Business support awards to go online

PA Forum announces virtual awards ceremony to celebrate West Midlands talent.

Birmingham-based networking group PA Forum has announced plans for a virtual ceremony to celebrate the winners of its sought-after West Midlands PA Awards, recognising the region’s business support community.

The awards will be live streamed from 7pm on 25th November and are backed by headline sponsors Katie Bard and Conference Care.

Finalists include executive, personal and virtual assistants from the likes of PwC, Aldi, Aston University and University of Birmingham, all of whom are hoping to receive one of the city’s most esteemed accolades.

Now in their third year, the West Midlands PA Awards were launched by PA Forum founder, Daniel Skermer, to celebrate the successes and achievements of EAs, PAs and VAs across the region. The 2018 and 2019 awards attracted over 700 guests, with 60 finalists chosen and 15 people named winners.

The awards have been widely supported this year by industry leaders such as Lucy Brazier, CEO of Marcham Publishing and publisher of Executive Secretary Magazine, and Victoria Wratten, founder of Executive and Personal Assistants Association.

The virtual ceremony will have a Great Gatsby theme and will be an opportunity for the Birmingham PA industry to come together and celebrate work and achievements from the past year.

Daniel Skermer, founder of PA Forum, said: “The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been hard-felt across virtually every sector, and we decided it was incredibly important to move forward and continue to celebrate the outstanding talent and achievements of the West Midlands PA community.

“We hope the virtual awards ceremony will give the local business support community a much needed boost and recognition of their outstanding achievements during such a challenging time by showcasing their excellence, and we also hope to create a space that inspires the future generation of assistants.”

Lucy Brazier added: “Awards are always so motivating for anyone that takes part and not just for the winners. For PAs in particular, who are often undervalued and misunderstood by their companies, it’s an excellent opportunity to look at what they do well and to gain recognition from their companies for the critical role that they play in business.

“The standard of entries this year were exceptionally high, and it was a privilege to listen to the inspirational stories of excellence shared by the entrants. I have no doubt that those that have won will become role models for the rest of the West Midlands PA community.”

The full list of finalists for this year’s awards are available here

For more information about the West Midlands PA awards 2020, contact:[email protected]