Hire a Personal Assistant You Can Rely On
Specialist PA Recruitment, Delivered Nationwide
Hiring the right Personal Assistant can transform the way you work. From managing complex schedules and communications to providing seamless day-to-day support, a high-calibre PA brings structure, efficiency and calm to even the busiest environments.
The role of the Personal Assistant continues to evolve. Today’s PAs are strategic, tech-savvy and increasingly involved in high-level coordination and decision-making. Our experienced team speaks to Personal Assistants every day and understands exactly what today’s professionals are looking for in a role, and what clients need from their support.
At Lily Shippen, we’ve earned a reputation for placing exceptional PAs across every industry. With strong networks in London, Manchester, Cheshire and beyond, we support executives, founders and private households across the UK. Whether you’re looking for a permanent, temporary or remote PA, we introduce candidates who are carefully vetted and closely matched to your needs.
Job Titles and Evolving Responsibilities
We understand that job titles are often interchangeable and what one business calls a PA, another may call an Executive Assistant, Team Assistant or Business Assistant. Whatever the title, we work closely with you to define the scope of the role and ensure the person you hire has the skills, experience and temperament to succeed.
If you’re unsure how to structure your role or what to include in your brief, we can help.
Or speak to us directly about creating a personal assistant job description that’s tailored to your business.
Who We Work With
We support clients of all sizes, from entrepreneurs and HNWIs to large corporations and family offices. Our clients span industries including:
- Financial services
- Legal and professional services
- Creative and media
- Property and real estate
- Private households
- Technology and start-ups
- Family offices and private investment firms
Since launching, we’ve successfully recruited PAs for every type of organisation and leadership style.
Our Personal Assistant Recruitment Process
Tailored to you
No two roles are the same, and no two assistants are either. We begin by understanding your specific needs, whether you need personal support in a private household or professional assistance in a fast-paced office environment.
Exceptional candidates only
Every PA we represent is personally interviewed and vetted by our team. We assess experience, professionalism, discretion and cultural fit before a CV ever reaches your desk.
UK-wide reach
We recruit Personal Assistants across London, Manchester, Cheshire, Birmingham, Leeds and the rest of the UK. Hybrid, fully remote and office-based options are all available. If you’re not sure what support structure suits you best, we’re here to guide you.
Types of PA Roles We Place
- Private Personal Assistants
- Business Personal Assistants
- Celebrity and UHNW Personal Assistants
- Bilingual Personal Assistants
- Remote Personal Assistants
- Temporary and Contract PAs
- Travelling PAs
We also recruit for Executive Assistants, Office Managers, Team Assistants and Chiefs of Staff through our dedicated business support division.
Ready to Hire a Personal Assistant?
Our specialist PA recruiters are ready to help you find the right Personal Assistant for your business or household. Whether you already have a job description or are still defining the role, we’ll guide you through the process and connect you with the best available talent.
If you have a preferred time for us to contact you, let us know and we’ll ensure the most relevant consultant follows up. We aim to respond to all client enquiries within six working hours. Messages received out of hours will be picked up at the start of the next working day.
Why Lily Shippen?
We do things differently here.
“After working with Lily Shippen to hire a Personal Assistant in Manchester, we were thrilled with the high-quality candidates they provided. Their knowledge of our sector and focus on finding the perfect fit made all the difference.” – CEO, Finance Sector, Manchester
“We were looking for a PA recruitment agency with experience in finding Senior PAs for executives, and Lily Shippen delivered above expectations. They guided us through the entire process, presenting only top candidates who aligned with our company culture” – Partner, Law Firm, London
“Lily Shippen’s expertise and extensive network were invaluable when we needed to hire a PA for our Cheshire office. From creating a job description to shortlisting candidates, they made the process easy and efficient.” – Director, Private Family Office, Cheshire

Useful links
This programme is designed for Personal Assistants and Executive Assistants who want to enhance their skills, expand their network and gain strategic career insights. Whether you’re just starting out or already established in your career, the programme offers tailored support and valuable resources at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Personal Assistant:
A Personal Assistant (PA) provides high-level administrative and organisational support to an individual or team. Responsibilities often include diary and inbox management, travel planning, meeting coordination, document preparation and acting as a key point of contact internally and externally. Depending on the role, a PA may also assist with personal errands, events or household logistics.
The two roles often overlap. In some businesses, the titles are used interchangeably. Generally, an Executive Assistant (EA) supports C-suite or senior leaders with more strategic-level tasks, while a PA may focus more on day-to-day support. That said, the exact scope depends on the needs of the individual or business. We can help you define the right title and responsibilities for your role.
Absolutely. Our team will take the time to understand your business and support needs. We can advise on the right structure, scope and even job title. You can also explore our LINK TO – PA job description templates to get started.
Yes, we have extensive experience placing high-calibre Private Personal Assistants for HNWIs, families and individuals across the UK. These roles often involve lifestyle management, travel coordination, property administration and liaising with other household staff.
Yes. We recruit for permanent, temporary, contract and fully remote Personal Assistant positions. Whether you need interim cover or long-term support, we can tailor the search to suit.
We recruit PAs across the UK, including London, Manchester, Cheshire, Birmingham, Leeds and beyond. We also support remote and hybrid roles, meaning we can find the right candidate regardless of location.
This depends on the type of role, your requirements and market availability. For permanent roles, clients typically meet candidates within a week of briefing us, and hires are often made within two to four weeks. For temporary PAs, we can often provide suitable candidates within 24 to 48 hours.
We’ve placed Personal Assistants into every industry since launching, including finance, legal, tech, property, creative, professional services and private households. Whatever your sector, we understand the pace and expectations of your environment.
Always on hand
With offices strategically located in both Manchester and London, we are proud to deliver tailored recruitment solutions to clients and candidates across the UK, as well as internationally. Our dedicated team of experts combines in-depth industry knowledge with a personal approach, ensuring that each recruitment strategy is uniquely aligned to meet specific needs—whether locally, virtually, or overseas.
Whether you’re actively seeking a new career opportunity or you’re an employer in search of top-tier talent, our team is here to help. Get in touch with us by leaving a message below, and one of our specialists will respond promptly to discuss how we can support your goals.
With offices strategically located in both Manchester and London, we are proud to deliver tailored recruitment solutions to clients and candidates across the UK, as well as internationally. Our dedicated team of experts combines in-depth industry knowledge with a personal approach, ensuring that each recruitment strategy is uniquely aligned to meet specific needs—whether locally, virtually, or overseas.
Whether you’re actively seeking a new career opportunity or you’re an employer in search of top-tier talent, our team is here to help. Get in touch with us by leaving a message below, and one of our specialists will respond promptly to discuss how we can support your goals.
0203 882 0349
+44 7547 404164
- 0203 882 0349
+44 7547 404164