SOPHIE ELIZABETH BURSTON
Colliers Wood
Summary
I am a dedicated and highly organised professional with a strong eye for detail and proven expertise in diary management, travel coordination, and financial processing. I bring excellent communication skills and thrive both independently and as part of a team. With a track record of leading and managing projects while upholding strict confidentiality, I'm adept at prioritising tasks, solving problems, and performing under pressure to deliver outstanding results. I'm proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with a particular focus on preparing and delivering impactful presentations. I'm committed to streamlining operations and continuously seeking opportunities to grow and contribute at a higher level.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Executive Assistant - 2 Partners
Oury Clark Solicitors & Accountants - Chancery Lane
03.2024 - 12.2025
- Coordinated complex international calendar/ outlook management across multiple time zones for Partners, including scheduling calls and in person meetings.
- Delivered end-to-end management of business travel for Partners, using both in house booking system, as well as providing full itineraries, with background research on potential new clients/ leads.
- Putting together Accounting packs and sending to clients for Adobe signing, following up and maintaining accuracy and consistency at each stage of accounts before filing at Companies House.
- Managed WIP lists and billing for Partners, liaising with billing team and monitoring time and costs against estimates.
- Served as first point of contact on behalf of Partners, taking calls, emails, correspondence, and meeting requests (internal and external), and responding where appropriate to any queries.
- Supporting Partners with expense claims after international trips and client dinners/ meetings.
Executive Assistant - 3 Directors
The Natural History Museum - South Kensington
One Year Maternity Cover
02.2023 - 03.2024
- Extensive outlook diary management for Directors.
- Arrange Travel & Accommodation on a monthly basis. Putting together agendas and itineraries for each trip.
- Scheduling meetings both internally and with external stakeholders including Government bodies.
- Having briefing notes/ packs put together for meetings and visits within Museum.
- Reconciling expenses every month for all 3 Directors, raising purchase invoices and managing different budgets.
- Schedule 1:1's for teams and manage training needs.
Office Manager
Curzon Green Solicitors - Monument
03.2022 - 02.2023
- Supporting Partners in Litigation and Employment teams for all administrative needs. Being the go-to person to manage incoming calls, emails, correspondence, and meeting requests.
- Ensuring Partners time recording was completed for each matter accurately.
- Completing extensive dictations on matters, attendance notes, telephone notes and minutes ensuring all documentation was accurately maintained and stored in compliance with the Firm's electronic and physical filing procedures.
- Ensured accurate file setup with correct rates, discounts, and billing details, including collection of money on account or exemption processing, while managing unpaid bills and working closely with Credit Control to resolve issues.
- Proofreading documents and putting together bundles for courts, in correct formats.
Personal Assistant to Member of Parliament
Houses Of Parliament - Westminster
09.2020 - 03.2022
- Effectively managing extremely busy diary including organising time in chamber, meetings, virtual meetings, dinners, and travel arrangements.
- Producing agendas and minutes.
- Heavy inbox management including receiving extremely sensitive information direct from constituents and Ministers. Acting as gatekeeper as well as screening phone calls.
- Submitting expenses, claims and reconciling payment card.
Course Supervisor – over 200 students
Pitman Training - Holborn
05.2018 - 02.2020
- Confident acting without instruction, using initiative with other Members, colleagues and organisations.
- Provide full secretarial support to the sales department.
- Effectively prepared reports, letters, and emails to students/ team using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- In charge of monthly/ 3 monthly/ 6 monthly reviews to track student's progress and put study plans in place.
- Increased student completion rates by over 25% in first three months. Achieved by taking over student interaction and reviews by creating new ‘touch base’ review system.
Assistant Section Manager Operations – over 10 direct reports
Waitrose & Partners - Edgware Road
10.2013 - 08.2017
- Organised filing system to new digital and paperless filing to meet new GDPR policies.
- Co-ordinated the conference centre, which is primarily used by senior members/ Directors within Waitrose organising refreshments, meeting layouts, projector and payments.
- Reviewed and updated branch legality and compliance, ensuring paperwork and records works were completed and in date. The branch passed with excellence that year due to this.
Supermarket Assistant / Team Leader
Waitrose and Partners
London
10.2007 - 10.2013
- Collaborated with management to develop and execute initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency.
Education
Executive PA Diploma -
Pitman Training
London 09.2017 - 05.2018
Education Studies -
St Mary's University
09.2008 - 06.2011
Skills
- Approachable and reliable
- Travel arrangements
- Financial processing
- Excellent communication
- Detail orientated
- Prioritises tasks
- Minute taking
- Work under pressure
- Highly organised
- Presentation, preparation and delivery
- Work independently or collaboratively
- Experience in leading and managing
- Confidentiality
- Problem solver
- Diary management
- Microsoft Office Suite
HOBBIES AND INTEREST
Travelling - 27 Countries and counting,
History - British Monarchy, Women in History, Dark History,
Hiking
Timeline
Executive Assistant - 2 Partners
Oury Clark Solicitors & Accountants - Chancery Lane
03.2024 - 12.2025
Executive Assistant - 3 Directors
The Natural History Museum - South Kensington
02.2023 - 03.2024
Office Manager
Curzon Green Solicitors - Monument
03.2022 - 02.2023
Personal Assistant to Member of Parliament
Houses Of Parliament - Westminster
09.2020 - 03.2022
Course Supervisor – over 200 students
Pitman Training - Holborn
05.2018 - 02.2020
Executive PA Diploma -
Pitman Training
09.2017 - 05.2018
Assistant Section Manager Operations – over 10 direct reports
Waitrose & Partners - Edgware Road
10.2013 - 08.2017
Education Studies -
St Mary's University
09.2008 - 06.2011
Supermarket Assistant / Team Leader
Waitrose and Partners
10.2007 - 10.2013