Saluting the virtual (aviation) PA

Sam Wreglesworth

Having worked in office administration since the heady days of shoulder pads, big hair and Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer.’ it’s fascinating to reflect on how the role of “secretary” has evolved.

I started out as a receptionist/secretary in a tiny, smoke-filled solicitor’s office and moved into numerous PA roles, gleaning experience and best practice from various sectors. Today I’m a “Virtual” Executive Assistant, working from the comfort of my own home.

I specialise in aviation and I am not alone. There are a growing number of us and we are all busy. Contracting a freelance Executive Assistant is a win, win for smaller companies and start-ups who can call on our administrative skills without the shackles of employment rules and adherence to certain regulations which, during these uncertain times, is appealing to those working in a sector decimated by COVID-19.

In our new normal, clients are typically less likely to pigeon-hole their admin resource. They need organisation in their lives. This year I have carried out a variety of tasks and projects from helping bring a new website to life, writing copy for newsletters and comms briefs, sourcing office premises, creating and maintaining company accounts, as well as all the usual skills including diary, travel management (not so much of that) and expenses handling.

I have worked in aviation since 2008 when I landed an Executive Assistant role to the CEO of Farnborough International, a dynamic aviation event organising company, whose shows include the biennial Farnborough International Airshow.

Airshows and aviation are global and intertwined. As a result I had to become a master planner of diaries and travel arrangements, working on multi time zones and becoming adept at meeting deadlines. You can’t postpone an international event because you’re not quite ready. I made some great friends and colleagues along the way, an important future criteria as a Virtual EA.

Two years into owning my own company, Sam Wreglesworth Executive Assistant Services, I have garnered a select number of aviation clients who have connected, not just because of my skill set, but because they were aware of my background. As in any industry there is a shared language of colloquialisms, abbreviations and brand names. Knowing these, along with shared contacts, provides a comforting familiarity to my busy aviation clients. I have introduced other EA’s to my clients in order to help share the workload or provide holiday cover when necessary.

This ensures we, as EA’s, have a more consistent work flow and, more importantly, the client receives an uninterrupted service. Moreover, my time poor clients can get on with the business of running their business, year round.