The PA Show Summer Summit 2025 has returned to the HAC on 9 July, bringing together PAs, EAs and VAs from across the executive support community.
Hosted by Sarah Howson and Marianne Whitlock, The PA Show Summer Summit 2025 delivered a dynamic programme of expert-led sessions designed to empower senior-level assistants with the tools and insights to thrive in increasingly strategic roles.
From shaping organisational culture and understanding the CEO mindset to mastering AI tools and navigating the C-suite, each session offered practical takeaways for elevating impact and influence.
The first session with Ruth Creely, head of culture at Nineteen Group discussed the importance of culture in the workplace. Outlining three key takeways for attendees, she said: “Listen to your people, engage with them and maintain your values.”
Some other highlights include Nicole Bearne’s keynote on thriving in high-performance environments with her inspiring journey from being a PA to becoming the head of internal communications for F1.
In her session, she gave nine tips:
- Think like a champion
- Find the marginal gains
- Preparation is key to find an opportunity
- Set career goals
- Don’t be afraid to put yourself forward
- Build relationships
- Don’t be a queen bee
- Don’t forget to live
- Celebrate the wins
Further highlights of the morning sessions included a forward-thinking session on AI-led productivity with Tasha Thor-Straten, and empowering talks from Jasmine Mbye.
The afternoon delved into high-level strategic insight, starting with Shola Kaye’s session on effectively navigating the C-suite, equipping attendees with the confidence and communication skills to align with executive leadership.
Lauren Bradley followed with a deep dive into the CEO mindset, helping assistants anticipate needs and operate one step ahead.
While Jayne Morris then addresses the critical topic of wellbeing, offering science-backed strategies to combat burnout and sustain high performance.
The day concluded with a powerhouse session from Marianne Whitlock and Sarah Howson, who outlined the six essential skills that transform EAs into strategic business partners, providing real-world guidance for those ready to lead with purpose and influence.
