Testimonials
Mary has worked as our Office Manager since 2015. I cannot recommend her highly enough. She is well-organised, efficient, completely unflappable and very committed and hard-working. Added to that, she is good with clients and they all like and respond extremely well to her. As a colleague, she is very easy to work with – she is generous in spirit, good-natured, funny and, all in all, a fantastic person to have around. I would recommend her to anyone, without reservation.
Heather Greatrex, Director, Executive Action
Debs is a breath of fresh air to work with. Organised and no nonsense, she gets things done with a minimum of fuss. What sets her apart is her ability to handle complex projects and high profile events and people. She does this with great diplomacy and a sense of humour. She’s been absolutely invaluable to work with.
Jacqueline Davies, Past Master of the Guild of HR Professionals, Board Adviser, Author and NED
Debbie has been a total “Godsend” to me and I cannot imagine how I ever coped without her! I am a non-executive director and board committee chair on a number of financial services boards. I also do consulting and have a very busy professional and private life with student sons, a place in town, a partner in the country and an extensive network of friends and family in the UK and abroad. Debbie has brought order and calm to my diary and my life with all its demands. She has also made things so much easier for anyone who has to deal with me. She is professional, trustworthy, confidential and intelligent. She has a very good way with people and has slipped in to my professional and personal network seamlessly. She will do whatever it takes to get the job done and nothing is too much trouble. She is incredibly well organised, efficient and responsive and she has enabled me to concentrate on what I am good at without having to worry about any of the rest. I know she has other clients but somehow she manages to give the impression that I am her only client! I cannot recommend her services as a virtual PA highly enough. Thanks Debs!”
Mary Phibbs, Non-Executive Director, Morgan Stanley
“Mary Alder-Bentley worked with me for two years, beginning as cover for seven weeks in June 2011. As well as my role as Chief Financial Officer of Novae Group Plc, a listed, FSA-regulated insurance company, I am also Chairman of the Audit Committee and a non-executive director of Rathbone Brothers Plc, an FSA-regulated private wealth management business with a UK banking operation. In addition to as assisting me in these respects Mary also provided secretarial and administrative assistance for a number of my senior reports within the finance function.
Mary has been one of the most effective, productive and responsive people I have worked with over the past 25 years. She has slotted seamlessly into a relatively complex business and worked quickly to gain the trust and respect of those with whom she has worked. Her secretarial work is highly accurate. Her administrative planning and support has been exceptional. It has been a pleasure to work with her.
Mary would be an asset to any organisation through her quiet but determined efficiency, attention to detail and work rate. I wish her the best in the future. ”
Oliver Corbett, Non-Executive Director (Rathbone Brothers PLC)
I had the pleasure of working with Debbie and Mary for just over a year, and am pleased to be able to give a reference for their excellent work.
Both are motivated, thorough, attentive to detail, and importantly personable to work with. Over the past few months, both Debbie and Mary have been working on a number of HR-related projects that have required a high degree of accuracy, sensitivity and self motivation. The work has been key in underpinning a number of the learning and development and employee information management initiatives within the HR function. What is pleasing is the degree of drive to get things done, as well as the common sense approach and desire to come to me with suggested solutions to issues. The work has been completed with minimal supervision and minimal fuss, and always to high standard. I have no hesitation in recommending their work.
Jonathan Sparham, Head of HR Operations
“Whilst diary and document management are vital skills, it is anticipating issues, planning and problem solving which sets Pride Virtual PA Services apart from the rest. For busy people who just need to get on, their service is a Godsend!”
John F Renz, HR Director
“Mary is a practical, dedicated and efficient PA. She is a good communicator, both verbal and written. She is totally discreet, motivated and hard-working and importantly has a warm sense of humour.”
Manish Chande, Senior Partner (Mountgrange Investment Management LLP)
“Debs is a great all rounder; efficient, friendly and approachable. Very down to earth, excellent telephone manner and always did what was required in a timely manner.
She is great in a crisis and always goes that extra mile. She will never let you down.
I cannot thank her enough for the help that she has given our business.”
Paul Cox, Company Director (K&P Insulation)
“Mary was my PA for about five years. At all times she completed her work efficiently, without fuss and was completely trustworthy.
She certainly inspired great confidence that I was “looked after” as her tidy mind enabled ongoing issues to be settled effectively and on time e.g. arranging meetings, filing, payment of bills and all the other minutiae which are the domain of a first class PA.
I can, without question, recommend her.”
Martin Myers, Senior Partner (Mountgrange Investment Management LLP)
“I have worked with Debs for over five years and know that I can always rely on her to give me the best possible service.
Nothing is too much trouble and she has always understood the urgency that our field of work requires.
I would recommend her to any company that needs someone who is friendly, hardworking, understanding and will always go that extra mile.”
Darren Tucker, Director (DT Insulation)
“Mary has provided an exceptional standard of support to a large team with varying workloads and priorities. She is extremely organised and efficient and a pleasure to work with at all times. She has been a particular asset in arranging executive meetings and travel, investor presentations and in administering electronic board systems.”
Teresa Furmston LLB ACIS Group Company Secretary