BVCA Advanced Skills for Personal and Executive Assistants

BVCA Advanced Skills for Personal and Executive Assistants
Delivered by Debrett’s
Debrett’s Training & Classes
Knowledge
Style
Success
With almost 250 years of expertise, Debrett's is uniquely placed to share its knowledge of etiquette
and British style.
Combining interactive and contemporary training methods with long-established expertise, Debrett’s
advanced skills business training for personal and executive assistants, is available through BVCA to
personal and executive assistants working within private equity and venture capital.
Debrett’s Professional Development Programmes for
Personal and Executive Assistants
Personal and executive assistants are often responsible for the first impression of an executive or business.
Their efficiency, seamless professionalism and expertise enhance the image of the business, add value and
create opportunities.
Ensure first impressions and personal presentation are polished, understand the subtleties of business
etiquette, build rapport to facilitate networking and establish confident use of titles, forms of address and
correct form written correspondence.
‘I can definitely say it is the best course I have attended in a long while.’
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive, Private Equity Firm, March 2014
Debrett’s Professional Development Programmes for
Personal and Executive Assistants
Debrett's advanced skills business training for personal and executive assistants ensures delegates have
the expertise and confidence to represent business executives professionally.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
The programme is delivered over two days, from 10am – 4pm, at Debrett’s in Mayfair
Programmes include certification and a personalised hardback handbook
Maximum of 10 delegates per programme
Course fee: £1,300 plus VAT per delegate
Course dates: 24th and 25th November 2014
Debrett’s delivery incorporates a range of opportunities for enjoyable and experiential learning,
including role play with actors, team activities, visits, tours and competitions. The programme is
conducted by a team of tutors with vast experience and depth of expertise.
Debrett’s for Personal and Executive Assistants
Day 1
Professionalism, polish and attention to detail are key to representing your executive and your
brand successfully. Learn how to build rapport with clients and contacts effectively, become the
trusted source for correct forms of address and understand the importance of balancing
formality and familiarity in a professional setting.
• 
• 
• 
• 
First impressions – professional introductions, personal polish and being a valuable brand
ambassador
Correct form communication – etiquette for telephone, conference calls and business
meetings
Business correspondence – correct form for business letters, professional emails and
business cards, with common grammatical and language errors
Forms of address – titles and correct form for written correspondence and verbal address
‘Trust to represent executives and often make decisions; surely PAs are the secret weapon of many great leaders’
Harvard Business School
Debrett’s for Personal and Executive Assistants
Day 2
Exceed expectations in your role as business ambassador, ensure your professional
etiquette and use of complex correct forms of address is always impeccable. Host clients
with grace, organise high profile corporate events and handle challenging situations with
poise and diplomacy, always leaving a positive impression.
• 
• 
• 
• 
First impressions – dress codes for all professional occasions
Effective networking – optimising opportunities, nurturing relationships, pre-event
research to support your executive
Business etiquette – balancing formality and familiarity, understanding hidden
hierarchies, dealing with challenging situations and attention to detail – from
avoiding compliment slips to serving refreshments
Event management – planning, implementing and organising, including correct
form for invitations, name badges, guest lists and place cards
‘At senior levels, the return on investment from a skilled assistant can be substantial’
Robert Pozen
Debrett’s Expert Panel
Louise Ruell – Director of Training
Louise Ruell is a graduate of Durham University and a qualified teacher. Previously
an officer in the Royal Air Force and a Training Consultant for the Special Forces,
Louise has now brought her skills of experiential learning to the delivery of
Debrett’s training programmes.
Countess Alexander of Tunis
Davina Alexander was educated at Hatherop Castle School in Gloucestershire.
Aged 19 she became Lady-in-Waiting to HRH Princess Margaret, a post she
held for 27 years. She advised on protocol and dealt with correspondence and
official visits in the UK and overseas.
Lady Celestria Noel
Lady Celestria Noel attended St Hilda’s College Oxford, where she read English. A
writer and editor for many publications, she was ‘Jennifer’ of Harpers & Queen and
reported on social events all over the world.
Debrett’s Expert Panel
James Field
A graduate of Southampton University, James worked in luxury retail and on
Savile Row for many years. His knowledge of tailoring, etiquette and styling
has led to being quoted widely in the media. James is also an active blogger.
Jo Bryant
Jo Bryant was educated at Benenden and has conceptualised and
co-authored many books for Debrett’s. She is an acknowledged expert on
contemporary manners and etiquette and is regularly quoted in the media on
these matters.
Katherine Lewis
A graduate of St Catherine’s College Oxford, Katherine specialises in coaching
the psychology of social interaction, confident communications and interview
technique. Her professional experience allows her to facilitate role play
techniques, enriching programme delivery.
Debrett’s Expert Panel
Sarah Elton
Having trained with John Lewis, Sarah Elton joined Smythson of Bond Street in
1991 becoming Managing Director by the age of 29 and leading a management
buy out in 1998. Sarah is an expert in luxury retail, elite customer experience,
etiquette and correct form.
Charles Kidd
Charles Kidd was educated at St Peter’s York and joined Debrett’s in 1977,
becoming the editor of Peerage & Baronetage in 1980 (the ninth editor since
the death of John Debrett in 1822). Charles is an expert on genealogy with a
deep and scholarly knowledge of British aristocratic families and their history.
Liz Wyse
A graduate of New Hall College Cambridge, Liz gained a postgraduate
scholarship to the University of Massachusetts to study for an MA in American
Literature. Her expertise encompasses traditional correct forms of address and
Season events.
Debrett’s Professional Development Programmes for Personal
and Executive Assistants
‘I found it incredible. The teaching, the interaction, the information provided, the honest notes of improvement to each
candidate was honourable and much appreciated…Keep doing what you’re doing. You really are the experts.’
EA to Chief Executive, Venture Capital Firm
‘After attending the programme is was clear that this training is applicable to all levels and experiences. It provides
unique teaching content and focuses on the softer skills that make an assistant really stand out.’
EA to Chief Executive, Global Luxury Brand
‘The course material was relevant, detailed and covered many areas…Lady Celestria, Louise and James were strong
course instructors. They had excellent credentials, were sharp and observant, explained things clearly, illustrated points
with good examples, gave constructive comments, and did it all with humour… This is a good quality course, I would
recommend it to PAs of top executives.’
PA to Partner, Accountancy Firm
‘The content and setting are excellent. The intimacy enabled the time and attention for each candidate to participate,
interact, and very much learn from the expert tutors.’
PA to Chief Executive, Wealth Management Firm
Debrett’s Professional Development
for
Personal and Executive Assistants
“‘Many receive advice, only the wise profit from it.’
Harper Lee
Contact Details
Lisa Simpson
Director, Training & Events, BVCA
+44 (0)20 7420 1823
[email protected]
Louise Ruell
Director, Debrett’s
+44 (0)20 7290 5950
[email protected]