2019 Manchester PA Awards: winner’s revealed

Over 700 guests from across the Manchester Business Community came together on Wednesday night to celebrate the hard work, dedication and passion that PAs, EAs, VAs and Support Professionals demonstrate within their roles.

The Manchester PA Awards alongside Event Partner Make Events, is run as a not for profit organisation and monies from the charity raffle and auction have been donated towards the Manchester PA Network fundraising goal of £200,000 by 2020.

The awards hosted by TV presenter Gethin Jones honoured PAs, EAs, VAs and support professionals from over 50 Manchester businesses.  Entertainment was provided by the Chorus of Life Choir, the Scratch Band and the Soul Orchestra.

Co-founder of the Manchester PA Network Amanda Hargreaves said: “it was an honour to bring the awards back for a fifth year, we pride ourselves each year on making sure the evening is bigger and better than the year before, we would not be able to do this without the ongoing support of our event partner Make Events and sponsors.”

Alex Morrisroe, Commercial Director of Make Events, the Manchester PA Awards Event Partner, said: “Over the last five years, we have been on a fantastic journey with the Manchester PA Awards and we have seen the past nominees and winners go on to do great things in their careers and personal lives. This year was all about celebrating these amazing achievements and inspiring people to achieve their goals. The sky really is the limit!”

The awards raised an incredible £8,000 for the Christie which has been added to the funds already raised by the Manchester PA Network taking their total to over £204,000 which the network has been raising since 2011.

Co-owners of Stock Exchange Hotel, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Winston Zahra said: “We are very honoured to be sponsoring the brand ambassador award at the Manchester PA Awards this year as it shines the light on the unsung heroes of the Manchester Business Community.  We, along with the entire team at Stock Exchange Hotel, are very proud of our relationship with the awards and we are looking forward to welcoming the Manchester PA community to the hotel when we open on November 15^th.”

The 2019 winners are:

Best Event sponsored by Eclectic Hotels– Gemma Boyle, British Cycling

Brand Ambassador sponsored by the Stock Exchange – Rachael May, N Brown Group

External PA Network sponsored by EPAA – Sussex PA Network

Fundraiser of the Year sponsored by Zen Office – Amanda Allen, Clearwater

Internal PA Network sponsored by Roomzzz – Executive Assistants at the Co-op

Leader of the Year sponsored by Lily Shippen Recruitment – Diane LeStrange – Chiesi

Lifetime Achievement – Tracey Williams, WSP Indigo

Rising Star sponsored by Fidler Academy – Hannah Valentine, Citation

Health and Welbeing sponsored by Mash Media/The PA Show – Claire Benson, Deloitte

Social Media Champion sponsored by F3 and Manchester City – Debbie Grimshaw, Brother

Team of the Year sponsored by Revolution de Cuba – Brother UK Exec Support Team

Virtual Assistant sponsored by Crowne Plaza and Staybridge Suites – Beth Graham

Excellence Award – Mimi Coiffaitt, Manchester City

Above and Beyond sponsored by Whitworth Locke – Nicola Allen, Shoosmiths

Highly Commended – Kathryn Cusick, N Brown Group

Manchester PA of the Year sponsored by the Manchester PA Network– Grainne Shaw, Gateley UK