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- Walking
- Gardening
Alison RIDDELL
Sheffield,South Yorkshire
Summary
Results-driven Personal Assistant with significant experience supporting executives in public service and education. Skilled in managing emails, diaries, documents, meetings, and events while maintaining confidentiality. Expertise in coordinating complex schedules and travel arrangements to optimise executive time. Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite with a focus on detail and organisation.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
PA to HM Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Barnsley, South Yorkshire
12.2021 - Current
- Acted as the first point of contact for the L-L and Civic Mayor, screening calls and visitors to manage access and protect time.
- Monitored emails and correspondence, prioritising and responding on behalf of the L-L and Civic Mayor to enhance workflow efficiency.
- Managed complex diaries, scheduled meetings, and coordinated travel arrangements for the L-L and Civic Mayor to optimise their time efficiently.
- Organised and facilitated board meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and following up on action points to support decision-making processes.
- Drafted correspondence and prepared presentations for the L-L, upholding confidentiality and professionalism to support effective communication.
- Handled confidential documents with discretion, ensuring privacy and security of sensitive information for stakeholders.
- Coordinated events and conferences, from venue selection to attendee management, ensuring successful execution and positive feedback.
- Processed expense claims and managed budgets for the L-L and Cabinet Office, providing regular financial reports for transparency.
PA to Service Director
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Barnsley, South Yorkshire
03.2018 - 12.2021
- Managed complex diaries, scheduled meetings, and coordinated travel arrangements for senior executives to optimise their time efficiently.
- Monitored emails and correspondence, prioritising and responding on behalf of the executive to streamline workflow.
- Organised and facilitated board meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and following up on action points to support decision-making processes.
- Drafted correspondence and prepared presentations on behalf of executives, maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
- Facilitated effective communication between the executive and their direct reports, helping to maintain a cohesive and productive team.
- Developed and implemented filing systems, both electronic and paper-based, to improve office organisation and efficiency.
PA to Service Director/s
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
03.2008 - 03.2018
- Organised and maintained executives' diaries, ensuring efficient scheduling of appointments. and organised meetings for senior executives, improving time management and efficiency.
- Scheduled appointments and managed calendars for multiple executives, optimising their workload and commitments.
- Coordinated and booked meetings, conferences and client appointments for managers.
- Prepared and distributed meeting agendas and minutes, facilitating effective communication among team members.
- Took notes and minutes during meetings and appointments for Manager's reference and review after meetings.
- Coordinated travel arrangements, including flights and accommodations, for staff members, ensuring smooth business operations.
- Maintained digital and physical filing systems following practices for organization and information protection.
- Worked with Microsoft Word and Google Docs to complete word processing tasks.
PA to Regional Public Sector Leads
Skills for Justice
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
07.2005 - 03.2008
- Supported senior management with diary management and document preparation, optimising time for strategic decision-making.
- Facilitated communication with key stakeholders to align on project objectives, enhancing collaboration and clarity.
- Arranging and minuting complex high level committee meetings in London specifically within the Policing Sector (ACPO).
- Coordinated travel, accommodation, events and hospitality for dispersed team members, ensuring seamless logistical support.
- Streamlined email management for senior staff, categorising messages and highlighting urgent correspondence.
- Processed and raised purchase orders to ensure timely procurement of necessary supplies.
PA to the Business Development Manager
The Sheffield College
Sheffield, South
01.2001 - 07.2005
- Scheduled appointments and managed calendars for multiple executives, optimising their workload and commitments.
- Managed diary and organised meetings for senior executives, improving time management and efficiency.
- Coordinated and booked meetings, conferences and client appointments for managers.
- Handled emails and written business correspondence on behalf of senior office staff.
- Handled confidential documents with discretion, maintaining privacy and security of sensitive information.
- Took notes and minutes during meetings and appointments for Manager's reference and review after meetings.
Sales Secretary
Arco South Yorkshire
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
07.1999 - 01.2001
- Conducted telesales calls, generating interest in products and engaging potential customers
- Sales negotiating with customers
- Customer service
- Processing sales orders
- Telephone enquiries
- Prepared and processed customer invoices accurately, facilitating prompt payment and financial tracking
- Supporting account managers
- Raised purchase orders for necessary supplies
- Performed word processing tasks for documentation
Sales Secretary
Hallamshire Brewery Services
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
01.1994 - 06.1999
- Recorded and analysed sales figures to support informed decision-making.
- Designed engaging leaflets and sales brochures to enhance marketing efforts.
- Typed reports, minutes, and quotations to facilitate clear communication.
- Raising delivery notes and purchase orders
- Attended industry exhibitions to network and gather market insights.
- Operated the switchboard to manage incoming and outgoing calls efficiently.
Trainee Secretary
United Engineering Steels
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
09.1988 - 01.1994
- arranging meetings for managers and directors
- Managed typing pool operations to ensure timely and accurate document processing.
- Typing and word processing in Word
- recording incoming and outgoing post
- Processed invoices to ensure prompt payment and accurate financial records.
- reconciling statements
- Maintained purchase ledger to provide clear visibility of all incoming and outgoing transactions.
- replying to final demands
Education
Other - Microsoft Project Level 1
Sheffield College
Sheffield01-2015
ILM Level 2 - Team Leading
Sheffield College
Sheffield01-2012
Other - PA Learning & Development Soft Skills Programme
Sheffield College
Sheffield01-2011
NVQ Level 3 - Business and Administration
Sheffield College
Sheffield01-2007
BTEC - Business and Finance
Sheffield College
Sheffield01-1989
RSA 2 - Typing, Word Processing
Sheffield College
Sheffield01-1989
GCSEs - Maths, English, English Literature, History, Biology, IT, Geography, Art
Ecclesfield Comprehensive School
Sheffield, SHF01-1988
Skills
- Diary management
- Email management
- Meeting coordination
- Travel coordination
- Event planning
- Document preparation
- Presentation preparation
- Action point tracking
- Budget oversight
- Office organisation
- Confidential document handling
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Executive support
Interests
Timeline
PA to HM Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
12.2021 - Current
PA to Service Director
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
03.2018 - 12.2021
PA to Service Director/s
Sheffield City Council
03.2008 - 03.2018
PA to Regional Public Sector Leads
Skills for Justice
07.2005 - 03.2008
PA to the Business Development Manager
The Sheffield College
01.2001 - 07.2005
Sales Secretary
Arco South Yorkshire
07.1999 - 01.2001
Sales Secretary
Hallamshire Brewery Services
01.1994 - 06.1999
Trainee Secretary
United Engineering Steels
09.1988 - 01.1994
Other - Microsoft Project Level 1
Sheffield College
ILM Level 2 - Team Leading
Sheffield College
Other - PA Learning & Development Soft Skills Programme
Sheffield College
NVQ Level 3 - Business and Administration
Sheffield College
BTEC - Business and Finance
Sheffield College
RSA 2 - Typing, Word Processing
Sheffield College
GCSEs - Maths, English, English Literature, History, Biology, IT, Geography, Art
Ecclesfield Comprehensive School