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Office with a View

Reviews

What They Say About Me

Last year, we decided to bring the function of Board administration in-house, previously outsourced to external virtual assistants. Kate, one of our first external VAs, set a high standard and became our benchmark. Our internal team needed to meet this high standard, work autonomously with flexibility, and have opportunities for skills development. I firmly believe that achieving this requires skilled and experienced external supervision, which provides a balance between supervision functions and line management. It offers a reflective space away from the office, supports professional practice and continuing professional development and enhances wellbeing, work environment, and culture. Moreover, supervision sessions free from workplace politics are essential.

The benefits of having a highly skilled and experienced external supervisor for either virtual or executive assistants are numerous. They provide unbiased, objective feedback without internal biases, and access to industry best practices. Their expertise ensures effective training in new administrative strategies, while also fostering accountability. Skilled supervisors like Kate expose assistants to a broader professional network, offer mentorship, and create a supportive environment for discussing challenges and reducing stress. They bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches, assist in resolving workplace conflicts, and enhance job satisfaction and motivation through professional growth and support. Kate has been excellent in uniting the team with empathy, guiding their development, and demonstrating that external supervision is essential for creating an autonomous, forward-thinking team.

Be the Business

Kate is a wonderful VA and has helped me no end in my work. She is responsive, organised and proactive. I would recommend her work to anyone looking to get more organised in their work!

Vanessa Short, Founder, Evolve Culture Change Ltd

I can't recommend Kate highly enough. I started working with Kate over 9 months ago and in that time she has offered invaluable support. Kate is adaptable, professional and responsive. I would not hesitate to recommend Kate to anyone looking for comprehensive PA support

Libby Jones, Chief People Officer at mydentist (UK)

Kate is fantastic to work with, always calm, friendly, and professional. She has worked as a Boards Administrator for Be the Business for several years now and we only ever receive positive feedback about her approach and organisational skills. Over the last year as we scaled our boards programme and employed some new Boards Administrators, Kate took on the role of providing external supervision for the group – sharing her knowledge and calm approach from an independent viewpoint. Kate has been fundamental in making our Boards programme a success.

Rebecca Nelson, Customer Success Lead at Be the Business

The complete PA is such a great service, especially for those that have never had a PA before. Kate is great at helping you to learn to let go...so you can focus on your business.

Tacita Small, Founder & MD of The Small HR Company

Kate really is a superstar. I first met her when she was working for Be the Business in a more traditional Virtual PA role, and so when we needed some support to get a new programme idea up and running, we called on her. She's been brilliant at taking uncertainty in her stride, managing her responsibilities effectively, supporting a wide range of stakeholders with a huge degree of patience when things don't go exactly to plan, and just being incredibly capable. I hear nothing but good things about Kate from the board members and business leaders she supports.

Sheena McDermott, Head of Leadership and Management Programmes at Be the Business

Kate has been a great asset to our business. She is organised and efficient with a great energy. Her experience and ability means that I have the confidence in her to take on the tasks that free me up to concentrate on my priorities and give me more time with my clients. Her professional and flexible approach has significantly helped to drive the business forward and let me get on with doing what I do best. I have seen a clear increase in cash flow since engaging with her as I am no longer carrying out tasks which are not related to my skillset and are not fee earning. Within just a few weeks she has become integrated into the business and brings ideas and solutions which take her beyond the skills of any PA or office manager I have worked with.

James Brindley

Director, Design Haus Architecture

I have had the pleasure of working with Kate for almost a year now. Kate is a fantastic extension to our team. She is very professional, focused and detailed oriented, whilst being extremely personable and a great team player. If you are looking for a VA who can help you with streamlining your day-to-day deliverables in your business, or your personal life, and manage this in a professional and confidential capacity, I highly recommend Kate

Janet Milner-Walker, Founder & Director, Bespoke Advantage

Kate has worked with me providing virtual PA support for the last 6 months. She is professional, efficient, gets up to speed extremely quickly and  provides an excellent support service. Throughout her time working for me I always felt she was 100% dedicated to the role, the organisation and me. I would recommend Kate to anyone looking for support

Louise Sunderland Director of Programmes
Be the Business

Kate has been a huge help to my team, drafting correspondence efficiently and well. She's fast, accurate and articulate and has worked flexibly with my office team whenever  needed.

Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership

Kate’s Complete PA service met the precise need we had. She is providing a highly professional and responsive support to senior executives, with a fantastic attitude and energy. She is extremely organised and doesn’t miss a trick. Kate’s flexible and efficient approach means that you really get value for money - paying just for the time and support you need. Unlike with traditional employment contracts, you don’t have to spend a long time figuring out how many hours you think you’ll need. You can get started with Kate and then flex as you need to.I couldn’t be more delighted with the service she is providing. I will continue to ask her for support and recommend her to others.

Caroline Lien
Director, Lien Consulting Ltd

Kate has been a fantastic addition to our team. She's so efficient and her level of communcation and professionalism has been an enormous help to all of us at Be the Business - what did we do without her!

Gabby Fleming
Talent Consultant and Leadership Coach

Kate was efficient, organised, proactive, a pleasure to work with. During the 3 years she worked as my PA she fulfilled her role comprehensively taking control of my Diary/Agenda, Conference Management Planning, Travel Organisation, Customer Service follow up. Whilst this was the core of the role, carried out extremely effectively. Kate's real value was her ability to anticipate what was required before it was asked for and once given an objective develop and shape it beyond expectations. This made her indispensable! I am sure anyone using this service will not be disappointed!

David Barford
Freelance Business Consultant

Kate was my Personal Assistant for 18 months.  Over the years I have had a number of PAs, many extremely good but Kate was exceptional.  She has a delightful manner, everyone warms to her and she is able to deal with challenging personnel issues brilliantly well.  She is extremely organised, diligent and able to juggle more balls than you'd think possible.  She is innovative and creative and always looks to find better solutions to problems and ensure I was always on the front foot.  Immensely capable, instantly likeable and a great team member, I can't recommend her highly enough.

Helen Hyde 

Personnel Director Waitrose 2013-18 and Acting Partners' Counsellor, John Lewis Partnership 2018 onwards

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