PA to Chairman (FTC)

Full Job Description

From day one, our mission has been to create an independent business with a unique culture – one that is controlled by the people who work for it. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people has always been key to our success. 

People come to Howden for lots of different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. That’s what sets us apart, and why we nurture and retain the best talent in the market. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and proactive Private Personal Assistant (PA) to work for the Executive Chairman of Howden, a multinational insurance business. This unique position encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, covering both personal and professional aspects of the Executive Chairman's life. Based on a beautiful Estate near Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, the PA will play a pivotal role in organizing, managing, and optimizing various aspects of the Chairman and their Family’s life, estate, and private affairs.

This is a maternity cover for 1 year, with a start date in April 2024, through to May 2025, based near Stow-on-the-Wold Gloucestershire.

Key Responsibilities:

Administrative Support:

• Assist in planning, organising, and supporting internal and external meetings.
• Proactively contribute to the arrangement of meeting agendas and notes.
• Aid in organising business and personal schedules, including travel and accommodation bookings.

Estate Management:

• Coordinate household expenditure, petty cash, and payroll for household staff.
• Manage the purchasing of household items as required.

Finance and Expenditure Management:

• Prepare monthly household expenditure/cost reports for various properties.
• Ensure timely payment of insurance premiums and maintain accurate records of new purchases for insurance purposes.
• Oversee payments related to household and car affairs, including council tax, car tax, and ground rent.
• Manage all necessary banking and online payments, staff payroll, and petty cash.
• Assist with auction registrations, purchases, and transportation requirements.
• Provide necessary information for tax purposes
• Create yearly forecasts of accounts to facilitate financial planning.

Qualifications and Skills :

• Proven experience as a Personal Assistant or in a similar role.
  • Some experience working with families would be great, but isn’t a necessity.
  • Experience working as part of a wider team is a must.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a high degree of professionalism and efficiency.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Some level of financial management experience.
• Proficient in both paper and electronic filing systems.
• Strong IT skills.
• Exceptional time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Our Culture: People First

We’ve travelled far since opening our first office in 1994. Back then we were local experts – based in London, with direct access to the world’s biggest insurance market. We’re still locals, and we still deliver the right advice and the right insurance to our clients. But now, we’re local all over the world. With 15,000 global colleagues and a partner network spanning more than 100 territories, we are the largest independent insurance broker in the world. But our values haven’t changed since day one, when we set out to create a company grounded in:

•    An employee-ownership model 
•    Aligned external investors
•    The trust and integrity born of friendship
•    Expertise
•    Independence

Our focus on being a people-first business has always been at the very heart of Howden. Our vision was to create an independent business with a unique culture; one that would survive and thrive as a business controlled by the people working for it. Our employee ownership model sets us apart in the market. It’s created a culture of collaboration and innovation, where we’re driven to think bigger and empowered to challenge convention. 

Our flat structure and entrepreneurial spirit help us attract the best people and empower them to be the best version of themselves. And when we bring in and nurture great talent, more follows. That makes us better – and that’s better for everyone. 

Diversity & Inclusion

At Howden we consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness and respect, regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or family circumstances.