The document profiles two personal assistants - Amanda Fasge who works in London's Gherkin building, and Frances Murray who works from a Scottish castle. Amanda enjoys the variety of restaurants and views from the iconic Gherkin building, but dislikes the windy conditions at street level. She has been asked unusual requests like smuggling chocolate. Frances supports the owner of Sorn Castle and enjoys the flexibility to work from home and bring her family. She has been asked to purchase a gimp suit. Working in the castle was initially cold but it now has heating, and she has not seen the castle's rumored ghost.

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workplace. At Easter, the staff on the ground floor handed out
chocolate bunnies to the occupants, which is a lovely gesture.
I also enjoy the perk of using the bar at the top of the building
to socialise with friends. The views across London aren’t too
shabby either!
Which other elements of city life do you enjoy?
I enjoy the variety of restaurants the city has to offer. I also like
that, amongst all the high rise office blocks, I have Spitalfields
Market a short walk away.
Which elements of city life do you not enjoy?
The wind pressure at street level surrounding the Gherkin is
crazy! Even on the sunniest of days it’s so windy, I always have
to keep a shawl at work. There are not many outside spots to
have lunch. Parks fill up so quickly you have to be quick. Also,
high street shops are few and far between. My husband has
noticed the lack of shopping bags I come home with since mov-
ing from Oxford Street to the city!
As a PA what is the most unusual thing you have
been asked to do?
Smuggle chocolate! One year I was asked by a partner to buy
a pack of tennis balls, cut them open and hide chocolate inside
and post to the US to his daughter who was in a Summer Camp
that had strict rules on junk food!
What have you done today?
So far today I have entered timesheets, finalised details of a sem-
inar Hunton & Williams is hosting tomorrow, uploaded a doc-
ument to a file sharing site,and ordered staff giftsfor participating
in Earth Day.
What's the one thing you'd like to change about
being a PA?
The ability to work flexible hours and the option to work from
home on days when it’s possible. As a full time working mum
it would be nice to sometimes have the option to work from
home. I am lucky that Hunton & Williams is supportive of work-
ing parents and offers floating hours and parental leave.
Would you consider a role outside of central
London without the daily commute?
I would consider a role outside London if the salary was matched.
Sadly if you move away from London the same role can pay less
than half of what the city and the West End can offer.
AMANDA FASGE
PA, Hunton & Williams, The Gherkin, London
How did you land your current role?
I landed the role at Hunton & Williams when one of the part-
ners I supported moved to the firm. I remained at the old firm
for a while and then I contacted him to see what opportunities
there were at Hunton & Williams. He told me to send my CV
to the director of administration, and after doing so I went
through the interview process and started in January this year.
Who do you support and how?
I currently support seven fee earners (three partners, one con-
sultant and three associates). My work can range from book-
ing multiple city trips for eight travellers to more mundane tasks.
After 14 years in this field, there’s not much that surprises me
when it comes to work requests.
What do you love most about your job?
The variety of projects I can put myself forward for. Unlike other
PA/Legal Secretary roles I’ve had in the past, this role allows
me to get involved in things like office events, event co-ordi-
nation, social committee etc. When workload allows, it’s a nice
way to break up day-to-day work.
What’s it like working in the iconic Gherkin
Building?
Exciting! I always feel proud to walk through the doors each day.
Especially when there are tourists outside taking photos of my
“I always feel proud to walk through
the doors each day. Especially when
there are tourists outside taking photos
of my workplace.”

2. 25MAY/JUNE 2015 | www.ExEcUtivEPA.cOM
How did you land your current role?
After I had my second child I started looking for a new job but
as a mother of two I could only work part time. I had all but
stopped looking for a PA role, however one day I thought I would
check an agency website I was registered with and there it was.
Who do you support and how?
I support Jamie McIntyre, he is the owner of Sorn Castle and
also works full time for an investment bank. I keep Jamie organ-
ised in his busy day-to-day life. He has many hobbies includ-
ing historic motor racing and boating and a lot of time is spent
working on logistics of where Jamie and the car need to be either
abroad or the UK. One day I can be researching holidays and
flights, the next be helping set up for weddings, corporate events
or the shoots we hold at the castle. I also work on the day of any
events we host.
I work closely with the Estate Factor who runs the estate, and
the Castle Manager who deals with the overall organisation of
the events we hold. It is great to see a happy bride or a team
of work colleagues having great fun at the castle, fishing, clay
pigeon shooting or indeed pheasant and partridge shooting in
the season.
What do you love most about your job?
Being a working mother one of the best things for me is that it
It’s all about location, location, location this issue, as two PAs – one
working in the city of London, and one working from a Scottish castle – reveal all
about their careers by Maria Fuller
INTERVIEW
FRANCES MURRAY
PA to Jamie McIntyre, owner of Sorn Castle,
Ayrshire, Scotland
“The castle started as a Keep during the
reign of Edward III, it is in this area that it is
said the ghost of a young maid roams, with
green slime dripping from her. Legend has it
she was pushed from the battlements into
the River Ayr by a disgruntled butler.”
is extremely flexible, I work from home a lot and when I go to
the castle I even take my dog and sometimes even my children!
What’s it like working in a castle?
It used to be very cold! When I first started I had to wear three
layers of clothes as even with the heating on, it just never felt
warm! Thankfully we now have a new biomass boiler so we are
all enjoying the heat!
Every room has something interesting to look at, a ceiling
rose, a magnificent crystal chandelier or beautiful antique, who
could ask for more from their work surroundings!
Does the castle have a resident ghost and have you
seen it?
Of course we do! The castle started as a Keep during the reign
of Edward III, it is in this area that it is said the ghost of a young
maid roams, with green slime dripping from her. Legend has
it she was pushed from the battlements into the River Ayr by
a disgruntled butler. I’m glad I didn’t work for him! Thankfully
I’ve not seen the ghost!
As a PA what is the most unusual thing you have
been asked to do?
Jamie gets invited to many weird and wonderful events and at
one stage on my to do list was – ‘buy a gimp suit’!
What have you done today?
I have taxed a car; booked a flight to London; spoken to the
housekeeper about polishing the silver and brass; shown a newly
engaged couple around the castle and marquee who are inter-
ested in getting married here; spoken to last year’s brides and
their photographers to see if we can use some of their photos
in our new brochure’ updated the social media pages; and reg-
istered Jamie for a race at Silverstone in July.
What's the one thing you'd like to change about
being a PA?
Just sometimes it would be nice to switch off and not check
emails and texts or have a panic when you realise you have left
your mobile in another room!
Do you miss working in a corporate environment?
In a word – No! E