Karen Wright Email & Phone Number

Harpenden, Gb

Harpenden, England, United Kingdom

Harpenden

Supporting the Director in her day-to-day responsibilities overseeing the following groups:- Communication & Public Engagement- Knowledge Exchange & Commercialisation- Alliances & Partnerships- Grants & International

Harpenden, Hertfordshire

Providing PA support to the Associate Director of Science Innovation & Head of AgroEcology plus departmental support at the largest agricultural research centre in the UK. Its scientific research ranges from studies of genetics, biochemistry, cell biology and soil processes to investigations at the ecosystem and landscape scale.

Worked collaboratively with project managers, account managers and designers to bring creative concepts to life and deliver high quality projects which exceeded clients’ expectations. Responsibilities included: Workflow management; sourcing freelancers and suppliers; preparing quotations; purchasing; budget control; proof reading; checking deliveries; timesheet processing; stock control, purchasing of materials, stationery and general office house-keeping.During this time also held additional position as Internal Communications Administrator, responsible for running the values based Company staff recognition scheme, creating monthly news bulletins and organising quarterly Company meetings and ad hoc Company social events.

Duties included: Electronic diary management; call and mail screening; preparing & composing correspondence and processing expenses; organising meetings; preparing documentation and PowerPoint presentations for meetings; preparing agenda and taking minutes at management meetings; visitor hospitality; organising business travel and preparing itineraries; organising company events (overseas conference, Christmas parties etc.).Additional role of Marketing Co-Ordinator, helping to drive the Group’s marketing activities, including: direct mail campaigns, web presence, industry award entries, press and media liaison, joint marketing ventures with suppliers/venues, advertising and exhibitions.

Involved in all aspects of selling a corporate event, from taking the initial customer enquiry through to event confirmation.Duties included: Venue searching; sourcing suppliers and obtaining quotes; writing proposals and progress chasing the client; event venue inspections with clients; client hospitality on live events; compiling sales profit forecasts; diary management; call & mail screening; preparing correspondence and processing expenses.

Joined the Company as a junior secretary. Promoted after 2 years to the position of Personal Assistant to the Technical Director, Business Development Director, Sales & Marketing Director and Operations Manager and given the additional role of Proposal Co-ordinator. Received a further promotion in 1994 to the position of Personal Assistant to the Group Managing Director/CEO.Responsibilities during career at VEGA included:Liaising with Company stockbrokers and PR consultants to arrange meetings with institutional investors and City analysts and to co-ordinate Company press statements.Administration during Company’s flotation on the London Stock Exchange in 1992.Liaising with the board of directors and divisional directors on day-to-day matters.Organising and minute taking at management board meetings. Arranging customer meetings and visitor hospitality.Maintaining corporate presentation material in conjunction with the graphics department.Diary management, call & mail screening, preparing correspondence, processing expenses.Timesheet processing and preparation of monthly reports for staff on mission at the European Space Agency. Stationery and office equipment purchasing.Organising Company events (Christmas & Summer parties plus celebratory events).Contracts administration.Proposal Co-ordination – maintaining log of incoming ITT’s, assisting with proposal preparation, ensuring deadlines were met and compiling sales figures/forecasts.

Private Secretary'S Certificate

Education record