The search is on for the Birmingham Post PA of the Year 2008 as we seek to honour the West Midlands’ unsung office heroes.

The seven-night trip to Kyrenia, Cyprus, for two – courtesy of Anatolian Sky holidays – will be presented to the winner at a reception and three-course dinner at Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

The event on November 13 at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground will honour the best in the industry at the awards ceremony - aimed at recognising the hard work and sheer professionalism of PAs across the business and public sectors, who often go uncelebrated and unnoticed.

Sponsored by Tirebuck Career Solutions, PA networking association Pears, and The Birmingham Post, the event will be the culmination of a two-month search for the West Midlands’ top personal assistant. The successful candidate will be crowned the region’s PA of the Year 2008, in an evening of feasting and fun.

Last year’s winner, Anne Thornton, beat off stiff competition to be named as The Birmingham Post PA of the Year at an awards ceremony at the Burlington Hotel in November.

The 49-year-old impressed judges with her self-made success story, having gone from an unqualified 16-year-old school leaver to one of the most valued assistants in the Midlands.

Ms Thornton, who has been a PA for 19 years and works for Deloitte partner Mark Lawrie, was given the nod for her “infectious personality” and initiative in setting up co-operation schemes for PAs across the region.

She was put forward for the award by her boss, who described her as the “most proactive assistant” he had ever met, adding he wished the regular Deloitte review had a category above “excellent” especially for her.

After learning of her win, he emailed all 1,500 regional employees to tell them about her victory.

“Anne works to a standard that is above and beyond that of an executive assistant. She is extremely competent,” Mr Lawrie said. “She also plays a very important role in developing a ‘team spirit’ in the Birmingham office.”

Ms Thornton, who has previously worked for the Post Office, Warwickshire County Cricket Club and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce among others in her long and varied career, won a £1,250 cash prize and a night out on the town.

Speaking the day after her win, she said: “I don’t honestly know what in particular it was that made them choose me. But I do a lot of work with other PAs across the region, from Cardiff through to Leicester, trying to get a bit more of a community together.

“It takes me a bit of time and effort, but showing we are a regional business was just something I saw we needed when I started at Deloitte.”

Do you or someone you know have what it takes to win the PA of the Year competition?

To nominate yourself, or someone else, email pa@tirebuck.co.uk, or download and print off the nomination form here.

All completed forms should be sent to PA of the Year, c/o Tirebuck Career Solutions Ltd, 1665 High Street, Greville Court, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0LL.  The closing date of the competition is September 29.

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