Meet the recruiter who can identify unique and talented PAs whose mission it is to guard privacy with their life.
Psst! Can you keep a secret? As a private PA, it is a non-negotiable quality that you must possess. A quality which may seem obvious but without this, can lead to breaches, often meaning instant dismissal.
Lily, whose business has scooped several awards, recently recruited a private PA for a celebrated British artist and stresses that discretion is one of the most important aspects of the job – and for good reason. She says:
“Private PAs often know more about a person, their company, their business and their life than any other employee. Perhaps even more than their partners and that’s a huge responsibility to take on, which is why our candidates are heavily vetted.”
Lily Shippen also recently placed a PA with a pair of famous authors and is noticing a rise in demand for the ultra-discreet employee.
“In Cheshire and London, in particular, top CEOs, celebrities and VIPs are dependent on a PA they can trust implicitly,” says Lily. “Usually, the staff member is required to sign a non-disclosure agreement and there’s often travel involved. It’s fantastic work for the right person.”
PAs don’t need any specific qualifications, but are required to be flexible, hard-working and incredibly organised at all times.
Wilmslow-based Gillian Aitken is private PA to renowned oncologist Professor Pat Price and her family. She is responsible for all of the professor’s needs, from completing tax returns and checking her bank balance, to finding a reliable tradesman to maintain the upkeep of the house.
“My employer is so busy that she doesn’t really have time for the day-to-day things, so multi-tasking is an essential requirement,” says Gillian. “I work under pressure and pride myself on accuracy. For that reason, the role has grown with me. As I’ve earned the trust of my employers, my role has grown, resulting in me having more responsibility and a higher salary.
“Discretion is a huge part of the job; I have access to private finances and emails. I know her feelings on certain subjects; I’m a confidante and an employee, and she knows I would never break that trust. I have immense work satisfaction because I can see the amazing work that she achieves and the part I have played in that by taking off pressure in other areas.”
If you're interested in employing a private PA from the UK or abroad,* or anyone seeking employment of this type, contact Lily or Emma at manchester@lilyshippen.co.uk or on 0161 711 0767. Alternatively, follow them on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.
*We offer a special guarantee to employers – if they’re not happy with an employee after six months, we will replace them free of charge.