More than 150 of London’s top PAs celebrated in style on November 8 at the Mayfair PA of the Year Awards 2011, organised by mayfairpa.com.
Celebrating talent, dedication, drive and tireless enthusiasm, the awards attracted entries from office managers, PAs and personal secretaries across the capital.
The elegant, five-star May Fair Hotel, close to Berkley Square, was transformed into a glamorous 1930s-style club. London’s leading PAs enjoyed the sultry tones of rising star, Jessica Sweetman, who performed a medley of blues and jazz songs, while champagne was served courtesy of the Wine Shop at Harrods and watermelon vodka cocktails were shaken and stirred by Babicka mixologists.
After a careful selection process, a trio of experienced judges including Erik Brown (publisher and editorial director of Mayfair Times), Tracy Finn (head of Harrods Corporate Service), and Donna Coulling (PA to Helena Bonham Carter, Sir Derek Jacobi and Rachel Weisz) selected the following winners in each of the four categories:
• Newcomer of the Year - Samantha Herridge, PA to the Director of Strategy and Development at Elexon
• Office Manager or Team Administrator of the Year - Laura Nutt, Communications Team Assistant at ArcelorMittal
• The Loyalty Award - Nadia Head, PA to Director of Counter Terrorism and Specialist Crime
• PA to a private individual, family or business - Susan Payton, personal PA to Chris Tarrant
Samantha Herridge won the overall award of Mayfair PA of the Year, winning a £1,000 gift card, courtesy of Harrods Corporate Service.
A special award, sponsored by Mayfair Times, was created for Victoria Darragh, Executive Assistant to Group HR Director at Hays PLC, who received an exceptional number of nominations. Darragh took home the Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profession, along with a very special prize of a Michelin-starred dinner for four at St James’ Hotel & Club’s lauded Seven Park Place restaurant.
Erik Brown, founder of mayfairpa.com, said:
“This was the first Mayfair PA of the Year Awards ceremony, and it was just brilliant. We set Twitter on fire the following day as PAs from across the capital chatted about how wonderful the evening was. And we’ve already got funding for next year.”
After the awards ceremony, the PAs hit the dance floor as Strictly Come Dancing singing sensation Lance Ellington and his seven-piece band performed an energetic mix of jazz, soul and Latin tunes.
Guests departed with a goody bag full of treats, generously provided by sponsors - Harrods Corporate Service, Grosvenor, The Appointment Group, May Fair Hotel, The Playboy Club and Miss Jones - including Vera Wang perfume, Harrods chocolates, Bliss Spa beauty products and leather Oyster card holders.
For the full list of winners and prizes, click here.
For pictures from the Mayfair PA of the Year Awards 2011, see gallery 1, gallery 2 and gallery 3.
