The first annual Manchester PA of the Year Awards attracted over 250 attendees at Manchester’s Imperial War Museum last week.
The awards, organised by executive partners’ Robert Walters and the Manchester PA Network, aim to celebrate the vital work done by secretarial and support personnel that have seen the North West enjoy a year of strong economic growth, taking on an increasingly prominent role in the UK business landscape.
Debbie Grimshaw of Brother UK won the top award, presented to her in recognition of her tireless attention to detail and enthusiasm over 26 years with the company.
Additional accolades were awarded for the 2015 Manchester PA Network Ambassador, Lifetime Achievement, Above & Beyond, Star of the Future, Best Event Organised by a PA, Best Business Initiative, Line Manager of the Year and the Robert Walters Excellence Award.
Gillian Owen, Manager – Secretarial and Support Recruitment, Robert Walters, comments;
“We’re immensely proud to work with the Manchester PA Network to create the Manchester PA of the Year Awards. We know the impact secretarial and support staff have had on driving business growth in the region, and we’re delighted to have the chance to celebrate their contributions.”
“Over the past year we have seen Manchester take on an increasingly prominent role in the UK’s economic recovery, and the role of that support staff have played in this recovery should not be underestimated.”
The awards attracted support from a wide range of high-profile businesses in the North West with ITV, PWC, Review Traveland PZ Cussons all sponsoring individual awards. Make Events was the evening’s key sponsor.
Melanie Sheehy and Amanda Barlow, Co-founders, Manchester PA Network, comment;
“We started out four years ago with our launch of 50 PA’s and now here we are with over 500 members on our network and having just hosted the inaugural Manchester PA of the Year Awards. This has been an aspiration of ours for a long time and with the valued partnership of Robert Walters this is the start of years to come.”
“The support and atmosphere in the room for the PAs was overwhelming and to finally be able to recognise the hard work we as PAs do is such an achievement. We believe the success of last night’s event will encourage more companies to recognise the work support teams provide.”
