We are proud to announce that we are hosting the "EA/PA Excellence Workshop Live from London" full-day in-person workshop.

The workshop will be in person at the Museum of London on the 25th of April. The workshop features a panel of current and former assistants who will answer your questions on the day and, as an additional bonus, a keynote speaker to share their story and answer the questions you want answered.

We are delighted to have a host of excellent speakers, which include:
Reggie Love - former Special Assistant and Personal Aide (body man) to U.S. President Barack Obama
Sophie Chapman - Assistant to Steven Bartlett; Founder and Former Group CEO of Social Chain; author; podcaster, entrepreneur; and currently the youngest ever Dragon on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.
Victoria Wratten - CEO of Executive & Personal Assistants Association; 20+ years in the role as an assistant and now devotes her time to enhancing the profession.
Lucy James - PA to Marco Amitrano - Managing Partner and Head of Clients and Markets - PwC
Mark Edwards - Panelist - Career EA at Senior Executive level

The information below will give you an understanding of what to expect at this workshop; the below covers key information such as:

The Workshop snapshot
Aims of the Workshop
Topics
Who should attend?
Discount brackets
Panellists information
Keynote speaker information
Facilitator bio

Should you require more information, please get in touch with us at the following:

📧 support@ownyoursuccess.co.uk

☎️ 0800 949 9111

Live from London EA/PA Excellence Workshop

The workshop is an in-person event, which will commence at 09:30 and finish at 17:00 on the 25th of April 2024.

We are delighted to bring a host of current and former assistants together on a panel along with a keynote speaker on the day - information on the panel and keynote can be found below.

On the day, we will be going over key topics as a group to equip you with the tools to succeed on the day.

As this will be an in-person session, you can network and support each other as a training group to understand the challenges and map out solutions to overcome them throughout the session.

Throughout the session, you will get the opportunity to learn new skills and speak to current and former assistants during the panel session and keynote - ask the questions to make you excel!

Our aims for this workshop:

Create and develop understanding for current best working practices in the face of ever-increasing demands on time and energy.
Build confidence and motivation to support different personality types and any associated challenging behaviours.
Add tips and techniques to existing EA/PA toolkits for overseeing and achieving actions while maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

Topic 1
Working at your optimum - every day, all day

Learn how to get your day off to the best start and stick to the plan with confident decision-making - no matter what comes your way.
Find out how to address what's getting in the way of being your best self when under pressure.
Get ready to put your best foot forward - (re)discover the benefits of being proactive.

Topic 2
Working well with others - if they're like you or not

Understand what makes those you support 'tick' and identify how you can adapt to others' styles while being true to yourself.
Create and nurture your network for current and future two-way benefits - in just a matter of minutes.

Topic 3
Getting stuff done - tips and tricks to add to the toolkit

Refresh thinking on tools of the trade including minute-taking, managing actions and keeping inboxes to zero.
Explore ideas for effective multi-tasking and use science to plan for alternative ways of working.
Discover how to delegate - upwards, sideways and downwards - without negative consequences.

Panel Discussion with Q&A from the audience:

Panel discussion with the panel on the day
Current and former assistants on the panel
Sharing insights into what's worked for them in their career working at the highest level
Ask your questions on the day
Panel is delivered in-person

Keynote Address with Q&A from the audience:

Keynote speech and Q&A from Reggie Love, former Special Assistant and Personal Aide (body man) to the 44th
President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.
Opportunity for the audience to ask questions and take part in active discussion during the live Q&A with Reggie on the day of the workshop.
Keynote Delivered Virtually

Who will attend?

PA's
EA's
Administrative roles

This workshop is open to females and males, including trans women/males and non-binary professionals.

Group Rate Discounts

Group discounts are requested - please call 0800 949 9111 or email support@ownyoursuccess.co.uk to discuss and confirm any group bookings.

Group Discount Brackets:

Panel Bio's

Sophie Chapman
EA to Steven Bartlett

Despite earliest ambitions to become a talent agent, Sophie quickly discovered her career passions belonged in the administrative/operational aspects of working life. After graduating in Entertainment Management from LIPA in 2008, her work experience spanned the likes of Sony BMG, Sky One and multiple TV, music, radio and event environments. Her breakthrough PA role was supporting musician Eliza Doolittle. After five years, Sophie opted to move home to Liverpool and accept a maternity contract for Sir Dave Brailsford of Team Sky. Once complete, Sophie was offered a US-based role for an A-list musician until she eventually found her ‘forever role’ supporting Steven Bartlett. Steven is Founder and Former Group CEO of Social Chain; an author; podcaster, entrepreneur; and currently the youngest ever Dragon on BBC’s Dragon’s Den. Sophie has worked as Steven’s Executive Assistant on a global scale for six years in a private and corporate capacity.

Victoria Wratten
CEO of Executive & Personal Assistants Association

Victoria is a former Executive Assistant from the United Kingdom. She is extremely passionate about the role of the Assistant and actively encourages it as a truly fantastic career choice, after experiencing an extraordinary career journey herself.

She commenced her work as an Office Junior for a car leasing firm, before moving to a Junior Personal Assistant role at her next company. She then became a Secretary, until receiving her first Executive Assistant position at the age of 21; this was for Susan Scott-Parker OBE, CEO of the Business Disability Forum.

Susan and Victoria spent nearly five years working together and developed on extraordinary Boss/Assistant partnership, of which Victoria continued to build on for years afterwards. Victoria credits Susan’s exceptional leadership as a CEO and her manager for what was to follow.

Victoria then went onto to join one of the world’s leading specialist recruitment firms as an Executive Assistant and shortly after joining, went on to set up an award winning Internal PA Network in November 2009.

In addition to her role as an Assistant, Victoria also became involved with the wider EA/PA industry nearly two decades ago. She has organised numerous events and networking opportunities for EAs and PAs across the country and internationally including; breakfast seminars, training days, conferences and networking evenings.

She is former London and South East Chairman for EUMA (European Management Assistants) and then later on Deputy National Chairman for UK.

In October 2011 Victoria received an award ‘Outstanding Contribution to the PA Profession’ at the Mayfair PA Magazine awards.  Victoria was nominated by not only both of her Directors, but also by her colleagues from across the business and also from clients, who she had worked with, to create their own internal networks and trained over the years. Victoria was also a finalist in the Hays/Times PA of the Year 2008. Victoria has appeared as a judge on many prestigious awards for Assistants, most recently Wearethecity.com ‘Rising Star Awards’.

Victoria contributes to industry press on a regular basis and has appeared on the BBC Breakfast Show, BBC Radio 5 and in newspapers/magazines such as The Times, The Daily Mail, London Business Matters, People Management Magazine (CIPD), former Office Secretary Magazine and Management Magazine to name but just a few.

In 2015 Victoria was placed into the City AM Newspapers ‘Women in the City Power List’ and was in the Top 30. She was the first Executive Assistant to be recognised in a list such as this!

In 2017, Victoria was announced as the Brummell Magazine Top 30 Inspirational/Influencer women of the city of London for her work for the profession.

Victoria regularly presents and trains Assistants at events and conferences across the UK and used to speak internationally including; Belgium, Dubai, Ireland, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, South Africa and the USA. Her work is now solely dedicated to the UK profession.

Lucy James
PA to Marco Amitrano - Managing Partner and Head of Clients and Markets - PwC

Lucy is Personal Assistant to Marco Amitrano, PwC’s Executive Board member, Managing Partner and Head of Clients and Markets. Responsible for PwC’s overall Market Strategy and all Client and Market-facing activities, covering all Lines of Service, Industries, Regions and Platforms.

With over 15 years of experience, Lucy has worked for 2 of the previous PwC Chairman, supporting the day-to-day running of their offices, including extensive dairy management, travel coordination, publication of internal and external communications and management of senior client relationships.

Lucy’s expertise, approachability and willingness to share skills and knowledge has led her to become an official Mentor within PwC, supporting individuals to further progress their career through various training courses, networking events and coaching sessions.

Lucy returned from maternity leave in January 2023 and now works part-time in a job-share role, continuing to support Marco, helping to demonstrate to the wider PwC community that a highly demanding role can be executed effectively whilst still prioritising family commitments.

Mark Edwards
Panelist - Career EA, Fellow & Board Member of EPAA

Mark’s PA career began at Lloyds Banking Group, where he spent 16 years in Retail Banking, Customer Services, and Group Marketing, providing key executive support.

Subsequently, Mark was a Director-level PA at Tenovus Cancer Care, working in the third sector. Later, he joined SSE/OVO as an EA, where he provided executive support for the next eight years to the VP of Energy and, more recently, to the Director of Field Services & COO.

Mark is a highly motivated, organised, and structured individual, capable of juggling multiple priorities, working to tight schedules, and meeting deadlines without compromising quality.

As an advocate for male PAs/EAs/VAs, Mark is extremely passionate about breaking down stereotypes within the industry while providing seamless end-to-end management of a director’s busy office – #NotJustAGirlsJob!

Outside of work, Mark has a passion for architecture, design, and fashion. He is also a keen cook and baker, especially enjoying developing new recipes for artisan sourdough bread with his two starters, Cynthia and Nixon.

Reggie Love
Keynote Speaker

Virtual Keynote from Reggie Love

Reggie Love is a Senior Advisor at Apollo Global Management. Reggie’s responsibilities include supporting and developing strategy for human capital, public engagement and DE&I initiatives.

Reggie previously served as Partner at RON Transatlantic EG from 2012-2019, an international financial holding company with interests in the financial services, logistics, energy, industrial and beer sectors in the United States, Latin America and Europe. The group, via its portfolio companies, encompasses assets under management and revenues of over $14 billion. Mr. Love’s work at the firm focused on financial services and energy investments.

Prior to joining Transatlantic, Reggie served at the White House as personal aide to President Barack Obama from 2009-2011, where he was responsible for assisting with the coordination and completion of the President’s daily schedule as well as coordinating with other White House offices to set up long and medium range planning. Love moved to the District of Columbia in 2006 to work for then Senator Obama after short stints in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers.

Love is a graduate of Duke University, holds and MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is the author of the New York Times Best Seller, Power Forward, My Presidential Education, which is a collection of stories and principles learned during his time working for President Obama and being a captain for the all-time most winning NCAA coach, Mike Krzyzewski.

Love also serves on the boards of Cox Media Group, Blade Air Mobility, National Summer Learning Association, Center for Environmental Farming Systems, Organizing for Action, Military Bowl Committee, Team Works, and The New Renaissance.

Kate Wood
Workshop Facilitator

Kate is a business owner, qualified coach, consultant, facilitator, trainer, podcaster and public speaker with a background in learning & development, employee engagement strategy, continuous improvement, communications and marketing. After 25 years working across the board in blue-chip, non-profit and civil service organisations she now provides support to businesses looking to evolve and become great places for people to work in and with.

Having worked with a wide variety of clients from school-age students to senior executives, she has been designing and running workshops, seminars and classes in person or via web events since she left long commutes and corporate roles behind in 2014 when she created her first two businesses. Her passion is in improving working relationships between roles and functions, supporting people to discover how to be their best selves at work. She does this in the auto-motive industry, financial services, medical teams, charities, global media, retail, education systems and the arts.

When she’s not working, she and her classic car Monty Morgan can be found zipping around the English countryside.

Kate's training & qualifications

CTI Co-Active certified coach, ICF registered (CPCC) (PCC)
Coach supervisor (ESQA) (EMCC)
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Lumina Sparks practitioner
Hay Group Leadership Styles & Climate accredited coach
Human Capital Institute certified in human capital strategy
Sheppard Moscow advanced business consulting
Conflict management trained (Thomas-Kilman instrument)
Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma

Free membership for a year with EPAA. Any attendee who signs up will get a free year of training, resources and support with EPAA. Details will be in your confirmation email.

So, will you be joining ? 🤔

EA, PA & Admin

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