What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career so far?
Do what makes you happy and draws the best from you. Before I worked at Portland, I did a very different job in the fashion industry for several years and I got to a point where I wasn’t happy at all. I had heard the saying ‘Do what makes you happy and draws the best from you’ from various places but it finally hit me that I needed to act on it. So I looked at what I really enjoyed doing and came across the role of receptionist at Portland and applied. I now here I am seven years later as a senior PA.
What is your favourite part about your role?
I think working across all our various teams, business functions, Partners and clients on a daily basis to make things happen. It is challenging but I find it rewarding. A big part of the role of a PA is problem solving and helping people and when you get the outcome you need to for your Partners and for Portland it’s a satisfying feeling.
What has been your favourite experience at Portland so far?
My experience at Portland has been so varied its hard to narrowed it down to just one. It can be hard work at times juggling the various roles as a Senior PA, Line manager and running the PA team but Portland has helped me progress with my career and supported me along the way. I didn’t believe when I started here as Receptionist that I would become a Senior PA.
What would you say are the key lessons we have learnt in internal communications over the last several years?
I’ve learnt that managing people’s expectations through clear communication is crucial to being successful and delivering what is required. Another key lesson is being adaptable and managing multiple lines of enquires at once effectively.
What do you do to switch off from work?
Running. It really helps me to decompress so I try to fit it in when I can. I also love a trashy TV show!