At first glance, we appear to be a training company that provides world-class training from the top trainers for the Administrative Profession in whatever format you might want or need it.
But that is not the whole story. Your perception of an archetypal publishing or training company is totally different to where we sit.
Our success is not just down to our products, it’s down to our core belief that we are here to serve each and every assistant, to ensure that you meet your full potential.
Our approach is to treat every assistant that we come into contact with as an individual and listen hard to find out how we can meet your needs.
We talk to thousands of you every year to ensure that we understand the market; the latest thinking, the skills you need to futureproof your career, your issues and how your workplace is changing.
We are passionate about changing the perception of the role so that businesses understand how to best utilise you. The Administrative Profession is now just that; a profession. For half a billion people globally, it’s a career – not just a job. We campaign globally for the recognition of you and your role as a professional.
To date we have connected over 100,000 assistants across the world. You become part of our global community, sharing ideas, best practice, solutions and inspiration. There is power in our hashtag #OneProfessionOneVoice.
And we try to do all of the above with integrity and authenticity – traits which are core to our founder, Lucy Brazier’s beliefs as to how a good business should operate.
As CEO of Marcham Publishing, specialist publishers of Executive Support Magazine – a global training magazine dedicated to the professional development needs of senior and aspiring administrative professionals – Lucy Brazier OBE works with the best trainers of Executive Assistants from around the world to deliver the most up to date and current training in the market.
Her passion is for the Assistant role to be truly recognised as a career and not just a job. Her formidable training expertise and speaking style have given her opportunities to train, present and emcee events in over 50 countries at over 450 events including Chairing the 2015 World Administrator Summit in Papua New Guinea and co-facilitating the same event in Frankfurt in 2018 and online in 2020.
This has created much-needed discussions ranging from encouraging Executive Assistants to work towards becoming centres of excellence within their companies, to explaining why college students should see the Assistant role as a proper profession with a career path. The work being conducted worldwide on career paths, job titles & education for Assistants is one of her key drivers and she is working with some of the most recognisable companies on the planet to consult on restructuring and training their Business Support functions.
Lucy has a unique overview of the role and where it is heading. With access to the most forward-thinking, passionate and knowledgeable trainers and administrative business leaders in the world as well as personally meeting and speaking to literally thousands of Assistants for more than a decade, Lucy’s knowledge of the market and what Assistants all over the world are facing on a day-to-day basis are second to none.
Lucy’s awards include an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021 for services to office professionals. She has also received an Honorary Fellowship to the Institute of Administrative Management (2018), the YPA Special Award ‘International Ambassador for the PA Profession’ (2016) & ‘PA Contributor of the Year Award’ by Office* Show (2015)
The magazine has been a finalist in the PPA Business Magazine of the Year Award, the PPA Media Brand of the Year Award and the PA-Assist Members Awards.
Lucy has worked in publishing for over 30 years. She has previously worked as a Publishing Director for Wilmington PLC as well as for EMAP, The Times, The Independent, Centaur Communications and Glass’s Guide.
Lucy Brazier OBE
CEO Marcham Publishing, Publishers of Executive Support Magazine
Lucy Brazier, OBE is one of the world’s leading authorities on the administrative profession.
As CEO of Marcham Publishing, specialist publishers of Executive Support Magazine, a global training magazine dedicated to the professional development needs of senior and aspiring administrative professionals, Lucy is passionate about ensuring the Assistant role is truly recognised as a career and not just a job.
Her formidable training expertise and speaking style have given her opportunities to train, present and emcee events in more than 50 countries at over 450 events.
Lucy has access to the most forward-thinking, passionate and knowledgeable trainers and administrative business leaders in the world, as well as personally meeting and speaking to literally thousands of Assistants for more than a decade, and her knowledge of the market and what Assistants all over the world are facing on a day-to-day basis is second to none.
In 2021, Lucy was awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to office professionals. She has also received an Honorary Fellowship to the Institute of Administrative Management – one of the oldest management institutes in the world, having inspired professional business managers and administrators since 1915 – in recognition of her work to drive the profession forward.
Outside of work: Lucy lives in beautiful Javea on the Costa Blanca. She is a lover of both cooking and eating good food, mother of three adults, wife to Duncan and a film/theatre/music addict.
Franziska Lielje
Office Manager and EA to Lucy Brazier OBE
Franziska Lielje is our new Office Manager and Executive Assistant to Lucy Brazier OBE. She has worked as an EA in Germany and in Jordan and has found her passion for supporting the administrative profession when joining the team here in Spain! Fran is a hardworking young woman with eyes and ears everywhere – making sure that things around the office run smoothly, while helping the team to be the best they can be.
Christian Russell
Training Director
Passionate about discovering your unique needs for personal and career development, and recommending training that will develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. Enjoys working with all stakeholders for the development of Administrative teams – listening and providing the solutions that will deliver and lead the individuals, team and entire organisation to success.
I find the rapidly changing, challenging and diverse role of the Assistant always provides me with a new challenge myself – the role can be quite different for each individual/organisation! Luckily, we work with all of the best trainers in the world, who are also there to help me find you exactly what you need.
My love of live events and travelling the world also fits quite nicely with the organisation of international world-class training events!
Previously a creative, imaginative and innovative event media professional (also helps with our events and all the exhibitions and conferences we attend!), I have found a new purpose in life helping thousands of Assistants to learn, prosper and grow in their careers over nearly 10 years with Executive Secretary Magazine.
Outside work: Husband to Juliette and Father to Juniper and Rafael, Arsenal Fan (Gooner!) and enjoys fine food, wine and beer!
Kathleen Drum
Senior Editor
Kathleen’s mission is to bring thought-provoking, timely and inspiring articles to administrative professionals around the world; empowering them not just to succeed in their roles, but to excel. As a former Assistant, Kathleen understands the issues and opportunities that face the profession, and the people within it. Her administrative experience ranges from the site office to the executive office and includes Crossrail, one of the largest construction projects in Europe, and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Outside work: A Kiwi living in London, exploring all the UK has to offer. Lover of theatre, art galleries, stately homes and champagne afternoon teas.
Marion Lowrence
Freelance Events Director, ES LIVE, Founder & Co-Director, The PA Hub
Marion is a multi-award winning former EA, winning Yorkshire PA of the Year in 2011 and Pitman International PA in 2012. With over 30 years of administrative experience her last role was as a senior EA in the education sector at Yorkshire Universities.
Marion now runs The PA Hub with her husband Jon in the North of England running over 35 events a year including networking events, development sessions, conferences, showcases and PA Awards.
Marion is Events Director for ES LIVE globally and represented the UK at the 2018 World Administrative Summit in Frankfurt. Marion continues to support and promote the profession internationally.
Outside work: Marion enjoys spending time with 4 lovely grandchildren, travelling, listening to music, singing along (loudly), good films, theatre, great food, pink gin and tonic.
Sophie Douglas
Sales Manager
Sophie Douglas is our Sales Manager. Running the office in Spain when Lucy is off doing her thing is no mean feat! But if anyone can do it, Sophie can!
Once the youngest person to be given a manager’s role at Brook Street recruitment agency, Sophie’s tenacity and drive ensures that our clients get that personal one to one service with regular phone calls and updates.
Strong as an ox but with a heart of gold Sophie works hard to get the best out of both herself and her team.
Elaine Williams
Account Manager
Elaine Williams has worked as a buyer for some of the best-known retailers in the UK, sourcing new worldwide suppliers; negotiating terms of trading and agreeing the most competitive costs.
She moved to Spain just over a year ago and we are delighted that she has joined us as one of the new sales team, dealing particularly with North America.
Don’t let her quiet demeanour fool you. Elaine is a force to be reckoned with and is already making a huge impact with our clients in North America.
Ana Fawdry
Account Manager
Ana Fawdry has worked in customer relations in some form since moving to Spain six years ago with her husband and two children . Originally from Madrid, she moved to the UK at a young age and speaks both languages perfectly. Previous to joining the team at Executive Support, she worked in film and television so has plenty of experience in thinking on her feet and being productive! Although dealing primarily with the North American market, Ana is comfortable speaking to anyone and everyone so always feel free to pick up the phone and give her a call if you have any queries!
Justin Roach
Events Director
Justin, our Events Director, is originally from the sunny island of Jersey, in the Channel Islands, and has been living in Spain for the past few years.
A real people person, Justin’s background is finance, technology, customer service, and sales, and he has a real passion for helping people learn and develop to be the best that they can be. Justin is qualified as a Service Desk Institute Service Desk Manager and has also completed the Chartered Manager Institute Level 5 diploma.
Outside work: Justin feels very fortunate that he has been able to travel all over the world and he loves to explore new places. In his downtime, he can be found throwing heavy things around in his local gym or with his head stuck in a good book.
Welcome to our virtual community of administrative professionals from around the world. Ask a question or share your expertise with like-minded professionals across our social media platforms. An international community of Assistants is waiting for you online, sharing new ideas, best practice, learning, collaborating and supporting each other. Come and join us!
UK: +44 (0) 20 8064 0911
Europe: +34 865 616 094
USA & Rest of World: +1 646 652 0414
General enquiries: info@executivesupportmedia.com
Sales & Consultancy: sales@executivesupportmedia.com
ACEA®: acea@executivesupportmedia.com
Marcham Publishing,
Parkshot House,
5 Kew Road, Richmond,
Surrey, TW9 2PR
United Kingdom