Suzanne Kershaw Email & Phone Number

Dubai, Ae

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Business Support | Project Management | Virtual Assistance | Email Management | Diary Management | Project Management | Event Management | Recruitment Currently assist entrepreneurs and business owners so that they can focus on what they do best, and I take care of the more time consuming administrative tasks and problem solving, with the added advantage of experience in Recruitment services.Previous experience as an Office Manager/Facilities Manager which incorporated alot of responsibility, and also as an enthusiastic Senior Executive Assistant supporting C level executives within the Banking and Law Industry, I look to bring my hard-working ethics and my wealth of experience to support entrepreneurs and business owners.• Diary Management• Email Management• Expense Management• Event Management • Project Management• Invoicing and basic accounting• Travel & Accommodation Management• Travel itineraries• UAE Visa processing• Document control and file management• Trade License updates and renewals

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Full responsibility for managing the office, assisting with research for delivery of recruitment from initial candidate management of Executive Assistant roles, Legal Secretaries, Office Managers and support staff, along with various HR roles, and roles required by our clients in order for them to excel in their business, mainly within Management Consultancies.Executive AssistantsSenior Executive Assistant with Russian & GermanLegal Consultant AssistantBusiness Continuity ManagerASSIGNMENTS:Business Assistant to HNWIOn a retained contract for a HNWI Property Developer with no experience in Dubai, I had responsibility for setting up his new business entity was being set up as quickly and efficiently as possible. Carried out all HR Operational aspects, including the recruitment of relevant staff, management of new joiners with my knowledge of UAE laws.Managed finances, tracking payments, setting up bank accounts for the new entity and ensured that everything was compliant, as well as setting authorisation procedures. Advised on various different regulations in UAE and offered any advice for operational activities within the region, and navigated the best outcomes in the least amount of time.Office Manager/Legal SecretarySeconded to work with a Regional Law Firm for a Contract to support Partners with day to day tasks.Managed new client relationships, dealing with KYC and conflicts of interest as well as all compliance requirements.Consulted heavily with Partners and the Finance department in managing the billing processes, reviewing client queries and ensuring that all explanations of cases were clear and concise.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

As a result of an internal promotion to Office Manager, responsible for the complete Office Management of the Dubai office with an office of 30 staff, as well as offices in Bahrain, Doha & Riyadh. Provided Leadership and day to day training and guidance along with strategic direction to a team in Dubai Office with other reports in Bahrain and Qatar, ensuring that all internal KPI's & SLA's were adhered to.Facilities / Office Management - Managed the full breadth of Facilities Management and office space, including lease/rent negotiations, new suppliers and contractors, including stationary, insurances and office equipment in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain & Riyadh.Drove cost savings across accommodation expenses for GCC and streamlined further costs through identifying and negotiating with existing Vendors, alongside potential new vendors with more favourable costs and payment terms.Event Management - Improved internal communication as a result of the introduction of company lunches, quarterly evenings out and a family inclusive gathering for Christmas, Secret Santa initiative, which led to a more fun environment and more open communication between teams and fostered more teamwork, improving staff retention and interaction.Human Resources Operations - HR Support in Dubai Office▫ All aspects of onboarding recruitment and resolving employee queries▫ Led all Residence Visa applications and ensuring they were compliant, consulted with PRO and contacted necessary government authorities. 100% compliance with zero fines.▫ Identified specific training gaps for employee skill developments▫ Oversaw all lawyer training obligations in line with external regulatory requirements▫ HR Management for grievances and performance reviews for my teamInvoice Management - Responsibility for all aspects of supplier relationships, ensuring Invoices were correct and consulting with Finance to ensure that all costs were allocated accordingly and correct in ERP system.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Supported CEO and consulted closely with all Partners and networked with all other Departments to ensure effective execution of strategic projects. Ensured that all the CEO’s priorities were taken care of and all deadlines met.Full diary management, with liaison for both internal & external meetings and ensuring a comprehensive understanding of all business requirements. Involved in constantly changing priorities according to the demands of the business.Travel arrangements with meticulous attention to detail within GCC, Europe, and US with very specific airlines, hotels and ground transportation as would be expected at this high level. Provided administrative and travel support to CEO’s family when required, also including organizing children’s birthday parties.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Hectic diary management and inbox management for General Manager, including proactively arranging Client meetings when travelling to maximize time.Acted as internal gatekeeper and proactively managed his calendar to ensure that his time was spent in vital meetings and asking relevant questions from internal colleagues to delay any meetings which were non time critical. Dealt with confidential information discreetly.Led travel arrangements and visa applications within GCC, such as Kuwait, Doha, Damman, Jeddah & Riyadh, and made regular last minute changes, fully familiar with time zone differences.Expenses Management for General Manager and approved expenses for his all direct reports, ensuring they are within policy and informing them when they are not.Organised quarterly Townhalls and organized Leadership Team Events to maximize team spirit to help build stronger relationships internally.Run internal communications across the business within High Growth Region on behalf of General Manager.Processed various Invoices in SAP and managed all approvals for General Manager from his direct reports, and raised PO's.Organisation of allocated Meeting Rooms for Leadership Team.Organised signatures for Power of Attorney and ensured Legal Department had authorized before releasing any documents.Dealt with strong personalities and able to challenge when necessary in an appropriate manner.

London

Complex diary management for Managing Director, Head of Capital Markets / London General Manager, including responsibility for arranging Board Level meetings. Ensured he had everything organised for his meetings. Ability to understand which meetings can be rescheduled and which needed to take place urgently.Inbox management, and highlighted any issues by using my initiative. Reminded him of anything that may need acting upon. I also organised anything resulting from reading the emails and generally was proactive. Also acted as a gatekeeper and kept any unnecessary callers from reaching him.Organised Global travel in various time zones, whilst looking at most cost effective ways to travel and to stay within budgets and arranged any necessary ground transportation when required. Prepared detailed itineraries for all travel.Lead on Client Event Management and staff entertainment, including organising London branch Christmas functions between 2012 to 2014, which also included visiting and selecting potential suitable venues.Mentored other Executive Assistants in the firm in London and supported on unresolved issues and queries.Organised Floor moves, ensuring costs management was within/under budget.Guest services representative for Board members/VIP guests visiting from other offices and ensured their needs were met. Also made all arrangements when Clients / Auditors visited. Liaised with PA's globally for any arrangements.Key achievements:Involvement in many projects, for example following the termination of outsourcing Facilities Management, I established cleaning and maintenance contracts, regulated the fire extinguisher equipment and ensured we were in compliance with regulations. Managed room booking services, and supplier relationships. I also conducted workstation assessments and engaged in IT Projects.Budget negotiations: Reviewed costs within the business, negotiated lower costs and provided solutions, including the box at 02 Stadium

London, United Kingdom

Extensive Diary management for MD, Head UK Sales P&I & 2 other MD’sOrganised extensive client meetings and entertainmentArranged large meetings with senior personnel on a regular basisOrganised global travel, with intricate business trips to New York, Asia and various European destinationsPrepared detailed itineraries and arranged meetings in the necessary offices, liaising with different Secretaries globallyOn-boarded several new starters and ensured they were set up correctlyDeveloped & built good relationships throughout the Bank ensuring queries were dealt with in a timely mannerProcessed expenses & Invoices for my team and resolved any queries with policiesActed as gatekeeper and directed calls accordingly for the team and resolved any queriesBooked cars, organised couriers, booked meeting rooms & audio-conferences

London, United Kingdom

Extensive Diary management for Head of Product & Head of TaxArranged large meetings with senior personnel on a regular basis and ensured the appropriate paperwork is supplied at meetingsOrganised global travel, with intricate business trips to New York and various European destinationsPrepared detailed itineraries and arranged meetings in the necessary offices, liaising with different Secretaries globallyDeveloped and built strong working relationships with other global offices Process expenses for my team and answer any queriesProcess Invoices and solve any queriesAnswer the telephone and direct the calls accordingly for the teamSet up new filing systemBook cars, organise couriers, book meeting rooms, audio-conferences & shared presentations on ‘My Meeting’Generally be proactive and plan ahead

Turkey

Sold properties in various different areas of Turkey to mainly investorsBuilt strong relationships with clients who were here for 3-5 daysTrained to listen to clients requirements and provide valuable information as a Property AdvisorRequired to complete various administration in order that it could be sent in time to Head Office in ManchesterCompleted expenses forms for every client

London, United Kingdom

Worked on the Trading Floor in Fixed Income as an Executive Assistant covering 6 Managing Directors, for Global Exotics, Non-Linear Europe & Japan / Euro FI Linear Trading, IR Options / DCRM, and Securitisation Derivatives. Alongside, supporting a team of 84• Diary management for Managing Directors• Arranged large meetings with very senior personnel on a regular basis and ensured the appropriate paperwork was supplied for meetingsOrganised global travel and organised intricate business trips to New York, Japan, Hong Kong & Singapore as well as numerous European destinationsPrepared detailed itineraries and arranged meetings in the necessary offices and liaised with various Secretaries globallyDeveloped and built strong working relationships with other global offices Arranged interviews with Head-hunters for London / New York / Tokyo / Hong KongProcessed expenses for my team of 84 on Concur Answered dealer board and directed calls accordinglyBooked cars, organised couriers, booking meeting rooms, video-conferences, audio-conferences, and a small amount of filing

Greater London, England, United Kingdom

Originally employed on a short term temporary basis within the Pension Funds and Life Funds department and was promptly offered the position on a permanent basisSupported a team of seven, including 2 Senior Fund Managers Extensive diary management for team of 7Complex travel arrangements Typing of personal correspondence and dealing with personal matters, organising taxis, and going through postArranging various meetings with clients, Lawyers and Agents on their behalfResponsible for comprehensive Barclaycard and cash expenses and ensuring they are correct and in accordance with relevant guidelinesResponsible for all Board Authorities for Funds, ensuring they are promptly put into the system and distributed to the correct individuals, which is especially important for new acquisitions, along with dealing with Lawyers who may require copies before exchange or completionResponsible for sealing of legal documents and obtaining authorised signatures for each FundBinding of documentsOrganised couriers and booked meeting roomsFire Warden, completed my training in October 2005

London, United Kingdom

Bromley, United Kingdom

Harrogate, England, United Kingdom

Executive Residential Letting Company first started as a Personal Assistant to Proprietor then promoted to Property Management SupervisorDealt with both Tenants and Landlords urgent enquiresThe drawing up and dealing with Housing Act 1988 Tenancy Agreements and Ordinary Contractual Tenancy Agreements Responsible for the smooth running of the Property Management Department and delegated duties to ensure all tight deadlines were metRecruiting new employees In 1999 promoted to Company Director Responsible for ensuring the smooth running of all Departments and that any problems were dealt with promptly Involved in the monthly and year-end targets and financial aspects of the business helping me understand the running of a company