Abigail Jones
Miss Jones Group of the Year 2018
Abigail Jones is a career Executive Assistant, winner of PA of the Year 2018, nominated for EA of the Year 2018 and Outstanding Achievement 2018, shortlisted for London PA of the Year 2017 and PA of The Year 2016., with almost two decades’ of experience. She was featured on the cover of PA Life Magazine and is a regular contributor to it, and has also been featured on panel shows, articles, summits and workshops with Miss Jones Group, The Global PA Association, Practically Perfect, European Conference, the PA Show, LCCI PA Club and SecsInTheCity. With three degrees in the Arts, she started her career working at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Museums, Christies and Sotheby’s auction houses and private art dealers. Abigail then moved into Healthcare, Charity, Law, Fashion/Luxury Retail (L’Oreal) and is currently the EA to the CEO of ghd. Abigail specialises in working at ‘C suite’ level, and is passionate about encouraging PA’s to get the most of out their careers, giving women and equal voice in the workplace, and developing skill sets to make the most of the role of Executive and Personal Assistant. She also provides coaching and mentoring to individual EAs and PAs and as well as corporate groups.
Where do you work?
ghd
Describe your job in 3 words:
Telepathic Mary Poppins5
How did you first become a Personal Assistant?
At the V&A I was press assistant/PA to the Director of PR, and I discovered I liked being a PA more.
Was there one particular moment that you remember that this was the career path for you?
Looking back, it was obvious that this would be the perfect fit, but at the time, no!
What’s the best part about your job?
Making a difference to personal lives and business
And the worst?
Being blamed for things that aren’t our fault and responsibility!
Describe a typical day; what work does it entail, what hours do you work, what problems do you face?
There’s no such thing as a typical day- but it includes ‘traditional’ elements such as diary management, inbox handling, travel and expenses. Also the ‘random’ unpredictable problems relating to either personal or work life that need fixing urgently.1
If I wanted to be a PA, what experience would you suggest I get?
Speak to or shadow the PAs in your company, or who you already know, understand the wide scope of things that can be covered in a generic ‘PA’ term, try to pick an industry or sector that interests you, and be realistic in terms of salary- often experience does mean you can work towards supporting at a more senior level for a higher salary. Decide if you want to be corporate, creative, or work in a private household.
If money were no object, what career would you be in and why?
I know, but I’ll think about it when I win the lottery!
What are your go to websites/resources that help you with your day to day tasks?
I use this one all the time for complex cross global arrangements: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html
