The Hays PA of the Year Awards is recognised as one of the most important achievements for top PAs in the UK.  Meet the 2009 and 2010 winners in this fascinating keynote, in which they will tell you what it takes to win and how it affected their careers.

Laura Richardson 2010 winner & Anuszka Elland 2009 winner

Come and learn how easy it can be to book hotels. It is so simple that everyone will want to make their own bookings. With over 250,000 hotels worldwide, over 2 million customer reviews, over 20,000 corporate clients, HRS is one of the largest corporate hotel booking agencies in the world

Speaker Biography:

Jon spent 13 years advising over 250 corporate clients on their Internet Strategy before joining HRS.com in 2009 to run their London office. His goal is to revolutionise the Corporate Hotel Booking market with the introduction of easy to use self-service solutions, which give the booking capability to the travellers via the Internet, Mobile and Voice channels.

A lively and informative session about the most important communication skill you’ll ever use. Whereas verbal communication only provides 7% of the impact of your overall message, body language provides over 55%! Learn how to add impact to all your own communications, enhancing leadership signals and people-management techniques.

Speaker Biography:

Judi is a leading TV expert in body language, relationships, social behaviour and workplace culture.  In addition to her own 4-part body language series called Naked Celebrity, she has made regular appearances on Big Brother, The Paul O’Grady Show, The Xtra Factor, BBC News and Sky News.  She has had 22 books published, plus writes regular columns for You magazine and Heat.

This enjoyable, and highly relevant, Q&A session sees a top EA at Microsoft discuss global networking, budget management, and also how developing technical expertise in the workplace can enable growth – not only on a business and communications level but also on a personal level as well.

Speaker Biography(s):

Mike Caridia

Starting his career as a successful actor, Mike went on to spend most of his life in the motor industry, including 14 years as Head of Sales with Toyota GB. He is now chairman of pa-assist.com Limited, the UK’s No.1 website for PAs, secretaries and other professionals with a membership in excess of 7,000.

Laura Belgrado

Laura has over 17 year’s experience working in the Events and Travel industry, whilst the past 6 years have been spent in the IT industry as EA to Frank McCosker, Global Managing Director for Microsoft’s Global Strategic Accounts (GSA). She is fluent in Dutch, French, English and German, and is currently realising a long-term aspiration to learn Spanish.

Clothes don’t just cover the body – they communicate and provide a self-portrait of you. Dressing to convey confidence and credibility can help you enhance your professional image.  Michele will explore image strategies by successful business women today, and give insight into creating an image which best reflects you and your ambitions.

Speaker Biography:

Michele Ferron-Leckie, founder of the online clothing shop for stylish business clothing www.wearittowork.co.uk, is passionate about women creating an image which reflects their capabilities and professionalism. A regular speaker, and a published journalist, she also sits on the board of a chain of retail stores, as the youngest and only female member.

This session sees the UK’s lead Make-up Artist for Benefit Cosmetics, Lisa Potter-Dixon bring her years of experience to the stage. Here she will show you how looking good makes you feel good, whilst also giving you the confidence you need in the work place. With tips and tricks galore, can you afford to miss it!

Speaker Biography:

Lisa Potter-Dixon is Benefit UK’s lead beauty artist and events manager. With 10 years of experience in the industry, she has a wealth of knowledge to help take you from “Now to Wow”!

This informative interview sees Emma Kernan-Staines (FAPA DipPA), PA to Sir Trevor Brooking CBE, Director of Football Development at the Football Association, discussing the essential skills, energy and professionalism required to fulfil her high-profile role.

Speaker Biography:

Gareth is Director General of the Association of Personal Assistants (APA) and a champion for the essential role PAs play in business. He is a former RAF pilot, successful entrepreneur, innovator, business guru and Government advisor. Under his stewardship, the APA has become recognised as a leading UK, and increasingly global, professional body.

Don’t miss this motivational session from one of the most influential and inspirational women in the UK.  Passionate and straight talking, she’ll share insights into how she succeeded “in a man’s world”, why she believes women are so well equipped for challenges in the workplace, plus what it’s like to work with Sir Alan Sugar…

Speaker Biography:

Since stating her career at 23 as MD of Birmingham City Football Club, Karren has become one of the most prominent and successful business women in the UK. Winner of Business Woman of the Year 2007 and the coveted Natwest Spirit of Everywoman Award in 2008, she is also a successful author, TV personality, and newspaper columnist.

Speaker Biography:

Clair has been a Sustainable Business Advisor working with businesses to reduce their environmental impact through technology and behaviour change for over 3 years. She specialises in sustainability management, energy efficiency, and renewable energy consultancy (including London’s groundbreaking “Merton Rule”) and is also a BREEAM Assessor for Retail.