Clients Testimonials
Trusted by companies and entrepreneurs
Ally worked directly for me for 15 years. To give an idea of the extent of her job, I was responsible for one of the largest UK companies, circa. 50,000 employees. I had a range of not for profit/public commitments - for example chairing the House of Lords Appointments Commission, for ten years Chairman of the Trustees of the Tate Gallery, for six years Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Information and Communication Technology. Ally was responsible for every aspect of my life, managing my personal staff, support services, running my very complex schedule etc. She was formidable at her job as well as being a very agreeable colleague. Anyone who engages her services will be very lucky. I am happy to give further detailed feedback if required, but for the moment, it is perhaps only necessary to say that she is first rate in every respect.
Lord Stevenson of Coddenham
Since 2008 Ally has been involved in the organisation and management of the Franco-British Colloque of which I was the UK Chair from 2014-2020. The Colloque is a high level conference which brings together representatives from business, finance, public policy and the media at the most senior level. Ally has sole responsibility for all the delegate and speaker arrangements. She handles her role with great poise, energy and care for detail. Ally also manages with great sensitivity our contacts with cabinet ministers and CEOs, whose offices regularly commend the style and efficiency of her work. In addition to the delegate management she also organises the work of the UK Colloque Committee (which makes decisions about the conference agenda and invitees), arranging all our meetings, producing agendas, advance papers and minutes and ensuring effective follow up. Ally’s conscientiousness, capability and unflappable nature is an essential part of what makes each Colloque a great success. I cannot commend her highly enough.
Lord Turner of Ecchinswell, previous UK Chair, Franco-British Colloque
Ally is a world-class VA, very professional and experienced at working with the most senior leaders. She has an ability to make you feel that you are the only person that she looks after. Ally manages her workload to ensure everyone’s requirements are met – nothing is too much trouble. It’s a pleasure to work with Ally, she’s personable, engaging and brings a human side to her interactions.
Emma Avignon, CEO
Mentore Consulting LLP
Ally slipped seamlessly into my portfolio life, helping me to prioritise, at a time when I was struggling to make sense of it myself. She helps me navigate between my different roles (and time zones), with good humour and endless patience. Nothing phases her. She is used to connecting with high level people but is equally charming to people from all walks of life. She makes me feel as if I am her only client while I am eternally grateful she fits me in at all.
Baroness Camilla Cavendish
Harvard University Senior Fellow, FT columnist, former head of Number Ten Policy Unit
I met Ally when she was working for a senior FTSE board colleague and when I needed a remote assistant to manage my often challenging diary I immediately turned to Ally. She works remotely but is very present and we have worked well together over a number of years. Her experience of managing changing diary and travel commitments, together with her ability to build relationships across businesses even when she has never met people in person, has been invaluable to me in my non-executive life.
Karen Thomson
NED & Entrepreneur
Ally supports me in my role as CEO & Founder of the Professional Boards Forum; she is a valuable member of my team. Ally always shows professionalism and warmth, her organisational and communications skills are superb, she is always one step ahead. She is a great asset to my organisation.
Elin Hurvenes
CEO Professional Boards Forum