The PA Forum Podcast
Find out more about our fabulous members…..
We are so proud of the community that we have built up here at The PA Forum and YOU, our fabulous members are what makes it so unique. This is why we created The PA Forum Podcast – Stories Beyond The Desk, our podcast series that gives us a peek into the lives, the stories and the people behind the PA Forum members you might have met or seen at our events. Hosted by Daniel, we have featured a broad variety of our members from business owners to PAs and VAs who’ve all got some great stories from their career history that gives you an insight into how they ended up in the position they find themselves today. So take some time to watch some of our wonderful members in the podcasts that we have already recorded and keep checking back for new episodes every month. You can also sign up to our YouTube channel so that you’ll get a notification every time a new episode lands.
Watch all of our podcast episodes here…….
Season 2
Episode 7 – PA Forum Podcast, Stories Beyond The Desk with Saj Parmar
One of the few male PAs in the PA Forum, Saj’s story spans across different coutries and languages!
About Saj
Versatile and proactive professional with a strong background in healthcare administration, clinical support, customer services and marketing. I take pride in maintaining a smart appearance and a polite manner at all times. Experienced in managing executive-level tasks, compliance, and patient care with precision and professionalism. Known for exceeding expectations, upholding high standards, and contributing positively to team and organisational goals.
Episode 5 – PA Forum Podcast, Stories Beyond The Desk with Helen Martin
A dream job working with The FA and running her own VA business, hear Helen’s story
About Helen
HELEN – As the owner of Aggrandise VA, with over 20 years’ experience as a PA /Office Manager, I’m an Administration Expert! I’m passionate about supporting Business Owners, Sole Traders and Entrepreneurs with all their administration needs and that led to Aggrandise VA being awarded Independent Virtual Assistant of the Year 2019. My goal is to enhance your business and life by providing first class virtual administrative support tailored to your needs.
ABOUT US – Aggrandise means to ‘make great, enhance power reputation or wealth’ and at Aggrandise VA it is our mission to ‘aggrandise’ as many businesses as we can, by offering vital admin support! We want to offer support that is going to allow you to focus on the core of your business without distractions and in doing so help your business to develop.
We help clients that are regularly working long hours
We help clients that are losing customers because they struggle to find time respond to emails
We help clients that are spending too much time on lower value tasks
We help clients that want to organise meetings, travel or events and don’t know where to start!
We help clients who know the words they want to say but have no presentation to share them with an audience
We help clients that love data, but need it organising and making reader friendly
WHY AGGRANDISE VA – We have established an excellent reputation for providing professional, friendly and cost-effective support. We get to know each client and their business and understand their individual needs, sometimes even before they know what they want! We offer a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills within admin and we offer flexibility in how you work with us, ensuring you are always in charge of the budget.
CONTACT US – We offer a FREE 30 minute consultation to anyone that is interested in how an award winning Virtual Assistant could help support their business. To find out more contact info@aggrandiseva,com or 01785 337810
Episode 6 – PA Forum Podcast, Stories Beyond The Desk with Lucy Nicholls
Find out about the glamorous and varied world of Lucy from PS Events Group
About Lucy
Visionary CEO and Creative Director of The PS Events Group, a global force in high-end experiential production and elite event consultancy. With a foundation rooted in West End Theatre, Broadway, and global television, I bring a rare fusion of commercial strategy, creative precision, and artistic flair to every project.
Over the years, I’ve led and consulted on the strategy, creative development, and delivery for some of the world’s most prestigious events. From FIFA and Santander to Hilton, Silverstone, GoDaddy, and the Commonwealth Games, my work spans ceremonies, VIP hospitality, immersive B2B and B2C brand activations, and ultra-luxury private experiences. Our work is often confidential and always word-of-mouth — a testament to the trust and discretion we command. (In 15 years of operating we have only just taken a website live and never advertised)
My philosophy is simple: understand the “why” before creating the “what.” We craft environments and narratives that don’t just impress — they connect, influence, and leave a lasting mark. I specialize in designing experiences that speak directly to the psyche of the guest, using emotion, spectacle, and intent to deliver transformational results.
The PS Events Group is supported by our two sister companies:
The Prop Store – for high-end theming, styling, and prop hire.
The Performance Specialists – our elite in-house talent agency, built from years of global connections. From Cirque du Soleil artists and West End stars to iconic keynote speakers, high profile celebrities and emerging entertainment concepts — we create and deliver what others can’t imagine.
Alongside a world-class internal team of designers, directors, producers, and technicians, I also consult for agencies and corporates globally — injecting bold creative strategy and discreet delivery into existing event frameworks or white-labelling when needed.
Every project is bespoke. Every detail is intentional. And every outcome is designed to exceed expectations.
Season 1
Episode 3 – PA Forum Podcast, Stories Beyond the Desk with Rhiannon Hopcroft
Hear about Rhiannon’s career story which has brought her to Windsor Academy Trust here in Birmingham
About Rhiannon
Executive PA to CEO at Windsor Academy Trust I Award Winner ‘Lead by Example’ 2022 – West Midlands PA Awards I Member PA Forum
Episode 1 – PA Forum Podcast, Stories Beyond the Desk with Mel Bates
Hear the stories and the journey that has led Mel to becoming the owner of her own VA business – Elite VA in our first podcast.
About Mel’s Episode
What does it really take to move from being an Executive Assistant to becoming a Virtual Assistant and ultimately building your own business?
In the first episode of Stories Beyond the Desk, Mel Bates shares her honest journey from EA to Virtual Assistant and business owner, including the decisions, challenges and moments of self-doubt that shaped each stage of her career.
Making a career transition can feel daunting. You may have the skills and experience but still question whether you are ready to take that next step, particularly when it means leaving the security of employment and creating something of your own.
Mel talks openly about her experiences of working in challenging environments, rebuilding her confidence and recognising that the skills she had developed as an EA had far more value than she perhaps realised.
Her transition into the world of Virtual Assistance opened up new opportunities, but it also brought a whole new set of challenges. From finding the right clients and trusting her instincts to understanding the importance of values, boundaries and building relationships, Mel shares what she has learned along the way.
This conversation explores what changes when you stop simply delivering a service and start thinking about the business you want to build, the clients you want to work with and the life you want your business to support.
By watching this episode, you will discover how to:
- Recognise the transferable skills you already have as an EA and how they can support your transition into Virtual Assistance
- Build confidence when moving from employment into self-employment
- Know when it might be the right time to make a career change
- Recognise red flags when choosing employers, clients and business relationships
- Set boundaries and protect your wellbeing as a Virtual Assistant and business owner
- Choose clients based on values, relationships and the type of business you want to build
- Understand the difference between being a VA and thinking like a business owner
- Build a business around your life rather than building your life around your business
- Use networking, awards and visibility to grow your profile and create opportunities
- Find community and collaboration rather than feeling that you have to build your business alone
Mel’s story is a powerful reminder that career transitions do not have to mean starting again. The skills, experience and knowledge you have built in one role can become the foundations for something completely different.
Mel’s journey shows what can happen when you recognise your own capabilities, trust your instincts and have the courage to take the next step.
Whether you are an EA considering becoming a VA, an established Virtual Assistant thinking about your next stage of growth or someone who dreams of building their own business, this episode offers honest insight, practical lessons and plenty to think about.
Episode 4 – PA Forum Podcast, Stories Beyond the Desk with Fiona Boyd
Fiona’s career has taken her to become Director of Operations, find out how in episode 4 of our podcast series
About Fiona’s Episode
The EA role continues to evolve, job titles, overall roles and responsibilities across the profession are changing…
In this episode of Stories Beyond the Desk, Fiona Boyd shares how she progressed from Executive Assistant to Director of Operations at JW. Hinks, building her career without the need of a university degree all with enormous grit, determination and an incredible passion.
This is a conversation about career progression, building confidence, recognition of continued professional development and understanding the value of your own skillset and qualities.
Fiona talks openly about moments of doubt, decisions she made that furthered her career and how she learned to step outside the traditional administrative responsibilities and step into influence operations, culture, compliance, HR and organisational development.
By listening to this session you will discover how to:
- Recognise the transferable skills that can take you beyond your current role
- Build confidence by asking questions, seeking opportunities, putting yourself forward and saying YES
- Utilise networking, learning and board experiences to strengthen your strategic thinking
- Take control and reshape your role without waiting for someone else to define your progression
- Move from being the person who gets things done to someone who influences how an organisation operates
- Know when it is time to let go, trust your team and step into leadership
- Find the right community and support when you are navigating your next career move
Fiona’s story is a powerful reminder that career progression does not always follow a traditional path. Sometimes it comes from curiosity, courage, transferable skills and being willing to put your hand up.
And, as Fiona shares, having a community around you can make all the difference.
Whether you’re a PA, EA, VA, Office Manager or Business Support professional working at any stage of your career, this episode will encourage you to really think about and appreciate your capabilities, consider where your skills could take you and what might be possible for you in the next stage of your journey.
Episode 2 – PA Forum Podcast, Stories Beyond the Desk with Molly Looney
From the UK to New York and back again, find out about Molly’s journey to San Carlo Group
About Molly
A dedicated and focused individual, who is highly organised and detail orientated, with several years experience providing thorough and skilful administrative support to a broad spectrum of businesses and individuals.