PA Life Magazine 38 - MayJun 2017

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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This is my first issue at the helm of PA Life. Some of you may recognise me as the former online editor and may have met me at some of our networking events. I’m looking forward to taking the brand to the next stage in its development, along with our new Junior Content Writer Toby Cruse, who you’ll see at future meet-ups. I want to thank everyone who has sent me kind words of congratulations in this time of transition. Here’s to new beginnings.

This issue kicks off to an amazing start with our latest PA Profile star Hannah Jepson, who was named 2016’s PA of the Year at the London PA Awards at the Hippodrome Casino. I met up with Hannah at the fantastic Facebook office to find out how she came to win the accolade. Turn to p13 to read about her journey.

The EPAA has started its #NotJustAGirlsJob campaign to promote a more equal gender balance within the PA profession by asking male assistants to take part in a survey. The results revealed some interesting facts about the struggles of men striving to overcome the stereotypes surrounding the role – we analyse the statistics on p18.

The warmer weather means your company is probably looking into putting on some summer events. We’ve got a selection of unique venues to host your colleagues on p21, followed by a run-down of the country’s best golfing locations on p27 – perfect for corporate away days and incentives. Next up is a snapshot of the team-building activities on offer throughout the UK on p33.

We also take you to two of London’s finest restaurants – Olives at The Bailey’s Hotel and Yoshiaki at Dstrkt – starting on p36. Looking further afield, we visit the gorgeous Wasing Park for a taste of wellbeing retreats in Reading on p41, then hop on a plane to Belgium to get a tour of the new Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp on p42.

Finally, we learn how to be more environmentally friendly in the office on p47, pick up some handy desk exercise tips to save our poor backs on p49 and close with a word from Pitman SuperAchievers’ PA of the Year Craig Harris, who tells us never to give up on our dreams –fitting advice considering we’re in the midst of award season for admin professionals.

Let’s get this summer off to a great start with great advice from Adam Fidler on preparing your team for your upcoming holiday.

I hope to see you at our networking events in the coming months.

Molly Dyson, Editor

The UK’s award-winning title for personal and executive assistants

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Website: palife.co.uk

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E: editorial@palife.co.uk

EDITORIAL

Editor: Molly Dyson

Junior Content Writer: Toby Cruse

COMMERCIAL

Charlotte Russell E: charlotte.russell@ palife.co.uk Tel: 01992 374080

MANAGEMENT

Publisher Katy Phillips

Managing Director Sarah Hendy

DESIGN 155Creative

Printed by The Manson Group

All material in the publication is covered by copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise – whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher © 2017 Forum Events Media Ltd. While considerable care has been taken in the production of this issue, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors or omissions. No responsibility can be accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or equipment. All correspondence is assumed to be for publication unless clearly stated otherwise.

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Adam Fidler

Adam is an EA Trainer and Consultant who offers teaching and self-development of PAs and EAs. His popular twoday Executive PA course runs regularly in London through Pitman Training and in South Africa through CBM Training. Adam gained his broad, corporate experience as a PA/EA in a variety of blue-chip organisations. Twitter: @adamdfidler

Chelsea Langston-Lloyd

Chelsea is Senior Administrator to Deputy MD and Office Manager at Willmott Dixon Construction. Starting as an Assistant Administrator just over four years ago, she has worked her way up through the ranks. She looks forward to seeing where her career will take her and hopes to one day help people starting out in the profession. Twitter: @TheYoungEA

Jackie Erskine

Jackie was born and still lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She is a Chartered Member of the CIPD. With over 20 years’ senior secretarial experience, Jackie has started a new career chapter as Office Manager for Capita Asset Services. She established Personal Best NI in 2014. Jackie plays Gaelic football and is a keen runner. Twitter: @JackieErskine1

Peter Haling

Peter is an ex-professional basketball player turned qualified personal trainer and health & fitness expert. He specialises in back pain and rehabilitation, and has helped clients recover after injury. Peter is also a qualified sports nutrition and weight loss consultant, certified metabolic typing advisor and Titleist Performance Institute certified golf fitness trainer. thehealthquest.co.uk

Andy Barr

Andy is Director of Event Connections, a premier event registration and delegate management service provider with over 10 years’ experience in events, conferences and exhibitions. Event Connections has an extensive portfolio of corporate projects, including British Airways, Unilever, Samsung, Chelsea FC and Societe Generale. Twitter: @EvntConnections.

Craig Harris

Craig is an award-winning assistant currently working in the third sector. Prior to his career as a PA, he worked in administration and customer service. He describes himself as a ‘PA for life’ and recently won the Pitman SuperAchievers PA of the Year 2017. He is involved in the EPAA’s ‘Not just a girl’s job’ campaign, which aims to get more men into the profession. Twitter: @Harris3thatsme

Jennifer Corcoran

Jennifer is an award-winning PA-turned-entrepreneur with 20 years’ experience. Following her career success and thanks to her reputation as the ‘Queen of Social Media’, she decided to start her own business as a consultant helping professionals boost their online presence. Find out more at mysuperconnector.co.uk.

Twitter: @SuperConnector

Sally Boyce

Sally sought a career in marketing after graduating from university and many years in hospitality. Now she is involved with developing the corporate event and team-building offering for Longleat and Cheddar Gorge & Caves. She is passionate about wildlife conservation and has recently completed the National Three Peaks challenge for a second time. longleat.co.uk

PA Life News

Find out what’s been happening in our world

IAM ENDORSES PA LIFE TRAINING DAY

The Institute of Administrative Management (IAM) has announced its endorsement for the upcoming PA Life Training Day. Confirming that the Training Day is of the highest possible quality, the endorsement is awarded to programmes that greatly encourage the development of skills and abilities for admin professionals.

Taking place on Monday, 25 September at InterContinental London at the O2, the day will cover a wide range of relevant topics for varying levels of experience, o ering insightful seminars, courses and coaching sessions as well as the opportunity to network and connect with other personal and executive assistants.

Attendees can choose from a half-day programme for £175+VAT, or a full day for £295+VAT. There are also discounts available for groups of three or more. For more information or to register as a delegate, visit palife.co.uk/training-day.

Suppliers interested in attending the Training Day should contact Leanne McIntosh at L.McIntosh@forumevents.co.uk or on 01992 374104

PA LIFE ANNOUNCES 2017 CHRISTMAS PARTY

We’re pleased to announce that the 2017 PA Life Christmas Party will take place on 29 November from 6pm-10pm at DSTRKT London.

DSTRKT opened its doors in Soho in 2011 to critical acclaim. Today, the venue continues to attract an elite clientele from around the world. It has won The London Club & Bar Awards four years in a row and is a popular place to host corporate events. With the neighbouring Yoshiaki restaurant, guests are sure to be impressed by this attractive club.

Keep an eye on your inbox in the coming months for your exclusive invitation to this must-attend festive event.

COME SEE PA LIFE AT THE MEETINGS SHOW

We’re proud to be media partners of The Meetings Show, the UK’s premier event for the meetings industry, taking place at Olympia London from 13-15 June. Visit us on stand J600 to take advantage of exclusive discounts on PA Life Training Day and PA Life Club membership. Plus, our partner the Custom Cookie Company will provide visitors with a sweet treat featuring the latest cover of the magazine. To register to attend, visit themeetingsshow.com

PA LIFE CLUB MEMBERS EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF TUDOR PARK

A group of PA Life Club members recently travelled to Kent to network and experience everything on o er at Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club.

Head Chef Alfonso Salvaggio teamed up with Hotel Manager Nick Hawkes to bring the outdoors inside with their ‘Garden of England’ theme, which features healthy salads served in flower pots arranged in a pop-up greenhouse and hot food kept warm on a barbeque grill. PAs were also able to unwind with a relaxing back massage and nail treatment between touring the venue and learning about the benefits of live plants in the o ce from Chic Flowers, which also provides arrangements for events.

Later, the group picked up some clubs to get a quick putting lesson from one of Tudor Park’s PGA pros before competing to win a bottle of champagne. Members were o ered use of the hotel’s pool and leisure facilities to round out the day.

Straight to the point

Executive Assistant trainer and educator Adam Fidler o ers sound advice on topics of interest. This edition he provides his top tips for preparing your boss for your upcoming holiday

On the one hand, you look forward to it – getting away from the o ce for your annual holiday; on the other hand, you dread it! Going on annual leave, for any PA, shouldn’t be like this, but this is the reality! With increasing workloads, high expectations and a demanding boss, it’s crucial that PAs have a plan in place before they go on leave. Here are my ‘five P’ suggestions to make the week before you go on holiday as easy as possible.

Put things in perspective. Recognise that you aren’t indispensible and you can’t control what happens when you aren’t around.

Partner well in advance by arranging a hand-over meeting with the colleague who covers for you, or with your boss directly. Meet with your ‘cover’ (or exec)

at least two days before you break up to hand over any pressing items and to update them on where you are up to and what’s likely to occur in your absence. Don’t leave this meeting until your last day – time will run away with you. Your final day should be kept free

Prevent yourself from being online when you are away – use your ‘out of o ce’ appropriately and manage expectations by saying: “I have no access to email” so that you aren’t tempted to check-in during leave. Too many PAs look at their emails when they are on

“WITH INCREASING WORKLOADS, HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND A DEMANDING BOSS, IT’S CRUCIAL THAT PAS HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE BEFORE THEY GO ON LEAVE.”

for you to finish o any last-minute items, and leave on time.

Pre-empt by going over the diary for the duration of your holiday, and try to anticipate as much as possible. For instance, check travel is arranged, the boss has any documents needed, and cover all bases to ensure that when you do ‘hand over’ you’ve shown your boss you’ve thought ahead and left things in the best shape possible.

holiday, and that’s not a good way to set boundaries and establish a proper work-life balance.

Finally, on your return, pace yourself. You won’t catch up with a week’s worth of work in one day, so manage yourself by accepting it will take several days to get back to square one. And that means people need to be mindful that on your return, you have an even bigger workload to contend with.

Read all about it

This month’s motivational must-read book

COMMUNITY CLUB

Win Win Networking: Your Guidebook for Confident and E ective Connections

Author: Teresa Thomas

Paperback available to buy on Amazon US, $15 (£12)

The word ‘networking’ can strike fear, horror, or joy into the best of us. Networking is without a doubt a valuable skill set and resource tool. However, for many of us it can involve going outside our comfort zone. I prefer to think of it as relationship building or connecting, and Teresa’s top tips in this book will allow you to connect, shine and be your best at all times. I devoured this short book in one sitting. I’ve been networking for many years and can testify that I still learned a few tricks. Teresa’s writing is engaging, authentic, easy to digest and holds your attention from the o .

This book is literally brimming with so much useful information such as keeping track of

business cards at events, how to make the most of your time, how to deal with tricky situations and the ever-elusive follow-up. There are many useful and practical templates and checklists to help you feel more comfortable. Whether you’re new to the world of networking or a seasoned connector, Teresa can truly take anyone from shy to shine and help them build on their confidence and to forge lasting connections. I first connected with Teresa on LinkedIn so a lot of these valuable insights can also be applied when networking online. This book was a definite win/ win and will have you ready to mingle in no time!

Reviewed by Jennifer Corcoran, Founder, My Super Connector

My alarm goes off…

Work + Life

This

month Jackie Erskine, Office Manager and Chair of Personal Best NI unlocks her diary from AM to PM

Up until a career change this year, my typical day started off at 7.15am and the military procession set in. Everything was on a tight timeframe, therefore organisational skills were essential. Every morning I drove the two youngest to different schools then made my way to work, which was 15 minutes’ drive from my son’s school.

New beginnings…

In my opinion the role of the PA has evolved significantly. We’re actively involved in the business planning and contributing to decision making, along with other responsibilities including office management, events planning, recruitment, training, budget, project management and supervising staff. The responsibilities go on!

On a personal level, I enjoy challenge and constantly seek opportunities to improve my skills set. Professional development is key to success, therefore I decided that I was at a time and place in my life where I wanted a change in career; I could work full-time in an organisation where there is opportunity for progression.

I’m responsible for…

I got my job…

I saw the advertisement on an agency website for a business that required an individual who can demonstrate a high level of professionalism in the context of managing external clients and internal stakeholders. I decided I would ring first to get some information on the role/ company, not believing that change was imminent.

The recruitment process happened very quickly. I know I made the right decision for me, but to be sure I met with the agency consultant, the company’s assistant director, senior manager and director quite a few times

but I was asked to present Personal Best NI to the delegates.

I established Personal Best NI in 2015. It’s a networking forum, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland for colleagues across the country to share learning, best practice and experience. It is not exclusive to PAs and includes office managers, senior administrators, EAs and VAs. We meet four times a year and in January held our first social event and raised funds for our nominated charity, Alzheimer’s Society.

“THE ROLE OF THE PA HAS EVOLVED SIGNIFICANTLY. WE’RE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN DECISION MAKING”

before accepting this full-time position and leaving the security, experience and good friendships that developed over the past 18 years! On a positive note I don’t do the school run anymore! Less drama for me; not so for my husband.

In my spare time…

I’ve been appointed Office Manager of a busy and growing professional services business based in Belfast. I started in April. This is a new role and encompasses a variety of office management, PA and front-of-house responsibilities. Technically I’m still the ‘new girl’, however there is plenty of scope to develop the role as the weeks and months progress and this is a challenge I am looking forward to.

I love running. Five kilometres is my limit. I try to do a HIIT workout session several times during the week. My motto is ‘a sporting mind is a healthy mind’. I try to focus on my fitness in between taxiing my children to football matches and training sessions.

My proudest moment…

Is when I attended the PA and Office Manager Awards in May 2016. Not only was I a finalist in the charity category,

I am so grateful for my previous CEO’s support and the hospitality of many hotels and restaurants, which host our meetings. We are the Best in Class and are going from strength to strength. We have a core group of some of the most talented and committed individuals who work closely to achieve more. It does take a lot of time and effort, but getting the professional recognition we deserve is more rewarding. We have a member who is on the regional board of EPAA and therefore now more than ever we can develop further links with other networking forums in the UK and take networking to another level, and be our Personal Best.

My favourite techie kit/app… Paperless Boardroom app. It saves so much time and paper. I also love any driving app, as my sense of direction is dreadful!

My work mantra…

Be yourself and with a smile, ask for help; settling in will take a while!

Alternative career… Professional dancer.

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“THE EA ROLE EBBS AND FLOWS –YOU’LL HAVE BUSY TIMES WHEN THERE’S A BIG PROJECT ON, BUT THEN YOU’LL HAVE A LULL WHEN IT’S LESS BUSY. I USE THAT CYCLE TO MANAGE MY TIME BECAUSE I KNOW THE BUSY SPELLS AREN’T GOING TO LAST FOREVER.”

Words: Molly Dyson

Photography: Dave Willis

I have a rare opportunity to go to Facebook’s London office to interview Hannah Jepson, Executive Assistant and 2016 winner of PA of the Year at the London PA Awards. Arriving at the Euston campus, Hannah’s welcoming smile immediately tells me this is going to be a great morning and we get down to the nitty gritty of her career.

“I kind of fell into the role,” Hannah admits when I ask her why she became an assistant. “It was a happy accident. I went to the London College of Fashion and went straight into fashion buying as an assistant, but I always knew that I was super organised. That was the side of the role I loved, so it was a natural decision for me to go down the PA route.”

Her first PA role was at Microsoft, and I’m intrigued to hear how she landed such a sought-after position. “I knew I wanted a challenge and a typical PA role so when I saw the job advertised at Microsoft I contacted the agent. She said there was no way she would put me forward because I didn’t have any relevant experience, but I ended up calling her every day begging her to get me an interview.

“One day she phoned me to say one of the candidates had cancelled and asked how quickly I could get into London. I rushed to get ready because I was so excited. My potential boss came right out and asked why he should give me the job when he had PAs from Google with much more experience. I looked him in the eye and told him ‘I will be the hardest working PA you’ve ever had, and if I’m not you can fire me.’ He gave me the job then and there. When I left the interview I rang up the recruiter and was so happy about getting the job she didn’t even want to put me in the running for! That was a defining moment for me; my boss took a big risk, but he saw that we had a connection and that I was ambitious. He taught me so much. To this day he’s my mentor.”

What’s her advice for other PAs facing resistance from recruiters and employers? “Persistence is key. I kept calling that recruiter, which meant I was the first name that popped into her mind when an interview slot opened. If you’re not

having luck with agents, go directly to the company. Think outside the box and use different tactics.

“Your skills are transferrable, so think about what you do now and how that translates to the job you want. Be confident in your own ability and focus on what you can do, and how you’ll learn what you can’t.”

What skills do PAs need? “I always say there are three core traits – you need to be caring, calm and helpful. If you find joy in making other people’s lives easier, you’re going to go far as an assistant. It’s also really important to be the person who keeps it together when everything around you is falling apart. If you have those three attributes, you can then learn other skills along the way.”

Hannah has now been at Facebook for two years. What does she like about the company? “There’s so many things, but I think the most important aspect is the people; everyone here is really caring and wants to help their co-workers succeed. We have onboarding procedures where you can message anyone in the company to ask them to have a coffee with you – and they genuinely do. It’s such a welcoming place that it’s not a chore to get up and come to work every day.” She gives me a cheeky smile and continues: “And there’s free food!”

Hannah’s journey can be seen as an inspiration for those who want to become a PA. She says her first boss was instrumental in helping her adjust to the role. “He encouraged me to push the boundaries of what a PA does, yet always made sure the job worked for me as well as it did for him. Because of his advice, I now know what’s important to me and that helps me be my best.”

What’s important to Hannah? “I always have to be learning. I need to be absorbing something and facing a challenge. I get involved in a lot of projects for the company, such as events. My colleagues and I also set up an EA networking community for assistants who work in the media industry.

“What PAs need to realise is that they are really important to the business. My bosses always ask my opinion, include me on their decision-making process and ask me to sit in meetings. Therefore, I think PAs underestimate their own business acumen.”

With so much going on, I wonder if there’s such a thing as a typical day in the life of Hannah. “Definitely not! I don’t know

any PAs/EAs who have a ‘typical’ day. There’s the usual things an assistant does, such as scheduling meetings. Sometimes my boss makes market visits, so I have to arrange all of her travel and accommodation, then I get in touch with the teams in that market to organise meetings, meals and visits to other o ces. When she’s away, I’m in the o ce catching up on admin. And then there are occasions when I’m o -site at events. No two days are ever the same, but that’s something I like about the job; it gives me the chance to learn and develop.”

How does she handle the pressures of her job? “The EA role ebbs and flows – you’ll have busy times when there’s a big project on, but then you might have a lull where it’s less busy. I use that cycle to manage my time because I know the busy spells aren’t going to last forever. Take the quiet moments when you can. We’re in charge of our own work-life balance. It’s important to decide what matters to you and choose how you’re going to use your down time to de-stress.”

What’s Hannah’s favourite pastime? “I’m a shopper! I also love spending time with my friends and family; it’s the simple pleasures that help me relax. I’ve got a busy job and I commute in and out of London every day, so at the weekends I want to just chill out with my nearest and dearest. That’s what refuels me. I really like travelling and going on holiday too, so I get away as often as I can.”

Does she find it easy to have a good work-life balance?

“It took me a little while to find it. I’ve got better at it throughout my career. It can be di cult for new PAs because we strive to do our best and prove ourselves.

As you gain more experience, you start to realise you can do all that and still have a life outside of work. At the end of the day, if you’re tired and stressed out your boss isn’t going to get the best out of you.”

Onto the topic of the London PA Awards, I ask if Hannah knew she was in the running. “A colleague nominated me, which I didn’t know until I got the call from Amy Law to fill out more forms. I didn’t really think anything of it at the time, but then I made it to the finals for my category – ‘Above and Beyond’. I was astonished to see that people were voting for me.”

How she feel when she won? “I was completely shocked. I can’t actually remember what I was thinking at the time, but it was a huge honour to win ‘Above and Beyond’. I remember turning to my colleague and asking her if we should leave because I was adamant that I wouldn’t win the main award. She convinced me to stay so we could see who got it.

“When they said my name I was so shocked I nearly dropped my drink! Going up on stage was a bit of a blur. The next day when the initial surprise wore o I had time to sit back and think: ‘Wow. That was amazing.’ I feel so proud to have had this honour for the whole year. It’s not often that PAs get recognition; we’re unsung heroes who work in the background, so it’s really nice when we get to have our moment in the spotlight. There needs to be more recognition for assistants.”

What would Hannah say to PAs who are afraid to put themselves forward for awards? “Just do it. If I’m being honest, I probably wouldn’t have nominated myself for the London PA Awards, but in hindsight I think it’s so incredible to be recognised for my work. So really there’s no reason not to do it.”

“THE BEST ADVICE ANYONE EVER GAVE ME WAS TO ACT LIKE A SWAN. THAT MEANS THAT EVEN IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING UNDERNEATH, YOU SHOULD LOOK AS IF YOU’RE GRACEFULLY GLIDING ON THE SURFACE.”

What’s her advice for the next London PA of the Year?

“Just enjoy it. You deserve it. Make the most of this opportunity. I’ve had various PAs reach out to me for advice this year, so it’s a great chance to champion the industry.”

I turn our discussion to the future and ask what’s next for Hannah. “I’m one of those people who lives in the moment. My mantra is ‘enjoy your life, make memories and the rest will come’. I’m happy but I’d love to have a crystal ball!”

There’s a common thread that links Microsoft and Facebook – they’re both tech companies. I ask if Hannah is likely to stay in the industry or if she’d like to return to fashion someday.

“I like to be challenged, so as long as I’m happy in my role and I have a good relationship with my boss, I’d be comfortable working in any industry. I’ve been very lucky to work with inspirational people who are seen as leaders in their field. We’re so lucky that our skills are transferrable.”

Is there anything on her bucket list? “I want to travel and see more of the world. I want to make the most of any

opportunities that come my way and say yes to anything that scares me. I’m not saying I’d go skydiving or anything, but I would like to be more adventurous.”

I go a bit o -topic and ask if she has a dream boss. “That’s such a hard question! I’d love to work for the Queen. You might as well aim high, right? She seems like such a nice person, and imagine all the stories she could tell you and the things you could learn from her. Otherwise, I think I’d work for Victoria Beckham. She strikes me as being quite grounded and she’s driven by her family, yet also ambitious and inspirational in her fashion career.” I mention that Posh recently received an OBE and Hannah smirks. “I’d like one of those!”

What is her number one tip for PAs? “The best advice anyone ever gave me was to act like a swan. That means that even if you’re struggling and swimming against the current underneath, you should look as if you’re gracefully gliding on the surface even if you’re frantically paddling underneath.”

Here’s to being more like beautiful swans.

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Not just a girl’s job

It has long been reported that there is a huge divide between men and women in the PA role. According to the EPAA’s #NotJustAGirlsJob survey, the current gender split is 97 per cent female to three per cent male. That’s a pretty big gap when you consider the attention being given to the disparity among the UK’s boards. When you dig deeper, the data shows that 54 per cent of male PAs work in the corporate sector, compared to 10 per cent in the third sector, 15 per cent in the public sector, four per cent who work for SMEs and two per cent who are self-employed. Rather worryingly, 42 per cent of those who participated in the survey say they’ve experienced negative comments from colleagues that are based on outdated gender stereotypes and inaccurate ideas of the PA role. The majority of remarks ranged from co-workers questioning a male PA’s ability to work to a satisfactory standard to people making assumptions about their sexuality due to their career choice, which is seen as ‘feminine’

by the public. One participant says he had been refused opportunities on the basis of his gender, while another was asked in an interview why he wanted to have a ‘female’s role’.

Could it be these outdated stereotypes are keeping men from applying for administrative roles? PA A onso Bennet, who participated in the research, doesn’t think they should.

“Being a PA isn’t about being male or female; a good PA must be e cient with high levels of attention to detail,” he says. “Skills like these aren’t based on your gender.”

Deputy Chair for the EPAA Sean Steel agrees, saying: “The role of the PA/EA has changed significantly; however, it’s clear we still have a way to go. The focus should be on one’s ability to do the job, not whether the individual happens to be male or female.”

As a sign of positive change in the industry, 51 per cent of survey participants ignored gender stereotypes to actively pursue a PA or EA role. Proving that men see their job as a

The Executive & Personal Assistants Association (EPAA) recently surveyed the PA community to dig deeper into the gender divide of the role for its #NotJustAGirlsJob campaign and revealed some interesting statistics. Molly Dyson examines the results

long-term choice and not just a stop-gap or stepping stone to other roles, a third say they’ve decided to make a career out of being a PA and have been in the industry for 12 years or more.

Shirwyn Weber, an EA from South Africa comments: “If you feel you want to get into this career, do it. It is the most challenging and fulfilling position ever. People will stereotype every position out there.”

One participant says the stereotype of the PA role as a feminine one could stem from the outdated idea that PAs are simply secretaries who answer the phone, type letters and organise diaries. “The assistant role has changed dramatically in the last 10 years, where they are more and more having to understand the business and the environment in which he/she works. Changing that perception is likely to attract more men into the profession.”

Going back to a topic we explored at the 2016 o ce* show, another respondent believes job titles may also have something

to do with the lack of diversity, but also feels professionals should be able to look past these labels to get to the heart of the issue – which is providing a service to executives.

Victoria Darragh, CEO of the EPAA believes that breaking the common stereotype that the PA role is a feminine one is key to attracting more male talent, which in turn creates a more diverse and enriched profession. She has set an aim for the organisation to decrease the gender split by raising awareness and educating the world about the value of greater equality in the administrative industry. The #NotJustAGirlsJob survey is just the start of an ongoing campaign that will focus on raising the profile of men in the profession, driving more male candidates to apply for PA/EA roles and providing role models and mentoring programmes.

If you’re a male PA who wants to overcome stereotypes, we encourage you to get involved with the EPAA’s campaign at epaa.org.uk/not-just-girls-job.

indigo at The O2

indigo at the O2, based within The O2, is fast becoming one of London’s most sought after venues. Originally designed for music concerts it has now opened its doors to the corporate world. Established as a large well known stand-alone venue it has the flexibility to change from a conference venue seating up to 1,597 theatre style to a private dining space for as many as 540 guests. With its built in stage, back stage facilities, 7 preferred caterers and a private VIP lounge it works hard to develop, inspire and meet the needs of all clients.

The in house AV and technical inclusions are vast, impressive and most are included within the hire charge. The large capacities and the flexibility of the space make it a great choice for companies looking to give their delegates something a little di erent…… who

wouldn’t want to stand on the same stage as Justin Timberlake, Floyd Mayweather, Pixie Lott and Craig David? The venue is perfect for product launches, award dinners, conferences, graduations, sports events, e-gaming and much more!

Surrounded by restaurants, a large on site hotel, multiple transport links and activities such as “Up at the O2” it is ideally positioned to capture business from across London and beyond. Whether it’s an annual dinner or a company party it has one main goal… to impress!

Contact information: emma.carroll@aegpresents.co.uk 02084 632 707

Top event planning tips from BMA House

Many unique venues such as BMA House feature stunning outdoor spaces. The summer party season is almost upon us, so check out the team’s top tips for planning an unforgettable event

Save on room hire

Shop around to find your perfect venue; many will have special o ers or early booking discounts and incentives, meaning you have more of your budget to spend on the exciting things like incredible theming and delicious food.

Location, location, location

Pick a location that’s not only easily accessible but also somewhere with plenty going on so your guests can have fun before or after your event. BMA House is located just a five-minute walk from Euston station and 10 minutes from St Pancras in bustling Bloomsbury, surrounded by green spaces and an abundance of bars and shops at the nearby Brunswick Centre.

Outside space

Make the most of the summer with an outdoor event; a luscious English garden makes the perfect backdrop for a memorable summer soirée. BMA House has two

stunning outdoor spaces, the Garden and Courtyard, and you can start your party from 4pm to catch all the afternoon rays.

What about the rain?

Plan for unpredictable weather; make sure you have a back-up plan in case of summer showers. At BMA House, each outdoor space is hired in conjunction with an equally impressive indoor space meaning come rain or shine, your guests can party on.

Get creative

Summer is the time for beautiful bunting, fairy lights and lanterns, delicious BBQs and colourful salads; let your creative side run wild and go the extra mile to impress and surprise your guests. The experienced events team at BMA House have endless innovative ideas to help you plan the event of the year.

BMA House is a stunning Grade II-listed venue o ering a range of spaces for up to 320 guests. Contact the events team now at events@bma.org.uk or 020 7874 7020

0121

Thespaces@birmingham-rep.co.uk

birmingham-rep.co.uk/our-place/venue-hire-and-conferencing.html

BMA HOUSE

BMA House is a hidden gem in central London, combining historic charm and heritage features with the latest meeting and event facilities.

Make the most of the British summer with an outdoor event held in one of BMA House’s two impressive outdoor spaces. The Garden features a tranquil pond and array of beautiful plants, with space for up to 90 guests. Meanwhile, the recently renovated Courtyard, with its majestic Gates of Remembrance and stunning fountain can host up to 320 guests.

Enjoy an English Garden Party this summer from £80 +VAT per person, including a hearty BBQ, welcome cocktail and garden games. bmahouse.org.uk

THE BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE

The Birmingham Repertory Theatre has a wide range of spaces for conference and event planners to host their events in the heart of Birmingham. As well as the theatre spaces, there are three further purpose-built conference rooms for up to 200 delegates, plus two quirky meeting rooms. All have natural daylight, the latest audio-visual equipment and stunning views over Centenary Square and the City of Birmingham. The Rep can transform any event into something magical, unique and truly unforgettable. Weddings, milestone birthdays, Christmas parties and private dinners are all catered for with a theatrical twist. birmingham-rep.co.uk

The

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ENGLISH GARDEN PARTY

Catch the afternoon sun at BMA House in our beautiful Courtyard with a new 4pm start for our Summer packages

From Monday 17th July to Monday 4th September we are starting our summer party package at 4pm. Enjoy the sunshine, our hearty BBQ food, attentive service & relax in our secluded fountain Courtyard – £80  + VAT per person (can be lowered for higher minimum numbers). Access for organisers from 3pm. Minimum numbers of 90 apply.

CEME CONFERENCE CENTRE

CEME came 10th in the Best Places to Work in Hospitality 2017 at The Caterer HR Forum awards. The nationwide competition celebrates venues that place people at the heart of their business strategy.

The venue has also been short-listed for the finals of the Conference Awards 2017 in the hotly contested ‘Best Conference Venue’ category. CEME faces some tough competition from some of the biggest names in the industry including Emirates, Olympia and The Crystal. cemeconference.co.uk

ROYAL ARMOURIES INTERNATIONAL

Why not bring your next event to life? Surround your guests with historical artefacts and armour, all in a modern waterfront setting.

Royal Armouries International hosts an array of fabulous events at the Royal Armouries Museum and New Dock Hall, Leeds. Whether it’s a bespoke conference, taking advantage of the blank canvas that is Ne Dock Hall, or a pre-event drinks reception in one of the museum’s five di erently themed galleries, you can be assured to wow your guests at this unique venue. rai-events.co.uk

THE HONOURABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY

Set in five acres of private gardens, and just a few minutes’ walk from Moorgate and Old Street tube stations, The HAC o ers the perfect setting for your next event.

The mix of Georgian splendour with contemporary Prince Consort Rooms creates the finest backdrop for corporate, private and sporting events right in the heart of the City. hac.org.uk/events

High quality hospitality, golf and service awaits and Walton Heath...

Business on the Golf Course has never been so popular or successful and with Walton Heath Golf Club located less than an hour from central London in the heart of Surrey, it makes it the perfect escape for your Corporate Golf Day. With two World Class Championship Golf Courses, visitors are met with a warm welcome as they enter the traditional Clubhouse steeped in over 100 years of history before stepping out on to the breath taking heathland courses.

Par for the course

Molly Dyson finds out what makes golf the perfect choice for businesses looking to treat clients and sta to time away from the o ce

Since its invention in 15th-century Scotland (or the Netherlands, depending on who you believe), golf has been the favourite pastime of millions of people from a range of ages, backgrounds and physical abilities. It’s no wonder the sport has become a popular choice for executives looking to do a bit of business in the great outdoors.

“Taking business out on to the golf course has never been more popular,” says Jemma Overing, Golf Events & Sales Manager at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey.

“Here at Walton Heath, we have seen many companies and visitors bringing clients and employees from around the world to reap the benefits of getting out in the fresh air and on to the golf course.

“Golf is a social sport and spending time with friends, family and colleagues not only enhances social and mental wellbeing, it helps in relationship building on and o the course, socially and in the business world. Golf is all about tactics and techniques so it’s great for keeping you fit and good for the mind too.

“The next time you’re thinking about what to do to entertain and network with your colleagues and clients, bring them to the golf course and experience for yourself the wonders a round of golf and great hospitality can do for you.”

Find out more about Walton Heath at waltonheath.com

Here’s a few things to consider when booking a corporate golf day.

1. Location – Find out where your guests will be coming from so you can choose a venue that is convenient for everyone. There are thousands of courses in the UK, many of which o er state-of-the-art meeting facilities so you can combine business with pleasure.

2. Book early – Golfing works best in summer, but many courses will fill up quickly. Book your venue as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

3. Non-golfers – Not everyone will be interested or have the skills to keep up with the pros in the group, so consider adding tutorials and clinics for those who want to learn, as well as a spa visit or other outdoor activities for those who don’t want to pick up a club.

4. After party – When everyone has finished, they’ll want to celebrate with a drink. When choosing your venue, ask to tour the bar or club so you can envision where your guests will relax after a long day outside. It doesn’t hurt to request a sample of the food too – tried and tested is the best way to learn if you’re making the right choice.

TUDOR PARK MARRIOTT

HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB

Tudor Park is home to a pristine championship 18-hole, par-70 course that has hosted both the PGA EuroPro Tour Kent PGA Pro-Am. The beautifully designed country club features the Zest Bar and Eatery, where guests can relax after a day on the course, as well as a Pro Shop sta ed by experts who can help golfers find the perfect equipment for them.

Located near Maidstone –known as the ‘Garden of England’ – Tudor Park also o ers state-of-the-art meeting facilities and first-class guest rooms, so you can combine a golfing experience with a conference and overnight stay. marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/ tdmgs-tudor-park-marriotthotel-and-country-club/

FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS

Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland is the ‘home of golf’, and where better to treat your corporate guests to the ultimate golf experience?

The rugged coastal setting meets stunning five-star hospitality. The on-site team of PGA professionals is on hand to assist players every step of the way.

No matter the reason for teeing o , whether it’s to close a deal or celebrate success following a conference, St Andrews has a dedicated golf team who tailors every event to suit the aims, time pressures and budgets to create an unforgettable day for your company.

fairmont.com/standrews-scotland

WHITTLEBURY HALL

Whittlebury Hall and Whittlebury Park provide the perfect backdrop for both corporate clients and leisure guests. Nestled in hundreds of acres of ancient parkland and just a 10-minute drive from the M1 and 20 minutes from central Milton Keynes, Whittlebury o ers an awardwinning 254-bedroom four-star hotel, conference and training centre, a two AA Rosette restaurant and meetings and events facilities catering for up to 3,000 delegates, as well as a luxurious spa and a first-class golf course. The golf facilities feature a 36-hole championship course, driving range, simulators, PGA professional coaches, Callaway fitting centre and award-winning Atrium Clubhouse within its grounds. whittleburyhall.co.uk

WALTON HEALTH GOLF CLUB

Walton Heath Golf Club is located less than an hour from central London in the heart of Surrey and is the perfect location for your corporate golf day. Doing business, networking and entertaining has never been more popular, and the golf course is ideal to escape the o ce for some fresh air and friendly competition. With two world-class championship golf courses, visitors and groups are met with a warm welcome as they enter the traditional clubhouse steeped in more than 100 years of history before they step out onto the breath-taking heathland courses for a unique and unforgettable experience. waltonheath.com

Making your event more secure

A few months ago, I was attending a meeting at one of our clients’ o ces. As a large corporate organisation, their London HQ is somewhat overwhelming. I was greeted by impeccably presented receptionists who smiled broadly from behind their massive desk. And then, it all went horribly wrong.

Despite arranging the meeting with my contact a week or two earlier, my name had not been added to the cleared security list and so I was not allowed access to the building. Hushed conversations and phone calls ensued until eventually my contact burst into the reception area and vouched for me. Only then was I given accreditation and allowed into the building. The security guards slid back into their default positions and awaited their next moment of excitement. Wind forward two weeks and I popped in to visit the same client at an event they were hosting on Park Lane.

It was a significant evening reception, with all their senior sta present and hundreds of clients and contacts attending. Despite the numerous security guards present, I found that I could breeze straight into the heart of the event with little more than a suit and a smile.

Why would a company that spends significant sums restricting access to its o ce throw all that good practice out of the window when holding events and conferences? Especially when some of the most significant individuals in the company are there, all in the same place at the same time?

Having worked at so many di erent events, we really have seen it all; the journalist trying to sneak a look at quarterly results, a competitor hoping to hear about a new strategy or product, and of course people who just want a few drinks on your tab. Although, keeping your event secure is only one

Security is something that is often overlooked when it comes to corporate events. Who’s responsible for ensuring only invited guests are allowed in? Andy Barr, Director of Event Connections discusses his experiences and gives some advice for PAs

side of the coin. The flip side is that for those who should be there, registration, badging and entry should be e cient and pain-free.

Many events still print out badges in advance and lay them out on the table – allowing everyone to walk in, collect their badge and head into the event. While that is easy to manage for very small events where you might recognise everyone, as the numbers rise it becomes more di cult and much more susceptible to abuse. If a badge gains access and anyone can pick up a badge, then how do you really know who is there?

There are a variety of ways to redress this imbalance by using in-house resources, external contractors, or a blend of the two. At Event Connections, for example, we have tailored many of our event registration solutions to ensure enhanced security and accreditation at events. As well as providing a high-quality,

high-speed registration and badging service, we work with in-house security teams to ensure that corporate accreditation policies are applied to o -site activities.

For some organisations, showing a company security pass is su cient proof of identity. For others, full photo ID may be required. Whatever the protocols, we integrate them into our workflow so that it is straightforward for attendees but you have a robust entry criteria and full reporting on who came and when. Our live stats also mean that you have instant access to attendee data and nifty features like a black list can prevent people with key words in their data from registering at all.

It pays to take time to consider the security at your o site activities and then maybe next time someone tries to wander into your event, you will have something in place to stop them.

Colleague connection

Company team-building activities are changing as a new generation of employees takes over, and it’s up to suppliers to o er more unique options, says Sally Boyce, Marketing & Sales Executive at Longleat

A few years ago, many people would cower in cringe-induced fear at the prospect of a ‘team-building away day’. But I think this cliché is on the decline. Teams across all industries seem to be searching for quirky and out-of-the-ordinary teambuilding opportunities – where you can get really stuck in and interact with each other. This change in attitude to hands-on activities over the past decade represents a great opportunity to the industry to think outside the box and be creative with their product range.

Millennials are the new client generation and they are unashamedly thrill-seeking. This newly established demographic of event planners is inherently familiar with change and innovation and tends to be more comfortable stepping out of the pre-designated comfort zone (and bringing their teams, kicking and screaming, with them). These are the sort who get excited about slacklining, and would think nothing of wielding power tools to claim victory in a competitive crafting activity. With this is mind, at Longleat and Cheddar Gorge & Caves, we’re consistently scrutinising our corporate product o ering to improve and hone what we o er to an increasingly diverse portfolio of clients.

Suppliers and venues are being handed increasingly interesting, varied and sometimes bizarre event briefs; this poses such a great opportunity to the industry for everyone to up their game and try to resist leaning on the archaic ‘away day’. Being able to deliver truly unique opportunities for clients to experience something new and exciting means you need an engaging USP and can stand

a nose ahead of your competitors. For 2017 we’ve taken a focused interest in the team-building potential at Cheddar Gorge & Caves, with plans to rejuvenate the portfolio of activities and extend the range to suit more diverse groups, from those who’d fancy cheese and cider tasting in Gough’s spectacular show cave, through to those who’d prefer to scale the sides of the cli s themselves.

Considering the diversity of team-building activities available, on paper it’s sometimes tricky to demonstrate how appealing an exercise in learning can be for clients.

An invaluable way of ensuring delegates not only enjoy themselves but go away with lifelong memories is to give them tools to learn something. Whether it is self-taught through orienteering activities or scavenger hunts, or delivered through supplier intervention and expertise such as wine tasting or even caving, if an individual can feel their skills have been enriched by their team-building away day, then your brief has been fulfilled and more.

It is also underestimated how appealing an exercise in ‘giving something back’ can be; if you can deliver an experience that promotes a good cause, alongside delivering on a client brief, this can be a valuable driver of genuine delegate engagement. At Longleat we can set up hands-on crafting workshops that see delegates working together (or competing) to engineer an enrichment device for some of the Safari Park’s residents. This is then presented to the animals the same day and guests can then see first-hand their e orts coming to life.

ACF TEAMBUILDING AND EVENTS

ACF Teambuilding and Events, based at Aldwick Court Farm and Vineyard in Somerset, is one of the top event management companies in the region.

The team runs a variety of events across the country –including It’s A Knock-Out-style fun, family fun days and

CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES

Business Gone Wild conferences at Chessington World of Adventures can include a range of indoor and outdoor team-building activities, with challenges across the Resort in both the theme park and the hotels. The venue provides several memorable event options such as ride and dine packages, animal experiences and VIP ride access.

Why not experience

Go Ape with the Resort’s team-building packages? Swing through the trees with your colleagues –the ultimate way to inspire ideas, boost morale and truly get the team spirit flowing. Go Ape is a team day out like no other. chessington.com

evening parties. They host team-building challenges and carry out psychometric tests to better understand group members and work to their strengths.

The 300-acre estate includes a quad bike safari course, a mini-car racing track, tank driving and professional clay shooting stands. acfteambuilding.co.uk

RACE THE DRAGON

Race the Dragon is the UK’s leading provider of corporate dragon boat experiences. Dragon boat racing is recognised as the country’s current top team-building choice.

The activity is perfect for corporate events for 14 to 1,000 people due to its suitability for complete novices and the competitive and progressive nature of the activity.

Teams coming to Race the Dragon are taught how to gel and work together towards a common goal in a series of sprint races over a 200-meter course. Progressing from complete novice to beyond excellence, the top single fastest time qualifiers go through to a Grand Final, where the winner takes it all.

racethedragon.com

LONGLEAT

Want a company activity day that makes a di erence? Longleat o ers ‘Team Building With a Bite’, where groups work together to build enrichment devices designed to improve the lives of the safari’s animals residents. Why not treat your colleagues to a VIP Safari Tour to get up-close and personal with the majestic wildlife?

With the newly built Longhouse event venue, you can combine a meeting with some fun for your team.

If you’re looking for a bigger challenge, the nearby Cheddar Gorge & Caves o ers rock climbing and caving adventures. longleat.co.uk/business

WHAT WE ATE

Pan-roasted squab pigeon – £13.50

Broccoli Calabresi saltati – £4

Pan-roasted sea bass fillet – £22

Pan-roasted duck breast – £19

Tiramisu al pistachio – £7

Caramel and co ee tarte – £7

Bottle of Pinot Grigio Blush Sospiro, Veneto, 2013 – £32

CONTACT

Olives Restaurant & Bar

The Bailey’s Hotel 140 Gloucester Road London SW7 4QH

TRIED & TASTED

Not much can top a fresh, authentic Italian meal in a relaxed setting, which is exactly what you’ll get at Olives Restaurant & Bar

When it comes to entertaining clients or booking a dinner meeting for your boss, sometimes simple is best. That’s not exactly how I’d describe chef Davide Di Croce’s unique take on Italian classics, but Olives at The Bailey’s Hotel certainly has a more home-cooked feel to it than most other places we normally recommend. But don’t let the restaurant’s relaxed family vibes fool you – the food here is first class.

I arrive an hour before my table booking to meet hotel manager Cipriano Silva, who shows me some of the stylish, recently refurbished guest rooms while he explains that the property wants to provide an up-market design with a familyfriendly atmosphere. That much is evident by the fact that Silva greets many guests by name as we tour the building before winding up in the buzzing bar for a glass of fizz. He tells me the hotel is just about to complete a new space that combines work and play, o ering both a meeting location and a media room.

In the restaurant, there’s a mix of people in business suits and families, with the sta being careful to keep them relatively separated for privacy’s sake. The large space and incredibly tall

ceiling ensure conversations don’t drift, while a playlist of classics and modern tunes create a wonderful ambience. Davide’s menu is extensive but not daunting. Our waiter highly suggests the pan-roasted squab pigeon to start so I go with that and don’t regret it in the slightest, while my partner keeps it light with an order of sautéed tender stem broccoli with garlic, chili and almond flakes.

Next up is a delicious pan-roasted sea bass fillet with pancetta, artichokes and potatoes for me – a dish that reminds me of something my childhood friend’s Italian mother once cooked up for us. My plus-one’s choice makes me slightly jealous, though – duck breast with spiced honey, chard and an oh-so-sweet port sauce. Both of our mains pair very well with a Venetian pinot grigio blush.

Dessert is by far my favourite part of this meal; I just have to try Davide’s pistachio tiramisu, which is so creamy and soft that I savour every last bite. My companion’s caramel and co ee tarte with rose water custard is sweet and crisp. Both go down a treat with a lovely dark espresso.

Olives is open for lunch and dinner, as well as afternoon tea, and its location in The Bailey’s Hotel – right next to the Millennium Gloucester – makes it an ideal choice for businesses looking to entertain guests.

Molly Dyson

CONTACT

Yoshiaki

DSTRKT London

9 Rupert Street

W1D 6DG

&TRIEDTASTED

The capital’s booming nightlife has leaked into the restaurant industry, with many clubs joining forces with top chefs to o er pre-dance meals. Yoshiaki at DSTRKT London is one such hip venue

One doesn’t normally associate a nightclub with business, but my mind is changed for the good as soon as I set foot inside Yoshiaki, a swanky pan-Asian restaurant located next door to the ultra-cool DSTRKT London. The club itself is a favourite among A-List celebs such as Tom Cruise, Kanye West, Rihanna and Nicole Scherzinger, to name a few. Yoshiaki provides an equally swish setting for a meal complete with live DJ on Fridays and Saturdays, plus top-notch service. Don’t let the thought of booming beats put you o this venue – it’s not so obnoxiously loud that you can’t have a conversation but injects just enough bass to get people’s feet tapping. Plus, there’s a private dining space that can be walled o from the rest of the space and seats up to 14.

The setting alone is enough to impress clients – coloured lighting, eclectic textures on the walls and a particularly stunning art piece that resembles a pond full of lily pads and doubles as the main light fixture.

If that’s not enough, you can take your guests on a journey through Asia with a wide variety of innovative dishes accompanied by creative cocktails inspired by ingredients of the region. My drink of choice is recommended by our waiter based on my a nity for gin and called a Hot Garden –an expert blend of gin, apricot liqueur, elder flower, ginger beer and chillies. I decide to start with a Malaysian laksa soup with prawn tails and fried tofu that’s got just the right amount of coconut to o set the red chillies, while my plus-one goes

WHAT WE HAD

Spicy tuna rolls – £12

Malaysian laksa soup – £9.50

Crispy tofu – £9

Miso black cod – £35

Grilled king prawns – £28

Coconut rice – £5.50

Thai herb leaf salad – £5

Matcha and passion fruit cheesecake – £7.50

Dark chocolate and chili mousse – £7.50

Cocktails – £42

for a small dish of crispy tofu fried to perfection and served with quinoa and pomegranate. Our eyes are bigger than our stomach tonight, as we also plump for an order of spicy tuna rolls – but they’re so good we devour them in no time.

After much deliberation, my partner plumps for king prawns grilled on a robata in a slightly spicy ponzu sauce with a side of coconut rice. I go for a house speciality, a tender miso black cod wrapped in a giant hoba leaf with pickled vegetables, along with a small Thai herb leaf salad on the side. It makes my top five fish dishes of all time, with the hoba adding a delectable fragrance to the traditional miso flavours. We both eat in silence, not wanting to pause for conversation for fear of missing out on such exquisite food.

I’m ready to call it quits, but our waiter convinces me the dessert menu is well worth having to loosen my belt so we have a look. I’m immediately won over by the idea of a dark chocolate and chili mousse, which turns out to be as divine as it sounds – smooth and sweet with a kick from the candied chillies. My companion’s matcha and passionfruit cheesecake is a hit and disappears without a crumb left on the plate, washed down with a smooth co ee.

If unique is what you’re after you can’t go wrong with Yoshiaki, whether you’re looking for a private dining space, a convenient location for an after-work meal with colleagues, or a place to host a reception.

Molly Dyson

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Wasing Park

Molly Dyson heads to the outskirts of Reading for a slower pace at Wasing Park

Located near the picturesque village of Aldermaston, just 45 minutes from London, lies the expanse of the Wasing Estate. Nestled among the land’s historic fishing lakes and farms is Wasing Park and its eclectic variety of event venues, complete with 26 individually designed en-suite guest rooms, some of which have been cleverly set into historic buildings such as the dovecote and the old granary.

My partner and I visit the venue on one of those rare sunny April weekends to experience everything Wasing has to o er, starting with an energising team-building activity. We’re put into a group with two lovely PAs from the banking sector and given a map of the estate, along with a set of clues related to cocktails. It’s a clever way for us to tour the grounds, as the hints lead us on a treasure hunt around some of the historic features and into the Secret Walled Garden – an ideal location for summer parties. Here we’re given all the ingredients we need to make some classic cocktails that will be judged by an expert from Wasing’s activity partner Eventive.

From the garden we’re guided on a short walk to the Woodland, an outdoor venue set next to the original ice pond that o ers two wooden structures for drinks receptions. After the cocktail competition is over (our Moscow Mule didn’t win), we’re given the opportunity to try out a Segway experience, tour the grounds in a four-wheel buggy and learn from Eventive’s resident survival expert several ways of lighting a camp fire without a match or lighter. I skip the Segway but take the opportunity to learn more about the estate’s history while

being driven around its two large fishing lakes, which make a great backdrop for a company picnic.

Lunch – lamb Asado and wood-fired pizza – is served in the Stables courtyard, followed by an informative salamimaking demonstration by The Hampshire Salami Co, which o ers classes for corporate activity days.

Later I take part in one of the venue’s many wellness o erings, a light yoga class presented in the beautiful Garden Room, a new building that o ers floods of natural light and the ability to open it up to the fresh air. Spending an hour with our instructor doing breathing exercises and rejuvenating stretches leaves me feeling refreshed and relaxed.

We’re invited for drinks and canapés with owner Josh Dugdale on the terrace of the Castle Barn, one of the estate’s oldest buildings, followed by a fantastic dinner made by on-site caterer Galloping Gourmet.

That night is spent in one of Wasing’s fabulously designed suites in the Stables Lodge, which is laid out over two floors and features all the comforts of a modern hotel without the fuss. In the morning we’re treated to a home-cooked breakfast and sent on our way with a goody bag full of sausages made using the farm’s own pork.

Companies looking for a change from the hustle and bustle of the city need look no further than Wasing Park – it’s a true gem of a countryside venue.

To find out more about booking Wasing Park for corporate events or meetings, visit meetingsandevents.wasing.co.uk

Jewel in the diamond capital

Antwerp may be the diamond capital of the world, but a new convention centre is set to place the Belgian city firmly on the business destination map. Toby Cruse visits this state-of-the-art venue

Arriving in Antwerp by train, walking through the central station built within grand cathedral architecture, it’s immediately apparent that this isn’t a city shy of its merits. As Europe’s second largest port, among Belgium’s largest cities and one of the most densely populated areas in the EU, Antwerp’s rich and vibrant cityscape boasts of being the ‘diamond capital’, the world’s largest diamond processing and trade centre.

Heritage and innovation walk side-by-side through the city, historical buildings fitted with modern designs giving Antwerp an image of constant change without forgetting its past. Exploring the city will reveal an environment striving to shine as the heartbeat of European culture and fashion, confident in creativity, boasting a personality unique to itself.

Embodying these traits seconds away from the central station is the newly launched Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp, the FMCCA, a deceptively large conference space at the heart of Antwerp Zoo.

Built upon the original Queen Elizabeth Hall, the FMCCA merges old sections of the Zoo with modern spaces to o er around 30 rooms designed for meetings, seminars, receptions, dinners and even concerts as it gives businesses the opportunity to host events directly next to the butterfly garden,

within the old museum area, or accompanied by the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra.

“Yesterday evening I saw in my agenda ‘FMCCA’, I thought it was the reunion of the Village People!” joked Bart De Wever, Mayor of Antwerp, who admitted that the centre will fit in comfortably in a city “not universally known for its modesty”.

“Few cities can count on such a strong package concentrated in one, easily walkable area. Today, Antwerp gains a winning asset with a convention centre in such a remarkable location.”

O ering a ‘room with a zoo’, the FMCCA opens up the adjoining zoo to business events, giving professionals the opportunity to explore after hours and dine in the aquarium. With opportunities such as attending a meal surrounded by the sea life in a sleeping zoo, Mayor De Wever is hoping that it will encourage more companies to see Antwerp as an ideal and unique business destination. The city is expected to introduce more and more opportunities for the growing business venue market as Antwerp continues to expand its “international ambitions”.

“No doubt, FMCCA will become a cornerstone of this city,” concluded De Wever. “A city that drives the Flemish economy and proudly serves as its business and cultural capital.” elisabethcenter.be/en/meetings-events-antwerp

WHERE EXCELLENCE IS THE ONLY STANDARD

Looking for a truly unique venue close to London, Birmingham and Oxford? Look no further than the historic Estate of Woburn with its prestigious venue The Sculpture Gallery.

The Sculpture Gallery, located in the grounds of The Woburn Abbey Estate, looks out onto a private terrace, rose garden and Camellia Lake, with distant views of the surrounding 3,000 acre deer park.

This elegant and versatile venue o ers a truly historic and impressive setting and is perfect for events of 20 to the most lavish product launches, team building, gala dinners, award ceremonies, seminars, exhibitions, meetings and private parties up to 250 guests.

For delegates needing overnight accommodation or meeting facilities for guests up to 30, The Woburn Hotel owned by and part of The Woburn Estate has four AA stars o ering 48 bedrooms and seven cottage suites and is located less than a mile from The Sculpture Gallery.

Discover today why The Sculpture Gallery is a favourite with so many respected companies when exclusivity along with excellent professional service is required and guaranteed.

Reasons to host your next meeting at The Sculpture Gallery

n 60 minutes from London, Oxford, Cambridge and Birmingham.

n Part of The Woburn Estate which includes a Safari Park, 4 star Hotel and championship Golf Club.

n Renowned for our customer service with a reputation for excellence.

n The Woburn Estate o ers a unique space for team building activities, with its 3,000 acre deer park.

n 2 complimentary adjoining wood panelled break out spaces, The Long Harness Room and Lantern Room for your use when hiring The Sculpture Gallery.

n Within the grounds of Woburn Abbey’s 3,000 acre deer park we can accommodate marquees.

n Adjacent to The Sculpture Gallery is the period Antique Quarter, this two storey building houses 40 individual rooms and is perfect for exhibition stands, pop up shops and filming.

We would be delighted to hear from you regarding your exclusive event requirements.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Chelsea Pountney Sales Manager

The Sculpture Gallery Woburn Abbey Estate Woburn MK17 9WA

T: 01525 292130

E:sales@woburn.co.uk

www.woburnabbey.co.uk

Facebook: The Sculpture Gallery, Woburn Abbey

Asking the right questions

You’ve found the right meeting venue in the right place at the right cost. Paul Rowney, Director at Forum Events, gets down to some often-overlooked details. Some of these may seem unimportant, but if you don’t cover them, they could ruin your event

The meeting room:

• How close is the venue entrance to your registration desk? If it’s a long distance, where can you put directional signs or posters (some hotels are very picky about this)? If they won’t allow your own signs, how good are theirs?

• Check the lighting: what ambiance does it give and will it be bright enough? Is it easily adjusted (sometimes the controls are not in the same room)?

• If there are windows, (ideally there should be) how quickly can the light be adjusted for a slide or video presentation?

• Will you be sharing your reception areas with other events? If so, what type of event will it be? Being adjacent to a musical instruments exhibition might not be a good idea.

• How is the temperature controlled? Often rooms get too cold, or hot. You need to be able to adjust the temperature quickly. In one hotel we used, the whole HVAC set-up was controlled remotely from a facility hundreds of miles away and di cult to contact.

• Ask if they are planning any further renovations or building works while your event is taking place. Many a conference has been ruined by the sound of builders working next door!

• Set up: when can you get in on the first day of the event, or even the previous evening? Some venues (not hotels generally) may have restricted times when you can set up.

The bedrooms:

• Ask to see their best and worst bedrooms. Ascertain when the bedrooms were last updated and if only some of the rooms have been renovated, make sure your guests get the new rooms.

• Do they have minibars? These can be the source of a lot of grief at check-out, when someone has been charged £5 for a bottle of Coke and they were expecting you to pay for it. If in doubt, have them emptied.

• If you want to do a room drop to each guest, can they do this and at what cost?

Food:

• Sample the food if you can (try and have a viewing at lunchtime when another event is running) and have a look round the kitchens to make sure they are of a standard you would expect. If one thing can ruin an event it is bad food.

• Check on how they deal with any special dietary requests and how much notice they need to process them. There are, for example, several types of kosher meals, which at the most extreme mean that they cannot even be handled by some hotel kitchen sta . How would they deal with that?

• If you have a large number of attendees, how will the venue handle 200 people turning up for the bu et lunch at one time?

Also:

• How do they handle packages, equipment, or materials that may be sent by you – or attendees – in advance of the event? If ever the term ‘black hole’ was appropriate it is that room in a

hotel where such items are deposited, never to be found again. And ascertain the cost – many hotels now charge for storing these.

• Ask about the availability of wifi. Amazingly, many hotels won’t make this available in the meeting areas unless you pay for it – and it can be expensive.

• Whatever you do when you visit the chosen hotel, take along anyone else in the decision-making process. Arriving at the hotel the day before the event with someone who has not been included in the discussions beforehand (maybe your boss) can lead to many last-minute amendments and changes to the itinerary. This can not only a ect the smooth running of your event, but can also make the final invoice a lot higher. Finally, in my experience I would rather be in a smaller venue where my event was the largest, than a minor event in an enormous venue where you are just one of 50 meetings taking place that day. You receive a more personal service and your business is that much more appreciated.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH FOOD

Corporate team building with a twist

At Venturi’s Table Cookery School, we don’t need to impose team building… it just happens. Departmental divides are crossed with conversations about making the tastiest curry pastes and senior managers prepare homemade tagliatelle alongside junior colleagues. The powers of making pasta and profiteroles are stronger than you might think!

O ering a wide range of group cookery classes including Middle Eastern, Masterchef Mystery Box Challenges, Thai and Italian which are often paired with Cocktail Challenges or Wine Tasting, we can help you put together the perfect away day for your team.

Think of it not as a strict cookery class, rather as a fun time away from the o ce where you can be creative in the kitchen with a glass of wine in hand, without the tedious menu planning, shopping and washing up!

Our two beautiful kitchens can accommodate groups numbers from 7-70 for fun, hands-on cookery, and at the end of the cooking everyone sits down around the kitchen island together to enjoy the delicious food they have made.

We are always flexible to fit with your needs. Di erent levels of culinary skills are accounted for, with seasoned cooks exposed to trade secrets and beginners able to get stuck in. Menus are designed for each group allowing for food sensitivities and a competitive edge can be added for adrenalin-driven teams.

Venturi’s Table has worked with some of the top names in international business for over 12 years and o ers a tried and tested way for professionals to strengthen their working relationships. We are repeatedly told by our clients that the experience of cooking and sharing delicious food together in our beautiful

kitchens really has helped bring their teams closer together.

At just a 13-minute train journey from Waterloo, and a 2-minute walk from Wandsworth Town, we are easily accessible from all parts of London. Our kitchens can also be hired as creative meeting spaces ahead of our classes.

CONTACT DETAILS:

For a bespoke quotation, please contact;

Bella Blackett Sales Director

Venturi’s Table Cookery School, 6 Morie Street, London SW18 1SL

T: 020 8875 7488

E: bella@venturistable.com www.venturistable.com

Go green for good

We are all busy in our day jobs and thinking about being sustainable in the workplace isn’t really at the forefront of our minds. With recycling bins scattered round the o ce and motion sensor lights installed you probably feel like you’ve done enough, but there are many more things you can do to make a di erence, reduce the amount of energy used and save money.

Here are some tips and easy wins to get you started.

1. Power saver options – There are a couple of devices you can check power saver options on, including printers, photocopiers and computers. Your printer/photocopier probably stays on 24/7 and you haven’t even realised. When you walk away from your desk you probably lock your computer, but how long is it on before it goes into sleep mode? Check power saver options on devices and ensure they go to sleep after a short period of time when not in use.

2. Double-sided printing and hold print – ‘Think before you print’ may have been on your email signature for some time now, but let’s face it – if people want to print something they will. To reduce the amount of paper that is wasted, set everyone’s default to print double sided. You can also set everyone up on ‘hold print’; this means that the document won’t print until a button on the printer is pressed. I’m sure we’ve all pressed print and forgotten to collect the document from the printer or realised after we’ve hit the button that there’s a spelling mistake. ‘Hold print’ solves both these issues, therefore reducing the amount of wasted paper and toner ink.

3. Shut down – Have you ever walked round the o ce when everyone has gone home? If you have you’ve probably noticed

Sustainability is a hot topic for today’s businesses, with governments all over the world putting strict guidelines into place. Chelsea Langston-Lloyd explains how PAs and o ce managers can go green with some simple changes

that the TV is playing to itself, equipment is on standby and lights in the meeting rooms are left on. Encourage everyone to turn o lights and appliances at the end of the day. You can also create and implement a holiday shut-down policy for any long periods of time that the o ce is unoccupied, such as bank holidays or the Christmas break. Make someone responsible for checking appliances are o and unplugged, lights are o and computers are shut down. Communicate what you are doing to your cleaners so they don’t come into the o ce at the end of the day and turn everything back on.

4. Video conferencing – You don’t have to be in the same room to collaborate anymore. There are many di erent video conferencing options out there to reduce the amount of travelling required and time wasted, and this will reduce your carbon footprint by saving the journey. Go To Meeting and WebEx are just two examples.

5. Plants – Why not get some desk plants or put some greenery in the kitchen or meeting rooms? They reduce CO2, dust and stress, and increase productivity and wellness. Some recommended plants for o ce environments are aloe, spider plants, cacti, rubber plants, peace lilies and snake plants.

Just by taking some time to step back and think, you can probably come up with several ideas to implement. Do you use disposable cutlery or individually packaged sugar sachets? Do you use eco-friendly and fair trade products? Are your caterers sustainable? Can you promote and support world sustainable/environmental days in the o ce to encourage everyone to think about their impact on the environment? Why do you do things the way you do and is there a more sustainable of doing it?

“Everybody enjoyed the event and the venue did us proud - your staff were excellent and I will gladly recommend your venue.” PA, Deloitte

“We all had a great night! We had lots of comments on how good the food was! Thank you to you and your team.” PA, Siemens

Contact 0161 836 4032 | conferencesnorth@iwm.org.uk www.iwm.org.uk | Search - IWM North Venue Hire The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester M17 1TZ

Connecting business across the UK

Innovative and Dynamic

The Main Exhibition Space is one of Manchester’s most impressive settings for evening conference dinners, gala dinners, awards ceremonies, summer parties, Christmas parties and receptions.

360 degree HD digital projection system

Technical experts will work with you to help create your own digital wallpaper with 360 degree HD technology that allows you to create a completely unique backdrop and setting.

Outside space

IWM North boasts a beautiful quay side offering views of MediaCityUK and The Quays, ideal for summer cocktail receptions.

Location

IWM North is situated on The Quays at the cultural heart of MediaCityUK, the home of BBC North and ITV and next door to the Coronation Street Studios.

IWM North is only an 8 minute taxi ride from the city centre and opposite the MediaCityUK tram stop, which runs from Piccadilly station.

Complimentary onsite parking (160 spaces onsite) and close public transport links enable guests to reach us with ease.

New daytime and evening event space New WaterShard event space opening in May 2017. The WaterShard is a new 250 SQM dynamic, modern and contemporary space offering stunning views of MediaCityUK and The Quays.

Arriva UK Trains’ network reaches far and wide; CrossCountry, Chiltern Railways, Grand Central, Arriva Trains Wales and Northern operate a range of services, from rural commuter lines to long distance and inter-urban journeys. Arriva UK Trains connects the three countries of Great Britain and collectively runs 4,186 services each weekday.

Connecting people and communities to what’s important to them.

We will always go the extra mile for our customers.

Delivering great service, on great journeys across Great Britain.

We provide great value and enjoyable journeys that help remove the limits on where businesses can go.

We are passionate about making sure that your journey with us is a great experience.

Explore ways to make your business rail travel more effective –connect with us at: arriva.co.uk/uk-trains

Work out at work

O ce workers’ sedentary lifestyle poses a risk to their health, says Peter Haling from

The Health Quest. Here are his tips for busy PAs to sneak in a bit of exercise at their desk

Anyone who’s ever had back pain will know just how debilitating it can be. According to the UK Statistics Authority (2015), 10 million work days and £1billion of revenue are lost annually to back aches, twinges and sharp pains. With so many of us a ected, back health and posture awareness needs to be part of the workplace agenda. As a personal trainer who’s qualified in C.H.E.K Scientific Back Training, one of the most common causes of trouble that I see time and time again is bad posture caused by sitting at a desk all day.

Modern lifestyles and long working hours force us to stay seated, increasing the pressure in discs in the spine by 40%. Staring down at a laptop while sitting will have a detrimental and long-term e ect on the health of your back, causing pain, spasm and worse.

Over the last few years, I’ve worked with PAs of all ages who need help with back pain and reassessing their posture. I’ve seen young women who first experience issues on returning to work after maternity leave; the combination of carrying children, balancing heavy shoulder bags and sitting on unsupportive o ce chairs is a menacing mix that can start to formulate during pregnancy, playing havoc with skeletal structures.

One working mum who noticed the tell-tale twinges after the birth of her son was company director Laura Caudery. Her case was text book – chronic neck and shoulder pain caused by working on a computer where the head moves forward of the chest placing a lot of stress on the cervical (neck) and thoracic (upper back) vertebrae. She also showed signs of a ‘flat back’, a common complaint of many o ce works caused by long periods sitting, which often leads to a disc bulge and sciatic pain down the leg, foot, or feet.

Working with Laura led me to devise some simple but hugely beneficial exercises that o ce workers could perform easily from their desk during the day.

Deskercise will improve posture, prevent future pain and injury, and even tone the glutes without having to hit the gym in your lunch break. The beauty being that once you’ve mastered the moves, you can integrate it seamlessly into your day, without breaking a sweat.

Laura’s rehabilitation has been so successful that she has implemented a desk analysis scheme at her business centre, Fetcham Park in Surrey. But of course not all companies and organisations have posture awareness schemes in place. If you’re concerned about back pain or bad posture, try this simple deskercise. External shoulder rotations using resistance band to prevent RSI

This exercise reminds you to sit in a nice, upright position with a neutral spine. Moving the hands outwards makes the shoulders rotate externally.

• Start with your elbows bent at 90 degrees, holding the band.

• Push your elbows against your body and don’t allow them to move. Now lift the crown of your head towards the ceiling to be as tall as you possibly can, lift your chest up, pull your shoulders back and gently draw your belly button in.

• While holding onto the band, slowly move your hands outwards and away from each other, keeping that 90-degree bend. Repeat 15-20 times for three rounds during your day.

Peter’s Deskercise routines and more information about back health and posture awareness are available at thehealthquest.co.uk/deskercise

Craig Harris knows first-hand what it’s like to be told he didn’t have the right experience for a job. Here he discusses how he overcame adversity to land his dream role

“Success is what happens after you stop making excuses.”

How true is this? Sometimes it’s easy to find the excuse for why we haven’t progressed in our career or why we’re not achieving all we set out to. “I’ll do it tomorrow” or “I didn’t have the time” are some great examples which are fuelled by fear and self-doubt. The truth is if you want something, you have to go get it. It’s your life and only you can change it.

I wanted to share the story of how I landed my first directorlevel EA job. Having worked as a PA/team administrator supporting a team of senior managers for two years, I knew that I loved the profession and wanted to progress. Of course I was stopped by the same negative thoughts we all have, such as “do I have enough experience?” and “am I qualified enough?” but decided to try anyway.

I saw a job advertised to support the director of a national charity that was close to my heart and a great opportunity. Yes, I didn’t have all the experience they were looking for, but I knew that I could do the job, so I applied.

The agency that was advertising the role contacted me and asked me to come in to their o ce. They told me that

it was unlikely I would get the role, as I had nowhere near the level of experience they were looking for, but they had other roles that would be more suited to my skills. My initial reaction was one of insecurity and embarrassment, but I also saw it as a challenge. So I told the recruitment consultant that I wasn’t taking no for an answer and demanded that they get me an interview. I knew once I met the director in person that I could prove I could do the job.

After a lot of back and forth between us, the agency hesitantly agreed to contact the director to explain my proposition. To my (and the consultant’s) surprise they agreed to the interview.

I attended and got the job, and as the saying goes the rest is history. The director in question is still a friend of mine and has told this story many times. She says that even though I didn’t have as much experience as the other candidates, by demanding the interview I showed courage, determination, ambition and drive, and this is why she gave me the job. I showed that I wanted to succeed and that I was doing all I could to do so.

My closing point is this – never be told that you can’t do something and never make excuses. If you want it enough, you can achieve anything.

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