Elly Ralph
Winchester,Hampshire
Summary
Accomplished Executive Assistant with expertise in business restructuring and fundraising capabilities. Demonstrates exceptional problem-solving and communication skills, remaining calm under pressure. Proficient in public speaking, effectively conveying complex ideas to diverse audiences. Committed to leveraging these skills to drive organisational success and growth.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
EA to CEO
Post Office Insurance
2025.08 - 2026.06
- Provide Executive support to the POI Board Chair and Non-Executive Directors and the POI CEO.
- Act as right hand support to the CEO.
- Proactively manage Board and Executive complex diaries, prioritising appointments, Board and Committee meeting dates. Co-ordinate arrangements for internal meetings.
- Process Board and Executive expenses.
- Support the Board and Executive induction process.
- Support the employee onboarding and off-boarding processes, i.e. creating induction plans and ordering equipment for new starters and managing the return of equipment from leavers.
- Provide support to the POI Company Secretary as required.
- Ensure all relevant paperwork for meetings and actions are completed to time and that senior leadership members are briefed for all meetings and events. Prepare, collate and distribute meeting agendas and pre-reads.
- Attend and take accurate minutes for internal and external meetings, capturing actions and supporting the tracking of activity within the wider team. Furnish and obtain information from Senior Managers and directorates. Such as ExCo weekly meetings.
- Access and action correspondence (including email) responding directly on straightforward matters, and where appropriate forward on to appropriate person/team for actioning. Answer routine enquiries/refer questions to alternative source where appropriate and act as the filter and focal point to all internal contacts.
- Assist in maintaining the Corporate Services internal and intranet SharePoint pages.
- Organise internal business social events
PA to OD Team
Post Office Ltd
2025.01 - 2026.06
- Integral member of the Organisational Development Team in the HR function. Assisting with the implementation and reshaping of the future of Post Office Ltd (POL) whilst always maintaining strict confidentiality.
- Scheduling in multiple complex meetings with a disperse cross-section of the business.
- Responding to direct queries, distributing documents and filing maintenance, planning the critical path ahead for future phases, managing urgent and BAU tasks whilst taking the lead in training and onboarding new team members.
PA to Retail Engagement Director and Network Strategy and Delivery Director
Post Office Ltd
2024.08 - 2025.01
- PA to 2 Directors within POL. Acted as gatekeeper for the Retail Engagement Director and Network Strategy and Delivery Directors. Organisation of staff events, booking travel and accommodation. Diary management for both UK and overseas based attendees. Working closely with DRs scheduling in BAU meetings, assisting with personal errands. Offering 24/7 support during highly publicised Post Office inquiry. Ensuring a seamless transition between other PAs and EAs and building a strong rapport with line managers and DRs alike.
PA to Deputy Head (Co-curricular & Operations)
Bedales Schools
2023.05 - 2024.05
- Act as both gatekeeper and conduit to the Deputy Head Operations always fielding and managing “access”. Proactively manage and deliver a broad range of professional administrative services and support to the Deputy Head Operations. Main duties included coordinating complex diary management, producing detailed reports, document proof reading, professionally screen phone calls, liaise directly with the senior management team. Develop effective and efficient administration processes and procedures, utilising technology, implementing a culture of continuous improvement. During my tenure I suggested a number of systems upgrades which were implemented and made a positive difference to the running of the school. I supported with large scale event management and oversaw domestic and international travel most notably for 60+ students and staff visiting Northern France.
Data Manager/PA
Bedales Schools
2021.09 - 2023.05
- Key member of the retention team ensuring the school maintained its position, within the UK Independent Schools sector through continuous improvement of systems, communications and reporting. Consistent checking of data integrity. Proactively troubleshoot problems in a creative and logical way. Annually review the current systems used and advise on developments such as designing a unique reporting tool for the school with the IT providers. Responsible for producing school census data. Oversee and roll out the implementation of new system features and changes across a school of over 800 students and 400 staff. Responsible for fostering good working relationships with colleagues across all 3 schools.
Ecommerce Operations Executive
FatFace Retail Ltd
2015.03 - 2021.08
- Digital management of the product lifecycle from start to end of life. Ensuring the UK and US websites maintain their market share and exceed annual budget expectations. Consistently met and exceeded seasonal launch deadlines. Running weekly reports to feedback to the Trade, Design Buying & Marketing and Senior Leadership teams. Working with the Brand & Marketing teams to ensure the critical path for product images is met and images are delivered to the correct standards. Working with the Web Operations Manager to implement/test new systems and initiatives across the Fatface.com websites. During my time with FatFace I assisted in the launch of the US website and presented weekly trade reports to the board.
Online Assistant Trading Manager
Superdry PLC
2014.07 - 2014.10
Ecommerce Promotions Executive
Future Publishing
2013.06 - 2014.06
Online Project Coordinator
Debenhams Retail PLC
2011.07 - 2013.01
Online Category Assistant
WHSmith
2010.07 - 2011.07
Marketing Assistant
Handicare UK Ltd
2010.02 - 2010.07
Assistant Store Manager
Joules Clothing Ltd
2009.09 - 2010.02
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History
Bath Spa University
Bath 2005.09 - 2008.07
Skills
- Business restructuring
- Fundraising capabilities
- Calm under pressure
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills
- Public speaking
Affiliations
- Horse riding. Cars. Cooking.
Certification
Advanced Level Excel course
Timeline
EA to CEO
Post Office Insurance
2025.08 - 2026.06
PA to OD Team
Post Office Ltd
2025.01 - 2026.06
PA to Retail Engagement Director and Network Strategy and Delivery Director
Post Office Ltd
2024.08 - 2025.01
PA to Deputy Head (Co-curricular & Operations)
Bedales Schools
2023.05 - 2024.05
Data Manager/PA
Bedales Schools
2021.09 - 2023.05
Ecommerce Operations Executive
FatFace Retail Ltd
2015.03 - 2021.08
Online Assistant Trading Manager
Superdry PLC
2014.07 - 2014.10
Ecommerce Promotions Executive
Future Publishing
2013.06 - 2014.06
Online Project Coordinator
Debenhams Retail PLC
2011.07 - 2013.01
Online Category Assistant
WHSmith
2010.07 - 2011.07
Marketing Assistant
Handicare UK Ltd
2010.02 - 2010.07
Assistant Store Manager
Joules Clothing Ltd
2009.09 - 2010.02
Bachelor of Arts - History
Bath Spa University
2005.09 - 2008.07