARTMENTS >>> Have you noticed how serviced apartments have been growing in popularity among travellers as an alternative accommodation option to a hotel room? Staying at a serviced apartment for business represents huge savings for corporate travellers, as they provide room space and independence at a cheaper cost than a traditional hotel room. For example, a two-bed apartment could accommodate two professionals at a nightly rate for the whole ‘apartment’ as opposed to a ‘per person’ rate. Can you imagine achieving these cost savings for your boss by providing him with this cheaper and alternative option? Red-Naxela Serviced Accommodation Ltd operates several professional apartments in Canary Wharf, Oxford, Edinburgh and is upscaling to other UK cities. 07515 691 694

BLUE CUBE TRAVEL A PA’s life is busy enough without having to trowel through multiple websites to find the best travel solution. Using the internet to source these requirements can be costly and time consuming for a PA. A single call or email to Blue Cube Travel can save several hours per day as its experts will give the best flight, hotel, transfer and Visa advice based on your requirement while saving your company money. “TMCs provide expert advice on all aspects of business travel including security and it’s all in one place. You could say business travel agents are the PA’s ‘travel PA’ so why wouldn’t you use one?” explains Paul King, director of sales at Blue Cube Travel. 07810 438 425

LIMO PLUS >>> Limo Plus, has launched a new booking system, helping PAs to make faster reservations. With expectations to maintain a 99 per cent success rating throughout 2018, the luxury chauffeur service takes responsibility for every journey before it starts and after it ends. Bookings can be made by email, app or phone on a 24/7 basis, and dedicated reservations controllers ensure Limo Plus goes the extra mile each and every time. Jo-Ann Ramos, operations director at Limo Plus, says: “In our industry, reputation and standards are key. We value our customers’ time, working closely with PAs to provide a reliable and transparent service.” 0207 748 8888

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Business Travel made simple. Welcome to the next generation of travel management. Booking travel within your business can be time consuming, complex and costly, but why have the added pressure?

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The CTM group - now including Redfern Travel - is a travel management company like no other. Our global reach means we can deliver the cheapest rates - guaranteed. With a vast global footprint but a local service mentality means we always deliver on a boutique experience that fits your needs. We provide services across, air, hotel, rail, car hire, events and travel technology with highly knowledgeable experts that weave themselves into the fabric of your business so that we can truly understand your requirements, making us an extension of your own teams.

Come and see CTM & Redfern at the Business Travel Show 2018! 21 & 22 February, Olympia London A chance to see the latest in travel technology, meet the team and enjoy a cocktail or two at our bar. Visit our website for information on attending for free today.

www.travelctm.co.uk

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SECTOR GUIDE

Training Whether you are new to the industry or just looking to gain a new skill, the importance of training should not be overlooked. We highlight some of the latest options available on the market for assistants to make the most of

development for the ‘assistant’ role – whether it’s PAs, EAs, VAs, s the expectations for PAs, EAs and other administrative office assistants, management assistants or any other similar staff constantly changes within the workplace, the need position,” says Andrew Jardine, general manager at the Institute for training is now more prevalent than ever before. of Administrative Management. Whether you are new to the industry and keen to learn a new “Whether in person at events or through emails and calls, skill or are seeking to build on your current education, new members tell us they are passionate qualifications can help to propel any “Whether in person at events about learning new skills and developing candidate further in their career. A study of 750 senior business or through emails and calls, their existing ones.” With a variety of academies and professionals by Arch Apprentices members tell us they are consultants available for assistants to provided an insight into employee passionate about learning choose from, it has never been easier to retention – uncovering how to have a gain an accreditation in a new field, and is happy and productive workforce. Enabling new skills and developing their existing ones.” something that is starting to build traction employees to learn new skills was top of in many businesses. the list at 73 per cent. It seems employers Jardine adds: “Our focus is on providing industry-specific are aware of the benefits training can offer too, with around a qualifications, endorsing training courses and holding CPD third of UK businesses spending between £1,000 and £5,000 events featuring speakers. I believe the desire to raise standards each year on training their employees. by those within the profession has never been greater and “I think it is clear from the seminars, conference and training those at the forefront of this are making themselves events that I have attended that the pressure is building for indispensable to their executive, colleagues and employer.” more opportunities in terms of professional and career

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>>>

PITMAN TRAINING Pitman Training helps PAs transform their careers through self-paced vocational training. Leading the way for growth in development and efficiency since Sir Isaac Pitman’s invention of shorthand in 1837, businesses throughout the UK recognise the Pitman Training name as a sign you have been trained to the very highest level. On successful completion of its courses and diplomas, candidates will have world class skills to be a highly valued and well paid personal or executive assistant. Specialists in office, IT, administration, finance and business skills alongside blogging, event management and social media training – Pitman Training supports skill development needed in our ever-changing world. With an unparalleled completion rate of 98 per cent, students report an impressive 80 per cent positive job outcome within six months of training. 01937 865 754

>>>

SECTOR GUIDE

YOUR EXCELLENCY Founded in 2007 by Malcolm and Lindsay Taylor, Your Excellency Limited is a global provider of leading personal and organisational development training and coaching, including accredited PA qualifications. Its team of qualified associate trainers have first-hand experience of their subject matters having worked in their respective fields of expertise. Plus, the company supports and facilitates your learning through a shared process of discussion, practice and feedback. Your Excellency makes learning fun, memorable and instantly useable and believes that the best way to learn is to do it. 07930 194 147

ADAM FIDLER ACADEMY Adam Fidler Academy offers high-quality education and training to EAs and PAs. Founded by Adam Fidler, a sought-after trainer of executive assistants, the academy offers a number of inspirational, tutor-led accredited and endorsed programmes in Manchester and in London, including its best-selling Get ahead as an executive PA and The strategic EA courses. For those who want to study an accredited qualification for EAs and PAs, the company suggests its level three and level four executive assistant pathways, as well as its brand new Executive Assistant Diploma. 0161 237 3362

INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT The Institute of Administrative Management (IAM) is one of the oldest professional bodies for administrative professionals. It offers CPD events and webinars throughout the year delivering a range of topics from renowned speakers. It also works closely with trainers, centres and colleges who deliver IAM training and nationally recognised IAM qualifications, designed specifically for administrative staff. Discounted training opportunities are also available for its members, through events, classroom and online training platforms so that PAs, EAs and office administrators can keep up with the diverse skillsets today’s marketplace demands. The IAM covers everything from event management and emotional resilience to managing projects. 01952 797 396

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Have you noticed how Serviced apartments have been gaining in popularity amongst business professionals as an alternative option to a hotel room? A serviced apartment represents huge savings for corporate travellers, as they provide independence and space at a cheaper cost than a traditional hotel room and they are costed ‘per apartment’ not ‘per person’. Can you imagine achieving these cost savings for your boss? Red-naxela Serviced Accommodation Ltd operates Lantern Way Apartments in Canary Wharf. We also have apartments in Edinburgh and houses in Oxford and in 2018 we are upscaling to other UK cities. We can also provide serviced apartments across the UK through our network of preferred partners.

You can book directly from our website www.red-naxelaservicedaccommodation.co.uk For more info please contact Jan Alexander on: jan@red-naxelaservicedaccommodation.co.uk or phone 07515 691694

x ACE Travel Management is an independent, award winning business travel agency - proud to be providing a professional and personal service to our clients for over 25 years. Our clients are not just numbers and our experienced team are far more than travel arrangers, we manage our clients travel profile – offering creative solutions that adhere to corporate policies and authorisation processes, whilst continually x reviewing client travel expenditure to recommend additional opportunities for savings. A personal service is provided – with nominated consultants and account managers, utilising the latest innovative travel technology to support our service. In addition to the above, ACE Travel Management support clients duty of care obligations through Travel Safety Training and proposing tailored security risk management solutions to clients.

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Contact ACE Travel Management for a free Travel Policy Health check and to allow us to demonstrate our expertise. Contact: Sarah Wilson – Director Email: sarah.wilson@acetravel.co.uk Tel: 0845 241 3406 Website: www.acetravel.co.uk

22/01/2018 13:10

RECRUITMENT TRENDS

How is recruitment changing? 2018 looks set to introduce a number of new trends to the recruitment industry, from the influx of new technology to the impending exit of the European Union. Jade Burke speaks to Tate’s David Clubb and Adam Weir to gauge their thoughts on the market

changes which have come from various places,” David Clubb, s social media, technology and work benefits continue MD of recruitment agency Tate, tells PA Life. to change, the recruitment sector will no doubt witness some new themes crop up this year as agencies, “We are also seeing a change in the way recruitment is being employers and employees compete to offer the best new skills procured. As with the retail industry and now many other and experience. sectors notably estate agents, our market The Office of National Statistics is being entered by online competition, “Before clients would be estimates from the Labour Force Survey which divides an already highly looking for a PA to support that the employment rate (the proportion fragmented market further.” with diary and travel of people aged from 16 to 64 who were Adam Weir, director at Tate, comments: arrangements, now they are “Traditional support roles are changing by in work), reached 75.1 per cent from August to October 2017, lower than for the day, where before clients would be looking for even more.” May to July 2017 which hit 75.3 per cent. looking for a PA to support with diary and Adam Weir, Tate There were also 1.43 million unemployed travel arrangements, now they are looking people (those not in work but seeking for even more from candidates. For and available to work), 26,000 fewer than for May to July 2017. example, PAs with project management skills or PAs with social These slight changes will certainly have an impact on the media experience.” recruitment market, with agencies already starting to notice With all these evidential changes, we highlight the top five new trends taking shape. “We have witnessed a number of trends set to make an impact on the sector throughout 2018.

1. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) With the introduction of new technology from virtual and augmented reality to new social media platforms and drones, it’s no wonder that we are starting to see artificial intelligence (AI) now make its way into recruitment. Chat bots are now being used on many websites, designed to interact with candidates and offer them advice, while an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is now being used to scan through CVs. While this may seem like a big change for many jobseekers, a study of 2,000 Brits carried out by job search engine Indeed, found that a third of respondents would be

happy to take career advice from a robot and think it would increase their chances of finding a job. “We are seeing intelligent chat bots now enter websites and conversing with hundreds of candidates at the same time, scheduling appointments and also shortlisting them automatically and instantly,” says Clubb. “This is a massive opportunity to add great value and take away the repetitive tasks and difficulty in searching for applicants. I see this growing rapidly and hopefully giving more of a true customer service rather than recruiters being swamped by too many candidates to deal with.”

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stay your way Looking for a better way to stay? Centrally located apartments, 24 hour reception, private kitchen and living spaces, free wi-fi and super friendly staff with the local lowdown. This is your stay, your way. Book your stay at staycity.com

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RECRUITMENT TRENDS

2. VIDEO The trend towards video continues to grow as more employers and candidates look to reduce the amount of time spent travelling to prospective jobs and carrying out interviews, for example Tate has seen a 200 per cent rise in video interviewing in the past six months. Clubb adds: “We are finding that clients and candidates are really engaging with video and see it as a great added value. “I am sure it will also be a mix of pre-record and live face-to-face. I think people will soon realise that it is a waste

of everyone’s time to be travelling around, when you can do multiple interviews in a shorter space of time to screen and then shortlist for the face-to-face.” Of course, taking part in a video interview can be an unnerving prospect, but is something that more agencies can tap into by offering crucial training and advice. “We know this method of interviewing is daunting to some candidates, so Tate is putting together training/support to those who feel they need help,” states Weir.

3. FLEXIBLE WORKING enable staff to do the work and it will not be big offices Offering flexible hours comes in all sorts of forms. This may working from 9am to 5pm.” be working part time, working from home, sharing a job role This is certainly becoming more evident within the PA with another or working less hours during the day, and it is industry, as the rise of virtual assistants something that is picking up traction continues to increase with employees with more employees and candidates. It “Businesses have to adapt to seeking more convenient working is estimated that by 2020 50 per cent of the fact they will only attract hours to suit their needs. Weir adds: “In the working population will be flexible, the talent when they reflect the PA world, VAs are becoming more which is something companies must what the talent wants.” in demand where the client doesn’t take on board to ensure they are David Clubb, Tate need an assistant in the office for employing highly skilled people. traditional duties, but wants a flexible “The younger generations want more option to pull upon a resource when flexibility and companies want it too,” they’re busy or when an unexpected project arises. Virtual enthuses Clubb. “Businesses have to adapt to the fact they PAs are upskilling themselves in other duties away from the will only attract the talent when they reflect what the talent traditional tasks once again.” wants. Companies need to offer the range of options to

4. SOCIAL CONSCIENCE The impact of recycling and climate change continues to be a concerning issue, with the younger generation in particular starting to understand the longevity and seriousness of these factors. This has since started to affect many companies, with candidates looking to work with a business that exhibits social conscience. “We need to be more aware of what our actions have on the planet we live on and how we waste resources in the

pursuit of profit,” reveals Clubb. “I think people will want to work for companies that make a stand or demonstrate a social conscience. “If companies believe that consumers want change and societal attitudes are changing then they will adapt to this. Everyone will be able to see this in their work life and I am sure over the last five to ten years, about the impact of climate change and renewable energy and recycling.”

5. BREXIT March 29, 2019 marks the date the UK will officially leave the European Union, which has already had a huge impact on the recruitment industry as more businesses remain uncertain about their future. For example, in 2016, The Recruitment and Employment Confederation published a survey that found due to growing uncertainty, the number of people placed in permanent roles fell at their sharpest rate in over seven years. Despite this, Weir believes the sector has remained buoyant. “We are still not seeing any uncertainty from clients regarding Brexit, especially those who don’t have a presence in Europe,” he adds. “For our clients and us it’s business as usual. I’m not saying this won’t change as we get nearer to departing the EU, but currently permanent vacancies are high and the need for temps are increasing week on week in London.”

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The South’s Primary Conference & Meeting Venue

Conferences and Meetings

Conferences and meetings for up to 2000 people Competitive day delegate rates

Bromley Court Hotel hosts flexible meetings rooms offering facilities for between 2-150 delegates in a unique setting. We can host private dining to corporate events, incentive groups, exhibitions and product launches, training sessions and team building events in our fantastic 2 acres of landscaped gardens.

Central location Complimentary Wi-Fi Quality Catering

Book your show round today: 023 9387 0182

For more information please call our Meeting & Events Co-Ordinator on 020 8461 8608

portsmouthguildhall.org.uk

www.bromleycourthotel.co.uk

Waterloo Street Serviced Apartments are housed within a stylish Grade II listed building, in the heart of Birmingham’s City Centre. This Iconic Art Deco property has been refurbished to a very high standard throughout. Nestled within the Business Quarter, close to all transport links, shopping, major attractions and surrounded by some of the finest bars and restaurants the city has to offer. Having recently opened it’s doors to guests, this hidden gem provides a taste of luxury for both the leisure and business traveller. To find out more please visit our website link below. To find out more please contact us on: 0121 389 0784 or email bookings@8waterloostreet.co.uk

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HOTEL REVIEW

Checking in: Hotel Felix Boasting a traditional Victorian design, the Hotel Felix offers guests the opportunity to travel to a quieter part of the country. Toby Cruse spends the night in the city to experience the retreat

GOOD FOR… Private dining Summer parties Golf breaks

45-minute train journey from Kings Cross will find you in the centre of Cambridge, a city that despite its world renown remains relatively untouched by businesses; a perfect opportunity to set yourself apart from the crowd in style. A short drive from the station (or about a half hour walk if you’re feeling energetic), you’ll find yourself at the drive of the Hotel Felix, a four-star boutique hotel that offers a modern country home feel just outside of the city centre. The hotel itself is just removed enough from civilisation to offer security and isolation, giving guests the illusion of a country retreat despite sitting just over a mile from the middle of Cambridge, and the biggest benefit of this is space. Each room offers a similar standard of luxury with varying degrees of space for guests, but opting for a smaller room won’t make you feel like you’re missing out on the experience, all for a price you aren’t going to get in London. Modernised over a traditional Victorian design, the Hotel Felix has a different character to the grandiose façades of Central Cambridge, but that doesn’t mean it feels out of place as much as it stands independent of the world

surrounding it. Offering meeting rooms, it’s completely possible to bypass Cambridge entirely and host conferences and parties for more than 100 people seated or standing, and up to 60 for dining without ever having to enter the city. There are four rooms for guests to choose from, including the Atlas,

“Modernised over a traditional Victorian design, the Hotel Felix has a different character to the grandiose façades of Central Cambridge.” Calypso, Phoebe and Hyperion that can offer meetings and dinners, plus the Atlas and Calypso can join to create one large room to cater for up to 80 people for a drinks engagement. Meanwhile, those looking to head outdoors can make the most of the Girton Golf Club, which is located a few minutes’ drive from the hotel. Guests can also receive a 20 per cent discount off green fees thanks to Felix’s partnership with the club.

CONTACT 01223 277 977 hotelfelix.co.uk

Sitting down for dinner in the evening at Graffiti, the hotel’s two AA rosettewinning restaurant, is welcoming, warm and intimate with a soft cracking log fire at its centre. The food prices aren’t too different to what you’d expect in a London hotel, but what was surprising was the generosity on display. Portion sizes on everything from delicate vegetarian starters to rich meaty mains were big enough to not feel like you’ve missed out by skipping a course. The hotel is built to thrive in the summer months, opening up the garden terrace and offering those staying in the penthouse suite the chance to watch the sun set from the balcony. The spacious atmosphere lends itself perfectly to the warmer seasons, which is ideal for those looking to host an event in Cambridge. Everyone is clambering for a unique meeting space in Central London, with Cambridge ending up deserted by comparison. Despite its fame as one of the education capitals of the world, the students aren’t there during the peak seasons and the option to take attendees out of London and onto Cambridge’s cobbles could give organisers a unique edge on their competition. It’s certainly worth a punt, anyway.

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BENEFITS REWARDS DISCOUNTS JOIN THE PA LIFE CLUB TODAY!

• A full subscription to PA Life magazine • Entry into exclusive Club competitions • Partner offers and discounts • Huge discounts on a wide range of online learning courses • Priority invites to networking events

PA Life DPS.indd 1

• Access to a private PA Life Club LinkedIn group where you can share ideas and challenges • Invitations to FAM trips • Access to exclusive content on the PA Life Club members-only website

09/01/2018 13:29

“It’s an amazing community! I wish I’d joined sooner… The PA Life Club members are so

supportive of each other and it’s

great meeting up to talk work, problem bosses… and everything else!

The benefits of membership are brilliant too… private viewings of new restaurants and more… A

Wellbeing at Work afternoon at the

Tudor Park Hotel &

Country Club..

a reception and tour of the Kia Oval…

cocktails and canapés at Salter’s Hall…

learning the Quick Step at the

Karen Hardy Studios… and I’m off to Mercedes Benz World next month!

IT’S BEEN EPIC!”

An exclusive club for the PA and EA community

For more information please contact Freddie Jackson on 01992 666720 or f.jackson@forumevents.co.uk palife.co.uk/pa-life-club PA Life DPS.indd 2

@PALifeMag #PALifeClub 09/01/2018 13:29

CITY GUIDE

Cambridge A city of academia, elegance and class, Cambridge effortlessly blends contemporary style with a rich history

DRINK

CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY If you’re looking for a tipple or two, then head over to the Cambridge Union Society. Still home to one of the world’s oldest debating societies, the large venue offers a number of meeting and dining spaces, or you could just chill at the bar among the students. cus-eventvenue.co.uk

££ CAMBRIDGE BREW HOUSE The only brew-pub in the centre, the Cambridge Brew House is a modern twist on the heritage surrounding it, unashamedly vintage-chic. Complete with football tables and food including ‘British Tapas’, its private dining offers a separate bar and projector set-up. thecambridgebrewhouse.com

EAT BUTCH ANNIE’S Just off the famous market square is Butch Annie’s, a hand-crafted burger and rib restaurant that blends a rough-and-ready market attitude with Cambridge class. Making the most of natural ingredients, Butch Annie’s is the uncomplicated way to enjoy the city. butchannies.com

ALIMENTUM Having previously earned itself a Michelin star, Alimentum now boasts three AA Rosettes and is known for making the most of local ingredients and slow cooking techniques. Its modern and European design gives it a shine that stands out. restaurantalimentum.co.uk EXPERIENCE

ADC THEATRE The birthplace of British comedy, Cambridge Footlights alumni range from founders Monty Python to Mitchell and Webb, and you’ll catch the latest in up-and-coming comedy acts cutting their teeth at the ADC Theatre every fortnight. adctheatre.com

PUNTING You can’t really claim you’ve had the definitive Cambridge experience until you’ve been Punting. Regularly chauffeured by university students, and with larger and smaller boats on offer, you can traverse the River Cam in a number of ways. visitcambridge.org/things-to-do STAY

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Sleep in the heart of Cambridge within the most iconic part of the city, at the University of Cambridge itself. Availability can be a problem, but outside of term times the university colleges let you stay among the history of the country’s best and brightest. universityrooms.com

THE VARSITY HOTEL With a hotel and spa in the centre, The Varsity Hotel invites its guests to watch the world go by from its luxury rooftop terrace. Boasting private dining and meeting opportunities, it’s a perfect fit for visitors looking to experience the city’s high life. thevarsityhotel.co.uk

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16/01/2018 16:24

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Tried & tasted: El Pirata Nestled down a quiet street between Piccadilly and Park Lane is the authentic Spanish restaurant, El Pirata. Jade Burke sits down and tastes its variety of traditional tapas dishes GOOD FOR… Sharing with colleagues Intimate dinners Sangria lovers Contact: 020 7491 3810

WHAT WE ATE: Grilled king prawns in a sauce of tomato, garlic & white wine £10.25 Deep fried fresh squid £7.95 Spanish rice with chicken £5.15 Pan fried chicken on the bone, white wine, garlic & olive oil £5.70 Marinated chicken skewers with chorizo £7.95 Roasted potatoes in onion, garlic & parsley £4.25 Deep-fried potatoes in chilli & garlic sauce £4.05 Homemade chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream £5.50

ucked away down a side street in Mayfair sits El Pirata, a Spanish restaurant that has long been serving customers for almost a quarter of a century. Despite its exclusive postcode, inside the informal atmosphere instantly makes me feel at ease as I watch diners delight in the variety of their tapas dishes. A bar plays host to a varied selection of Spanish wines, including Sangria, while the two floors invite guests to sit down, relax and unwind. A curved staircase takes us to the ground floor where tables for two, four and even 12 have been prepared – this restaurant can cater for all sorts of party sizes. Peering through the menu, we are spoilt for choice. 54 dishes in total are available to order, including small salads, tapas, light bites and paella. After much deliberation, my guest and I choose a starter of king prawns and deep fried squid, while for our main course we opt for some Spanish rice, pan fried chicken, chicken and chorizo skewers, roasted potatoes and deep-fried potatoes. We are assured that the skewers are a particular favourite by our waiter.

Looking around the restaurant, it feels as if we have been transported to Spain, thanks to the traditional background music, dark wooden features and stone floor. We could almost be down a cobbled street in the centre of Barcelona on a summer’s evening. Our first course goes down a treat – the prawns are delicious. My expectations for the second course are

“Inside a bar plays host to a varied selection of Spanish wines, including Sangria, while the two floors invite guests to sit down, relax and unwind.” really high, and of course it doesn’t disappoint. The roasted potatoes are delicately flavoured with a hint of garlic and is one of my favourite dishes, while my guest devours the pan-fried chicken. I was a little worried that the small plates would not be filling, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. By the end of the course I couldn’t eat another morsel.

Between each course we are also given clean plates and cutlery, the staff at El Pirata really ensure your every need is met. As other diners delve into their meals, I notice two cubbyhole rooms towards the back of the main seating area. Tables have been placed here for parties looking for a space that is a little more private from the hustle and bustle of the main restaurant. It’s perfect for groups of around six who may be looking to discuss confidential business matters with colleagues. Our waiter then suggests we try a sweet course, as who doesn’t like chocolate? After a little persuasion we agree to share the homemade chocolate cake. It is presented to us with vanilla ice cream and strawberries on a slate plate, a fitting rustic touch. After polishing that off we were suitably full. So, if you are seeking some traditional Spanish food and a relaxed setting ideal for a lunch or afterwork dinner, look no further than London’s El Pirata for your next pit stop. I’m booking a flight to Spain as I write this.

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19/01/2018 16:21

Are you

earning enough?

Despite many PAs enjoying a modest increase to their salary in 2017, employees are still unhappy with their monthly income. Hays outlines its recent 2018 UK Salary and Recruitment guide and what PA professionals are looking for from their employers

s employees start the year afresh, the hope of a wage increase becomes ever more prominent in the New Year. With wages for PA and secretarial roles rising by a modest 0.7 per cent during 2017, it seems the industry is off to a promising start. According to the Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends 2018 guide, nearly half of PAs and secretarial professionals say that their pay has increased over the past 12 months, while 52 per cent expect an increase in pay for the year ahead. Despite this employees are feeling dissatisfied with their earnings, as Hays’ findings show that 58 per cent of PA and secretarial staff are unhappy with their salaries, making it the main reason why

49%

of PAs say their pay has increased over the last 12 months some are planning to leave their job over the next year. It seems that regionally, London saw the highest average pay increase in 2017, at 2.2 per cent, followed by South West England at 2.1 per cent and North West at 1.3 per cent. Even with these steady pay increases, two-thirds of employers are planning on increasing salaries throughout 2018. “Despite the ongoing political and economic uncertainty, 62 per cent of all

office support employers anticipate activity levels will increase in 2018, which is marginally above the overall UK average (59 per cent),” Roddy Adair, director of Hays office support and PA secretarial, tells PA Life. “As a result of this anticipated increase in business activity levels, 68 per cent are planning to recruit.” Balance is key While salaries have proven to be a main priority, work-life balance has been named the most important factor to employees when looking for a new job, ranking it at 28 per cent. This was closely followed by job security and location at 19 and 14 per cent, respectively.

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SALARY SURVEY

PA (Board level) Region Range Typical 2017 2017 East of England £25,000 - £40,000 £35,000 London £40,000 - £55,000 £46,000 Midlands £25,000 - £38,000 £35,000 North East England £25,000 - £32,000 £30,000 North West England £25,000 - £38,000 £35,000 Northern Ireland £25,000 - £32,000 £30,000 Scotland £28,000 - £38,000 £35,000 South East England £30,000 - £45,000 £37,000 South West England £25,000 - £40,000 £32,000 Wales £25,000 - £32,000 £28,000 Yorkshire and the Humber £25,000 - £38,000 £35,000 National Avg. £34,364 2016-2017 change 0.3%

EA (C-Suite level) Region Range Typical 2017 2017 East of England £30,000 - £40,000 £38,000 London £40,000 - £70,000 £55,000 Midlands £30,000 - £40,000 £38,000 North East England £30,000 - £38,000 £35,000 North West England £30,000 - £40,000 £38,000 Northern Ireland £29,000 - £33,000 £31,000 Scotland £30,000 - £40,000 £37,000 South East England £35,000 - £45,000 £40,000 South West England £30,000 - £40,000 £35,000 Wales £30,000 - £38,000 £33,000 Yorkshire and the Humber £32,000 - £40,000 £36,000 National Avg. £37,818

Currently, over two-thirds of PA professionals rate their work-life balance as very good, compared to 56 per cent as a UK average. Meanwhile, flexible working options are continuing to rise, with part-time hours and flexitime a favourite for many employees. According to Hays, over a third say they would change their flexible working options in order to improve their work-life balance, with 18 per cent also wanting to change their working hours. Climbing the career ladder Career progression is a crucial factor to ensure employees remain productive and engaged within the workplace. Without professional growth many workers can become dissatisfied and ultimately bored by their role – leading to resignations. It’s no surprise then that along with salary and benefit packages, 27 per cent of professionals say the main reason for wanting to leave their role is due to a lack of future opportunities. “Acute skills shortages continue to put pressure on workforces. While this is not good news for employers, it means that talented candidates can set themselves apart to businesses eager to recruit the best and brightest,” continues Adair.

“Skills shortages are so acute in the world of office support that 21 per cent of employers do not feel they have the talent needed to complete current business objectives, and 57 per cent think they will face a shortage of suitable candidates when recruiting staff over the next 12 months.” Additionally, 40 per cent feel there is scope for career progression within their current role, demonstrating how much employers need to work harder to

58%

of PAs are unhappy with their salaries implement clear career paths and training opportunities. Adair enthuses: “In such a skills short environment, organisations need to consider how they can attract talent in order to remain competitive. They will need to look at other ways aside from salaries to attract the skills needed, increasing opportunities for career and personal development, which employees tell us they are looking for in new roles. “Employers can review their benefits offerings, as our results show a mismatch

between what employees are looking for and what employers are providing.” Looking ahead For 2018, PA and secretarial employers will be on the look out for candidates with a specialist skill set. Hays’ 2018 findings suggest that businesses will be on the look out for workers who boast both relationship and management skills. A specialist focus is also key to finding the ideal employee. PAs and secretaries who have specific industry experience will continue to be in demand, as well as those who have specific function experience such as HR, reports Hays. Those who set themselves apart from the competition by demonstrating an understanding of the responsibilities and challenges of different teams, as well as being involved in all sorts of aspects of the business from budgeting to planning, will stand out from the crowd. Lastly, employees who showcase the ability to be flexible and proactive to tasks will be recognised by a business. “Organisations are looking for someone who is willing to go above and beyond the job specification – ideally who can proactively solve problems and identify new solutions,” concludes Hays.

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19/01/2018 16:20

@servaptnews #SAAwards #MixWithTheBest 19TH MARCH, 2018 GRANGE TOWER BRIDGE HOTEL

THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE AWARDS FOR THE GLOBAL SERVICED APARTMENT INDUSTRY ARE BACK!

Don’t miss your chance to #MixWithTheBest at what promises to be the industry celebration of 2018! Individual tickets as well as tables are now available. Join a collective of 450+ industry leaders including operators, owners, travel buyers, investors, agents, press, service providers and of course the winners at London’s five-star Grange Tower Bridge Hotel.

Event sponsored by GOLD SPONSOR

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16/01/2018 16:25

THE KING’S CENTRE

Spotlight on: The King’s Centre Boasting 30,000 sq ft of space, The King’s Centre in Oxford can cater to every need from conferences and trade shows to dinners. Jade Burke chats to general manager Michelle Fernandez to discuss why PAs should have the venue on their speed dial

How has business been for the venue over the past 12 months? It’s been a big year, we have strengthened the team internally, we now provide in-house catering for our clients and we have won some exciting business. We’ve hosted some major events like Venturefest and The Oxfordshire Business Awards, as well as becoming the main exam hub for prestigious universities and colleges. What kinds of events can you cater for? We regularly host large-scale events and they really do vary, from sit down meals and theatre style conferences to trade and film sets. Plus, our two largest rooms can accommodate 1,000 people. What event space can you offer? The King’s Centre has more than 30,000 sq ft of space available and we pride ourselves on working with clients to make the space work for each of their events. Our venue is a blank canvas – the rooms can be dressed to host most types of functions. Clients can hire the entire venue, or one of our ten rooms, which have AV equipment, tables and chairs and an in-house technician and chef.

What are the advantages of organising a meeting or an event with you? Firstly, our event co-ordinator would work closely with you, plus we are also very happy to help promote our client’s public events via our social media channels and contacts. Additionally, we have rooms of varying size, meaning there is always a solution at hand to fit your requirements.

“Often PAs have to book meeting rooms last minute and that’s why it’s worth having us on speed dial – we’ve got multiple rooms and are always flexible.” Our location is a big plus. We are just a ten-minute walk from Oxford station and being in the South Midlands, we are well located for events where the guests are travelling from various areas. Do you have any tips for PAs looking to host a private event? For private meetings, discretion, facilities and location are important. Our staff are highly trained in client service and have a high attention to detail.

For a ticket-only event, we advise clients to hire door staff to manage the guests’ arrival. For events with an expected high number, transport is also an important factor to consider. Often PAs have to book meeting rooms at the last minute and that’s why it’s worth having us on speed dial – we’ve got multiple rooms and are always as flexible as we can be. The building is owned by a church. Why is it important to continue working with the church and its charitable events? The building is owned by Oxfordshire Community Churches, and all of the profits from the centre go into the upkeep of the building and supporting charitable work in the county. I think it’s lovely that by booking events at The King’s Centre, businesses are helping support the community. What’s next for you guys? Our medium-term plan is to continue to expand and work towards maximum occupancy for the centre. This involves being very strategic and focused on how we generate new business. We love working with people and helping host events of all shapes and sizes.

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19/01/2018 16:19

OUT OF OFFICE

Heading to

Confex 2018? As the annual show approaches, Confex’s event organisers reveal what guests can expect from 2018’s event Tomorrow’s world of events today is the bold claim for this year’s Confex, and it’s one which is certainly borne out by the ambitious content programme across all six theatres. This year sees the collaboration with Musion, the holographic experts, to deliver the keynote content and via its ground-breaking technology the firm will demonstrate how holograms can be incorporated across all events. Stand by to see some familiar celebrity performances as you’ve never seen them before. Incentives reign strong at this year’s Confex too, with some absolute gems of UK meeting venues and hotels including Thornton Manor, Oatlands Park Hotel, Burley Manor, The Lensbury and Barnett Hill Country House Hotel. Further afield, attendees should have a look at some of the increased range of international destinations and venues with Les Rives d’Argentiere - luxury chalets in Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Praia

d’el Rey golf and beach resort in Portugal, and for those looking to escape the British climate, it’s definitely worth having a chat with Visit Barbados. Team building and employee engagement ideas are also an expanded offering with Guinness World Records leading the charge with its Engage programme. Why not challenge Guinness to come up with a fun and innovative record breaking concept for your company? Whatever your event agenda, you’ll find new ideas aplenty at International Confex 2018 on the show floor and in the seminar theatres. While you’re dashing around though, don’t forget to come and see us at the Event Organisers Summit stand, C10C. We look forward to seeing you there. Register free of charge for International Confex 2018, which takes place at London’s Olympia from February 28 to March 1 at international-confex.com.

DATES FOR THE DIARY Networking, learning and things to keep in mind Wednesday, February 28 – Thursday, March 1 International Confex and office* Thursday, March 1 St David’s Day

Saturday, March 17 St Patrick’s Day Friday, March 30 Good Friday Sunday, April 1 Easter Sunday

Tuesday, February 6 PA Life event: Meet-up at Agent Provocateur Wednesday, February 14 Valentine’s Day Tuesday, February 20 IAM: Managing your mindset

Thursday, March 8 PA Life event: Venues of Excellence

Wednesday, February 21 - Thursday, February 22 Business Travel Show

Tuesday, March 13 PA Life event: Business Travel masterclass

Monday, April 2 Bank Holiday Monday

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22/01/2018 15:04

That’s entertainment

Tori Just, director of entertainment supplier Just Talent, shares all on her time in the business How did the business start? I started oﬀ as a dancer, but when clients requested me and I wasn’t free they would ask if I could get someone else. This started happening on a regular basis every weekend. I then decided to branch out and supply all entertainment. I ran the business alongside a full-time job in marketing and recruitment, and two years ago I decided to take the plunge and leave my job to run Just Talent full-time and the rest is history. What type of entertainers do you oﬀer? Everything – if we do not have it on our books we will source the act for you. We boast a variety of acts from circus performers, bands, DJs, photobooths,

glitter and make-up artists, hosts and hostesses, bar staﬀ and of course a wide range of dancers. Are there any particular events you like to work on? I love to work on an event where I can get really creative with the entertainers and put my spin on it. I worked on a show last year where the theme was Ibiza. I had 36 entertainers at the event and created the whole concept and running order of how the acts would work with the theme. It went down really well and the company in particular said it was the best one they had been to in the six years they had been running the event. It was a huge success.

What clients have you worked with? Linkedin, Publicis, Allegis, Clive, Camden Dining (Dstrkt, Shaka Zulu, Gilgamesh, Gabeto), Village Underground, Mediacom, Story Events, L’Anima Cafe, The Botanist, London Cocktail Club and The Aviary to name a few. Have there been any particular memorable moments over the years? I would say the most memorable moment was my launch party in Clapham in May 2015. It was a huge success and kicked oﬀ the start of my business, it was also the ﬁrst time my band Maestri performed. Winning the award for Best Supplier in Events at the Hot 50 Awards in 2017 was also an amazing achievement.

PA LIFE REVEALS DEDICATED CLUB SITE PA Life has debuted its shiny new PA Life Club website, where loyal members will be offered an array of benefits. Members will be able to search and book on to events via the site, sign up to a range of bespoke, industry specific masterclasses free of charge, take advantage of exclusive online discounts and have access to online courses courtesy of training partner New Skills Academy. Head over to palifeclub.co.uk to check it out.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB This issue we would like to welcome Helen Coward from JP Morgan, Lynn Hawkins from CITI, Elizabeth Mendes Da Silva from Barclays, Andrea Thompson from Paragon, Suzanne Tuck from Ridley

Management Services, Ila Patel from Equality & Human Rights Commission, Paula Gibson from JLT, Lyn McCarthy from HSBC and Kathy Murray from Mastercard to the club.

M CO

Don’t forget the 2018 PA Life Reader Survey is now live and we’d love to get your thoughts. Just head over to: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LXNMNBM

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OUT OF OFFICE

“IT FELT REALLY GOOD TO BE FORMALLY RECOGNISED BY THE PARTNERS THAT I WORK CLOSELY WITH, AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE EFFORT AND TIME THEY INDIVIDUALLY PUT IN WHEN WRITING THEIR NOMINATIONS FOR ME.”

Work + life Deloitte’s executive assistant of the Year (2017/18), Selina Belgrave, details her typical day in the office, and why she enjoys some healthy competition in the workplace What time does your alarm go off? My alarm goes off at 6am, followed by a few snoozes that result in me getting out of bed at 6.15am. I then do a Beachbody T25 workout for 30 minutes, after this I start preparing to get myself and my daughter Jasmine ready.

grateful for the effort and time they individually put in when writing their nominations for me. My children are my biggest personal achievement. I enjoy being a mother and work hard to create good memories and set positive examples for them.

What are you responsible for in your role? All the traditional duties of an EA; diary management, booking travel, managing day-to-day scheduled conflicts, organising events, being the gatekeeper for my partners and anticipating the partner’s needs, ensuring that I remain one step ahead of them at all times. This means managing many diaries all at the same time and anticipating what they will need before the day – the most fulfilling part of my role is that no day is the same.

What is your favourite techie kit/app? Halifax banking app. It saves me so much time and is one of the easiest apps to navigate.

How did you get your current job? I joined Deloitte in November 2011 as an EA in the GCMG (Global Capital Market Groups). Since then I have taken on a variety of projects within the group. Initially, I was involved in starting and completing our compliance procedures. These roles have now been transitioned to another team, but I still work alongside our dedicated alternative delivery centre team. I currently manage the routine of seven partners who, with the exception of the firm’s CFO, are all a part of the same group, GCMG. What has been your proudest moment so far? I was recently awarded Deloitte EA of the Year (2017/18), which has meant a great deal to me. It felt really good to be formally recognised by the partners that I work closely with, and I am

What would your alternative career be? This is a difficult one, because I love being an EA and doing the job I do, but I also think I would enjoy being a mentor/coach. What are your hobbies? The gym (not because I like it but because it works), spending quality time with my children and reading. How competitive are you (inside and outside of work)? I love a good healthy competition and I enjoy participating every now and then, however I am not a sore loser and will always wish that person/team a ‘well done’. What are your guilty pleasures? Everything food related and high heels – anyone who knows me knows I do not wear flat shoes. Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Over the last few years I have taken an interest in the work my team do, and would like to pursue a career in accountancy.

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THIS COULD BE YOUR LAST ISSUE OF PA LIFE Join the PA Life Club today and enjoy a FREE subscription to the UK’s leading resource for PAs and EAs. It’s just £79 for a full year – that’s less than a cup of coffee each fortnight! – and as a member you’ll receive: • A full subscription to PA Life magazine • Entry into exclusive Club competitions • Partner offers and discounts • Huge discounts on a wide range of online learning courses • Priority invites to networking events • Access to a private LinkedIn group where you can share ideas and challenges • Invitations to FAM trips • Access to exclusive content on the PA Life Club members-only website

To find out more contact Freddie Jackson: 01992 666720 f.jackson@forumevents.co.uk

@PALifeMag #PALifeClub

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