Team

Kathy Soulsby

Founder & Chief Organiser

After a varied career (Restaurant Manager, Customer Relations, Sales and Export Sales (of shellfish to various places!) and PA and EA roles in Management Consultancies, Recruitment and Executive Coaching Businesses) I set up Personally Virtual in 2014.

I love small businesses and working in them. Being able to turn your hand to anything, being flexible and continually learning to finding better and more efficient ways to work can make such a huge difference. There is nothing like the sense of camaraderie you get in a small team, even a team of 2, getting a job done.

I really hope that you decide to have one of the team work with you. If you are in any doubt about how much difference a smart, experienced VA could make to your team then please do ask to speak to one of our existing clients and let them tell you from personal experience what impact it has made for them.

To me, getting a great job done is all about relationships, whether that is with my clients, with my client’s clients or with anyone else.

Vicki Doudelle

Team Lead

“Vicki is awesome”

Vicki is an experienced EA & VA, with over 25 years experience, including 11 years split between Towers Perrin & McKinsey & Co.

In 2013 she set up as a Virtual EA supporting small businesses, NEDs, and individuals with their diary management, inboxes, travel itineraries, and administration.

Vicki joined Personally Virtual in the summer of 2018. She is now the PV Team Lead for Q5 Partners. She works with the 12 other associate VAs, to ensure that the Leadership Team is supported professionally and efficiently.

Assisting with the recruitment of new VAs for the team, their induction, and early days with Q5, she acts as a second pair of ears within the team & Q5 to ensure everyone is kept up-to-date with the relevant information. From ensuring holiday cover is seamlessly managed and the well-being of the team is tip-top, she’s the beating heart of Team PV Q5. Vicki is a tenacious, strategic, forward-planning EA, supporting Q5’s Managing Partner & another Partner with their daily working life. Always two steps ahead and her unflappable nature for getting the information she needs out of her Execs is impressive, not only does she have the patience, but she also has an impressively personable way of getting her execs, the team and colleagues at Q5 the support they require.

Vicki is based in France, not that you’d ever know that when working with her, as she regularly visits the UK and ensures that she spends time with the Team and her execs – bringing everyone together. When she’s not working, she’s mum to 2 teens, pounds the vineyards of Southern Bordeaux to stay fit (and sane) and can often be found in the garden looking after her veggie patch. Rarely sitting still, she is also the co-founder of 2 English-speaking networking groups in Bordeaux – one connecting small business owners, and the other connecting mums with regular coffee mornings, lunches & beyond! And as an avid traveler, she’s always planning her next big adventure with the family.

Laura Green

Money Maestro

Laura is Personally Virtual’s accounts and invoice queen. She specialises in Bookkeeping & Accounts, Business Admin & Assistance, PA & Lifestyle Tasks, having worked as a Finance Manager for a variety of companies before setting up as a VA in 2021.

Helen Taylor

Operations Whisperer

Helen Taylor works behind the scenes at Personally Virtual keeping everything running smoothly and efficiently.

Helen has worked in communications and organising people for over 15 years, going virtual at the beginning of 2022.  She has worked in large corporations such as Bupa, as well as trade bodies, start ups and with charities.  

Prior to becoming a VA, Helen worked as a public affairs professional and as an English teacher in northern Spain, where she currently lives.  

Alison Shaw

Alison has been a PA / EA for 13 years.   She has worked with Wasps Rugby at the Coventry Building Society Arena. 

Her forte lies in proactive diary management, seamless scheduling, coordinating intricate business travel arrangements, and streamlining chaotic inboxes. Additionally, she excels at providing comprehensive virtual operations support for small and medium-sized enterprises. 

Prior to her journey as a virtual assistant, Alison garnered valuable experience working in elite sports organisations and corporate enterprises, including Lloydspharmacy, AAH Pharmaceuticals, and Celesio AG Group. Her collaborations with key figures within these companies enabled her to contribute significantly to numerous projects, further honing her skills. 

Former colleagues and clients alike have consistently commended Alison’s friendly yet professional demeanour, coupled with an unwavering work ethic and a positive attitude. Her ability to maintain a big-picture perspective and her unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results have proven instrumental in her ability to support her executives effectively. 

Amy Pringle

Amy has been a PA / EA for 14 years. She has worked with a wide variety of clients across multiple sectors within various industries including finance, sales, textiles, property management and executive travel. She has strong experience also in office management and customer services.  

Her current portfolio of work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating complex business travel, and streamlining chaotic inboxes, in addition to providing virtual operations management for smaller professional services firms. 

Prior to becoming a VA, Amy worked at various firms, including Raymond Ltd, Capita and EDT reporting directly to Directors and Board members. Former colleagues and clients have remarked on her aptitude for organisation and prioritisation within these roles, putting her communication skills to good use. Her natural problem-solving abilities and careful eye for detail are brought to anything she does.  

Angela Sheahan

“legend”

Angela has been a successful VA since July 2021.  She has worked with small to medium business CEO’s as their Virtual EA.

Her current portfolio of work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating complex business travel, and streamlining chaotic inboxes, in addition to providing virtual EA support for the management of smaller professional services firms including Board admin and minute taking.

Prior to becoming a VA, Angela worked at Marks & Spencer Head Office for 18 years as Executive PA to several Directors in various parts of the business, including the Food Group, International Group, Property Group and Marketing Group.  She worked alongside the Board EA’s and the Board Secretariat, planning and coordinating Plc Board meetings whilst also preparing documents for submission and distribution. In her previous career, she worked in the Food & Beverage Industry as a Front of House Restaurant Manager and as a Restaurant Launch Manager.  Former colleagues and clients have remarked on her efficiency, charm and positive energy which are instrumental to her ability to support her Executives as effectively as possible. 

Beverley Stainton

Beverley has more than 25 years’ experience in office management, c-suite and NDE support, human resource development, project management, CRM management, and event management. She has had the privilege of working with many inspiring and busy people, working in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.    

In 2019 she embarked on a new chapter as a Virtual Assistant exercising her diary management and scheduling skills, implementing digital streamlining processes, coordinating complex business travel, in addition to providing virtual operations management by liaising and coordinating between key stakeholders such as legal, finance, and communications experts.     

Beverley has always enjoyed contributing in an organised and methodical way, providing support and solutions to individuals and organisations through a lens of compliance and confidentiality.  Her commitment to delivering skilful and versatile professional service, and her unflagging efforts in “going the extra mile” have always served Beverley well in the past.     

Claire Drake

“a lovely person to work with, warm, fun, empathetic”

Claire has experience of being a personal assistant dating back to 1998. She has worked this capacity for several companies in both the public and private sectors (including Halo Health Care, Land Rover and The Optika Clulow Group)

In her roles for these companies Claire worked as office manager or personal assistant and was responsible for a range of duties for the heads of the relevant departments. In different positions these included project coordination, diary management, travel arrangement, scheduling of meetings and appointments, overseeing office operations and procedures, collating database information and developing and implementing invoice procedures. She also coordinated incentives and bonus schemes for staff, compiled training schedules and provided links between area managers and company directors.

Claire is diligent and highly conscientious and she understands her responsibilities and that her actions have consequences for her seniors. She is extremely loyal and takes pride in ensuring her work is carried out professionally and that operations run smoothly where she has been tasked to do so. She is able to prioritise effectively and use her own initiative as deadlines approach.

Fran Taylor

“To say that Fran is a delight to work with is an understatement of some magnitude”

Fran is currently working successfully as a VA, including providing PA & accounts support to a variety of clients. Prior to setting up her own VA business, Fran spent 20+ years working as Support Services Manager for a Management Consultancy practice (The Consultancy Company), managing a small team and providing/supervising all the back office, administrative & finance/bookkeeping activities.

She is a highly organised administrator with a full range of proven office management/PA skills and lots of initiative as well as being honest & trustworthy, friendly & professional and comfortable dealing with people at all levels – a real team player. She prides herself on a meticulous eye for detail and strong desire to get things right first time.

Gilly Mulford

With a wealth of experience, spanning over three decades, Gilly has supported Directors and Executives across multiple business sectors. Her work has helped them to find more time in each day, relieving some of the stress that comes from overwhelming workloads, and saving them time and money by improving efficiency.

On deciding that she, herself, would like a better lifestyle balance, Gilly launched as a VA during the summer of 2020. Her organisational and time management skills were put to the ultimate test juggling a full-time job alongside her new venture.  Once established Gilly concentrated full time on her own business and has not looked back since.  Her clients are varied; Land Management Consultancy, Keynote Speaker and Life Coach, Recruitment Consultants, and a CEO whom she is helping relocate to the UK.  

Prior to becoming a VA Gilly worked at Middleton Advisors where she supported three busy executives in their roles of advising HNWI on property purchases.  She managed their busy diaries and inboxes alongside producing reports and contracts, managing the CRM system, and delivering organisational development and leadership through training and mentoring other team members.  

Hayleigh Henry

Hayleigh has been an EA for over 20 years.   She has worked with Executives at CEO, MD and director level  

Her current portfolio of work includes extensive diary management and scheduling, coordinating business travel, email management and preparing presentations.  In addition to providing virtual support for smaller professional services firms. 

Prior to becoming a VA, Hayleigh worked in the Construction Industry for 12 years, supporting the MD and Global Finance Director. Former colleagues and clients have remarked on her efficiency,  commitment and ability to work on multiple tasks which are instrumental to her ability to support her Executives as effectively as possible.   

Helen Haslam

Helen has over 25 years of experience working as a high-level Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff, mostly within the NHS and government.  In 2019, she took the decision to move into a career as a Freelance Personal Assistant.  Since then, Helen has worked for a digital bank, celebrity sportsman, government official, high net worth individuals  and a healthcare company, to name a few, she also works with a number of clients within the charity sector.     

Working for a wide range of clients, Helen’s skills are quite diverse and involve complex diary & inbox management, project work, report writing, events and travel administration and ad hoc admin support. However, board level administration and governance are where her main skills and experience sit.  

Having worked for a number of high-profile clients and the government, Helen prides herself on being discreet and understands the importance of confidentiality.  Helen brings a wealth of skills and experience to support her clients and personally demands a high quality of work and accuracy at all times.   She boasts strong organisational skills and likes to be proactive and forward thinking.   She is completely comfortable working within a high-pressured industry and is flexible to these demands. 

Jayne Hooper

Jayne has been a Virtual Assistant since 2010, providing support to Entrepreneurs, SME’s and Corporates across a variety of industries including Sales Leadership & Business Transformation, Coaching and Development, Corporate Hospitality and Healthcare.  

Prior to becoming a VA, Jayne worked in within the healthcare sector, with direct accountability for sales and business development for a number of private facilities across the South East.  Jayne coordinated numerous meetings and events and assisted with the development of a specialised educational series for healthcare professionals and commissioners. 

Jenny O’Brien

Jenny has been a PA / EA for 20 years. She has worked with a number of senior level Partners and Directors in both the private and public sectors. 

Her current portfolio of work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating complex business travel, and streamlining chaotic inboxes, in addition to providing virtual operations management for smaller professional services firms. 

Prior to becoming a VA, Jenny worked at various management consultancy firms, including Accenture. Colleagues and clients have remarked on her proactive approach, her meticulous attention to detail and reliability which plays a vital role in her capacity to assist her Executives as efficiently as she can. 

Jess Raymond

Jess has been an executive administrator for over 13 years, working largely in the non-profit sector.

Her current portfolio of work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating complex business travel, and providing business operations and financial support to small businesses and solo-entrepreneurs.

Prior to becoming a VA, Jess was the Executive Assistant to the President/Founders as well as the Director of Operations of two non-profit organizations in the US. As part of her roles there, she oversaw all legal, administrative, financial, and human resource operations for both organizations, and was instrumental in building their operational systems and structures from the ground up. She also supported multiple busy executives simultaneously and coordinated large scale events and volunteer teams. As a VA, Jess is efficient, dedicated, and extremely loyal; she honors her word and she’s passionate about helping others thrive.

Kath Irwin

“first-class and totally reliable”

Kath is a Virtual PA supporting organisations great and small ensuring their day to day is done whilst keeping a keen eye on what’s coming up.

Her current client work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating complex business travel, and streamlining chaotic inboxes.  In addition, she provides a wide range of administration tasks and supports smaller organisations streamline, plan and focus. 

Before embarking on her journey as a Virtual PA, Kath worked as a PA with consultants and at Board level supporting Directors and Non-Exec Directors. For a number of years, she was PA to a Chairman in the IT sector supporting him through an intense period of growth, with mergers, acquisitions (across Europe) and preparation for flotation.

With a wide range of sectors under her belt, Kath is very adaptable and revels in the diversity of experience and learning this has given her.  She also has many years experience in marketing, fundraising (a role she moved into having been involved in charities all her adult life) and as a business owner and employer giving her a great empathy with her clients.  She has both a detailed and bigger picture approach.

She worked for NSPCC, YWCA and managed a national campaign for the National Blood Service and has a passion for helping her clients become more involved with their community and charities.

Lisa Payne

“Simply phenomenal!”

Lisa has been working for several years as a Virtual EA/Office Manager/HR Assistant and a Virtual EA. Her roles include ensuring the smooth running of the office and team, delivering high-level administrative support, extensive diary management, coordinating complex business travel, and assisting with the onboarding of new joiners.

Alongside this, Lisa has her own photography business, capturing weddings and more recently helping creative businesses visually bring their brand to life.

Lisa has run the two businesses alongside each other for over 10 years. Previously working as a PA in Private Equity, at Candover which later became Arle. Starting her career in Banking, at JP Morgan, as a trader’s assistant in Futures & Options. Former colleagues and clients have remarked on her professionalism, that she is a great asset to the team, who can be counted on to get things done, is very trustworthy and enjoyable to work with.

Lucy Nixon

“I have had excellent feedback from all my contacts that she is a joy to deal with”

Lucy has been a successful VA since early 2016.  Her current portfolio of work includes diary management and general PA duties to the CEO of a campaigning charity, private PA work for a NED and is a very proud member of Team PV Q5 supporting one of Q5’s founding Partners. She has previously worked with magazine editors, employment law specialists, software developer start-ups and CEOs…safe to say Lucy is a niche-free zone!

Before moving to just outside Bristol and setting up as a VA, and via a long and utterly fabulous time working in the advertising and design industry, Lucy’s London commuting life climaxed as a ‘diary ninja’ EA and general right-hand-woman to various senior Partners in the Healthcare/Pharma, Oil & Gas and Private Equity sectors at McKinsey & Co.  

Teamwork, a keen eye for detail, the ability to put herself in her charges’ shoes and a good sense of humour were key to ensuring that Lucy’s support for those under her care is always to the highest level.

Sam Collett

Samantha has been a successful PA for over 6 years. Her current portfolio of work includes diary and inbox management, travel management, document preparation (PowerPoint Presentations) and general PA duties.  

She has previously worked with Founders and Directors of management consultancies, and within financial services. 

Samantha is known for having a “CAN DO” attitude with a great team spirit, and always approaches things with a smile on her face. She is extremely proactive and super organised and is always looking at better ways to be more efficient to the people she supports. 

Shannon Sowden

“Shannon has been a game-changer for us”

Shannon has been a PA and Executive Assistant across various public and private sector organisations for more years than she cares to share! As part of that extensive career history, much of that time was spent working within a big four, global professional services firm in London where she honed her experience of supporting senior Partners and financial services professionals, leading a team of PAs herself, and providing EA support on bids within a fast-paced and dynamic sales and marketing environment. Shannon also trained and worked as a professional actress prior to her career as an EA. Shannon transferred this experience and training into a coaching offering for financial services and sales professionals to present and pitch more successfully. Some of Shannon’s former and current clients and colleagues describe Shannon as “timely, accurate and professional”, “a great can-do attitude, is extremely personable” and “a genuine pleasure to work with”.

Her current portfolio of work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating complex business travel, creating, formatting, and editing documents in multiple formats. Shannon gets great pleasure from a clean and tidy inbox.

Tamsin Jago

Tamsin has been a PA / EA for 27 years.

Her current portfolio of work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating business travel, and streamlining chaotic inboxes, in addition to providing minute taking for various meetings at Board level.

Prior to becoming a VA, Tamsin worked at a Global Insurance Company looking after various COOs, Customer Services Managers and a CMO. Former colleagues and clients have remarked on her ability to get things done and thinking about things before they happen and working with a great sense of humour.  

Tanja Kirtley

Tanja has been a PA / EA for 25+ years. She has worked with companies such as Warner Bros London, Tresor TV Production (Munich), ZDF (Mainz), BMG Universum Film GmbH (Munich), Nicky Clinch and The Caffeine Partnership Ltd, just to name a few.

Her current portfolio of work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating complex business travel, and streamlining chaotic inboxes, organising team and larger scale client events in addition to providing virtual operations management for smaller professional services firms.

Prior to becoming a VA, Tanja worked at various companies, both independent and corporate, in direct collaboration with key figures within the Entertainment industry at companies such as ProSieben (broadcast station, Germany) and Universal Music (Germany). Former colleagues and clients have remarked on her efficiency, charm and positive energy which are instrumental to her ability to support her Executives as effectively as possible.

Tori Rowley

Tori has been a PA / EA for 30+ years.   She has worked with accountancy firms, a software tech startup, medical and private catering firms.  

Her current portfolio of work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating business travel, and streamlining chaotic inboxes, onboarding for client employees, in addition to providing virtual operations management. 

Prior to becoming a VA, Tori worked for KPMG for 17 years and prior to this she worked for recruitment, advertising and financial PR firms.  Tori worked at the partner and director level at KPMG, regularly liaising with leadership teams.  Former colleagues and clients have remarked on her efficiency, easy-going nature and positive energy which are instrumental to her ability to support her executives as effectively as possible. One previous line manager said “Tori is the most efficient person I have ever worked with, so committed and such a great colleague. Will always have a solution and nothing is ever too hard!” 

Tracey Bussola

Tracey has been a PA / EA for 23 years.   

Her current portfolio includes strategic and proactive diary management, scheduling (often across time zones), coordinating business travel and itineraries, bringing order and calm to chaotic inboxes, and providing virtual admin and business assistance for smaller professional services firms. 

Before becoming a VA, Tracey’s experience was in providing dedicated professional admin assistance, mostly supporting executives and directors within the Executive Search industry. She has worked at various search consultancy firms, including Stratum International, Clifton Hill Associates, and Curzon, directly collaborating with key figures and clients within the mining and energy industries at companies such as Anglo American, Kinross, and BP. Before working in executive search, Tracey worked in director supporting roles within design consultancies and the film industry (post-production). 

Former colleagues and clients have remarked on her efficiency, professionalism and discretion, with an ability to build strong relationships, instrumental in supporting her Executives as effectively as possible. She is a pleasure to work with always being positive, upbeat, and engaged. 

Victoria Kane

“truly invaluable”

Victoria has been an EA for 15 years. She has worked with many busy CEOs and Senior Management leaders throughout her career providing top-level support in fast-paced environments.

Her current portfolio of work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating complex business travel, and streamlining chaotic inboxes, in addition to providing virtual operations management and project coordination for smaller professional services firms.

Prior to becoming a VA, Victoria worked at various FTSE 100 firms, including British American Tobacco as well as management consulting firms like Mercer and KPMG.

Former colleagues and clients have remarked on her efficiency, charm and positive energy which are instrumental to her ability to support her Executives as effectively as possible.

Beyond her administrative capabilities, she is a creative and resourceful thinker, always ready to contribute innovative ideas and her problem-solving skills to enhance efficiency and streamline processes.

Victoria Savage

Victoria has been an EA for 20 years.   In the last 4 years she has been a self employed virtual assistant working with clients in lots of different industries, including governing bodies, charities, finance and businesses specialising in diversity and inclusion. 

Her current portfolio of work includes proactive diary management and scheduling, coordinating complex business travel, and streamlining chaotic inboxes. She is passionate about helping and organising people. 

Prior to becoming a VA, Victoria worked with various partners and directors at one of the big four accountacy firms for 13 years.  Former colleagues and clients have remarked on her efficiency, charm and positive energy which are instrumental to her ability to support her Executives as effectively as possible.