Hiring a Personal Assistant (PA) is a valuable step for any executive or organisation. Whether it’s your first time working with a PA or you are rebuilding support after a gap, a structured and well-prepared onboarding process is essential. It sets the tone for the relationship, ensures clarity from the start, and gives your PA [...]
Since launching our dedicated Virtual Assistant (VA) division in 2020, Lily Shippen has watched the market shift and develop at pace. Five years on, one thing is clear: the demand for UK virtual assistants continues to rise, with more businesses than ever seeking flexible, high-quality support. The reasons behind this are varied. For some, it’s [...]
In the world of business support, Personal Assistants (PAs) and Executive Assistants (EAs) play a vital role. They are trusted partners to senior leaders, relied upon for their judgement, discretion, and ability to keep things moving. Yet despite the weight of responsibility they carry, professional development for PAs and EAs is often overlooked. That’s where [...]
Over the past year, we’ve seen a rise in professionals exploring a career change into PA (Personal Assistant) and EA (Executive Assistant) roles. At Lily Shippen, it’s something we’re asked about almost weekly. Many people want to know how to break into this competitive field without prior experience. […]
The way we work is shifting once again. After several years of hybrid and remote models, 2025 has brought a clearer direction. Many employers are now expecting staff in the office four days a week. This approach is widely referred to as RTW4 (Return to Work Four Days a Week). […]
In 2025, many businesses still underestimate the strategic value of hiring the right business support professionals. These individuals play a critical role in streamlining operations, maintaining company culture and supporting senior leadership, yet recruitment for these roles is often treated as an afterthought. The result is a hiring process that defaults to convenience over specialism, [...]
Spotlight On: Bristol’s Business Support Market […]
In today’s evolving business landscape, the need for high-quality executive support remains constant, but how that support is delivered is changing. One of the most common questions founders and senior leaders ask us is whether to hire a Virtual Assistant or an in-house Executive Assistant. […]
For those of you who do not know, I set up Lily Shippen in 2016 when I was 22 years old, after working for a global recruitment firm in London on the secretarial and support desk. I feel incredibly lucky to have landed that role, as it taught me so much about how to recruit [...]
In 2025, the role of the Executive Assistant has evolved significantly and for good reason. No longer just exceptional administrators, today’s EAs are true strategic business partners. […]
