VA Pro

16/04/2025

UK VAs – we need you! 🙌

The 2025 VA Survey is live. Please have your say, your input is so valuable and helps shape the future of our industry.

👉 Take the survey now
It only takes 20–30 mins, and in return, you’ll get a free copy of the full results.
https://societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk/uk-va-survey

The results will provide a real snapshot of the VA industry as it is in 2025. This information can be used to offer support, keep abreast of change, and it can help to identify any upcoming challenges or opportunities for the industry to be aware of in the future.

So please:
✅ Take part
✅ Tag a VA friend
✅ Share the link - https://societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk/uk-va-survey

Let’s make our voices heard! 🗣️💥

UK Virtual Assistant survey - collecting data to create a snapshot of the UK Virtual Assistant industry with real virtual assistants.

17/05/2024

So, today marks the 18th occurrence of International Virtual Assistants Day. This feels like quite a big deal, the day that celebrates us all, is coming of age! Turning 18 is such a huge milestone in life, it feels only right to consider the milestone in the industry. Whilst of course VA work predates this, it’s fair to say the most change, growth, adaptations have happened in the most recent years as technology has improved and global events have changed the perspective towards home working.

We are taking a moment to pause and take stock, we’d love to hear from you, whether you are a veteran in the field or a relative newcomer, we want to know about the changes you have seen over the course of your career and also where you envision the industry going in the next 5 years, what are the next big changes you predict, or what do you want to see happen?

07/05/2024

Calling all UK Virtual Assistants. Who loves a freebie?! 🙋‍♀️

WIN - Your chance to win 2 x FREE tickets to the Midlands VA Conference

We just heard that the PA Forum are giving away 2 complimentary tickets to join them at the first Midlands VA Conference at Millenium Point in Birmingham on 5th June 2024.

Included will be:

- A full day ticket to join both the PA Forum Keynote Theatre and VA Conference stages
- Speed Networking opportunity in the morning.
- Refreshments and Lunch included throughout the day
- Drinks Reception at the close of the day
- Access to their supplier exhibition and a chance to network with your peers


AGENDA

08:00am - Arrival for networking, refreshments, and supplier exhibition

08:15am - Optional Speed Networking Event

09:15am - Lucy Brazier OBE, Executive Support Media (emcee, event partner and host)

10:00am - "In the blink of an AI: Productivity Superpowers" with Professor Corrine Hoisington

11:15am - "The Essential VA Toolbox" with Amanda Johnson, VACT

12:00pm - "Networking & Nerves" with Hayley Hudson, Hudson VA & The VA Lounge

14:00pm - "Your Sales Pipeline" with Steph Middleton Foster, Outhouse VA & Configure Me This

14:45pm -"Virtual Assistant Carrer Journeys and Career Pathways" with Amanda Johnson, Mel Bates, Paddy White, Steph Middleton-Foster, Helen Matin

16:00pm - "Bounce Forward" with Rebecca Mander, GuruYou

17:00pm - Drinks Reception and Conference Close


For your chance to WIN a FREE ticket to join the PA Forum, please ENTER their competition via this Eventbrite page https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/win-your-chance-to-win-2-x-free-tickets-to-the-midlands-va-conference-tickets-898626996537

Winners will be announced via the PA Forum Social Media Channel on Linked In on Monday 20th May 2024.

Good Luck! 🍀

We are giving away 2 complimentary tickets to join us for the inaugural Midlands VA Conference, 5th June at Millennium Point, Birmingham

30/04/2024

This looks like a LOT of fun!

The PA Forum Learning & Development Conference is BACK! and we're excited that it will also incorporate the very first Midlands VA Conference.

VA Pro's very own Stephanie Middleton-Foster will be speaking at the event, alongside a host of inspiring speakers and VA industry professionals.

Will you be joining us? 🔽

Here's a look at last year's conference https://youtu.be/OZo1M3v1QKI

Details:

📅 5th June 2024
⏰️ 8am - 5pm
📍 Millennium Point Birmingham

Full info and tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/midlands-va-conference-5th-june-2024-tickets-848257590287

Secure your seat today and get ready to hear from this great lineup of speakers...

🎙Professor Corinne Hoisington "In the Blink of an AI"

🎙Nick Elston "Find Your Voice - How To Be Truly Heard In Life & Business"

🎙John Bullock "Governance & Effective Decision Making"

🎙Afshan Baksh FRSA "The Future-Ready PA"

🎙Claudine Martin BSc (Hons), CIPD assoc "The Power Of Adaptability"

🎙 Lindsay Taylor FInstAM "Smarter Goal Setting"

🎙 Rebecca Mander FInstLM "From Victim To Victor"

🎙"Is There Truly A Career Pathway for PAs, EAs & Business Support Professionals" Amy Malin, Sarah Maddox CMgr ChMC MCMI DipQ, Wendy Bullard, Rhiannon Hopcroft

BRAND NEW FOR 2024.....MIDLANDS VA CONFERENCE (Virtual Assistant Theatre) including:

🎙Amanda Johnson "The Essential VA Toolbox"

🎙Hayley Hudson "Networking & Nerves"

🎙 Steph Middleton-Foster "Your Sales Pipeline"

🎙"Virtual Assistant Career Pathways" Mel Bates, Paddy Vanessa White, Helen Martin, Steph Middleton-Foster

🎟 EARLY BIRD TICKETS @ £99+vat pp

03/04/2024

ANNOUNCEMENT We are pleased to be supporting the PA Forum at their very first Midlands VA Conference 🔽 Dedicated to the Virtual Assistant Community 📢

📅 5th June 2024
⏰️ 8am - 5pm
📍 Millennium Point Birmingham

Having attended many PA Forum events before, we can guarantee that this is one not to be missed So make sure you grab your tickets early.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/midlands-va-conference-5th-june-2024-tickets-848257590287

========

For the first time ever, PA Forum will be hosting the inaugural Midlands VA Conference, running simultaneously alongside our annual Learning & Development Conference.

Now into our 7th year our PA Forum annual conference is one of the most economical events outside of London specifically for business support professionals.

This is the first ever Conference in the Midlands dedicated to the Virtual Assistant Community and it promises to be a fantastic day!

A full day, in-person event, filled with inspirational, aspirational, and educational keynotes, sessions, and seminars from a lineup of well-known and established VAs, trainers and influencers from the VA industry.

All the content has been designed to support self employed VAs and Business Owners at all stages in their career.

For those thinking about stepping into the VA world or perhaps already in the early stages of their business, right through to experienced VAs and business owners who have been established for many years.

All the content is designed to ensure that attendees leave feeling motivated with tangible and actionable takeaways.

The day provides an opportunity for you to connect in-person with VAs from across the country.

Included within the price of your ticket is 2 x keynote speaker sessions, 4 x breakout sessions covering a variety of topics, breakfast pastries, 2 course buffet lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

We have negotiated reduced accommodation rates at a local Hotel if you would like to stay the night before (please enquire for more details)

Speakers confirmed so far include our very own award winning VA Pro Magazine Editor and Chief of VA Professional Network - Stephanie Middleton-Foster plus an amazing line-up of VA Industry legends

🌟 Lucy Brazier OBE, CEO, Executive Support Media - Event Partner, Keynote Speaker and Main Stage Emcee

🌟 Professor Corinne Hoisington, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Keynote Speaker Main Stage

Corinne promises to make you love AI!

🌟 Amanda Johnson, VACT Limited - VA Coach & Mentor, VA Theatre Host & Educational Session

"The Essential VA Toolbox"

🌟 Hayley Hudson, Hudson Admin Support & The VA Lounge

"Networking & Nerves"

🌟 Steph Middleton-Foster, CEO & Founder, Configure Me This & Outhouse UK

"Your Sales Pipeline"

🌟 Mel Bates, Paddy Vanessa White, Helen Martin, Steph Middleton-Foster & Amanda Johnson

"Virtual Assistant Career Journeys & Pathways " Panel Discussion

🌟 Rebecca Mander FInstLM, GuruYou®️ - Keynote Speaker, Main Stage

✅️ FOR THE FULL DETAILS AND TO SECURE YOUR PLACE PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW 🔽

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/midlands-va-conference-5th-june-2024-tickets-848257590287

Can't wait to see you there.

Join us for the first ever Midlands Conference dedicated to Virtual Assistants, 5th June 2024 @ Millennium Point, Birmingham.

06/10/2022

Congratulations to Katie Stone, P.A. on their recent award win! Ludlow based teacher-turned-entrepreneur, Katie has scooped the prize for “Best VA of the Year with a Small Team”

Read the full article here: https://vapromag.co.uk/katie-stone-winner-smallteam-22

Ludlow businesswoman Katie Stone is celebrating after she was crowned ‘Best VA of the Year with a Small Team’ at the prestigious UK VA Awards 2022.

03/10/2022

Huge congratulations to all of the winners and finalists from the UK VA Awards on Friday. It was tough competition from a group of inspiring and passionate virtual assistants. Well done to you all.

05/05/2022

Did you know that the most commonly used password in 2022 is still "123456". 😱😱

It's World Password Day today; what are you doing to make your VA business and those of your clients, more secure?

22/04/2022

Check out the fabulous Kate Kurdziej Onboarding mini-series that is on our website, available to read as an article or view on YouTube!

Have you ever wondered what onboarding actually is? Do you worry that other VAs know what to do and you don't? In this mini-series, I'll be guiding you throu...

30/03/2022

This month's articles have been published, and we are featuring:

Arnold Rogers' Everything You Need To Know About Internet Speeds:
https://vapromag.co.uk/internet-speeds/

Part 4 of Kate Kurdjiez Simple and Effective Onboarding Process Mini-Series:
https://vapromag.co.uk/onboarding-for-free/

Annabelle Kayes Who Does What When It Comes To GDPR:
https://vapromag.co.uk/who-does-what-when-it-comes-to-gdpr/

VAs can get very confused by GDPR advice. A lot of it is aimed at large organisations and many of the processes and policies are impossible to understand or implement if there is really just you, or you and a few associates. If you are interested in more information about GPDR for your clients, you....