Banging the drum for PAs, secretaries and support staff everywhere, Sharon Huckstep says that no organisation could get by without its admin people. But are they given enough recognition? Well, in her company they are — and that is largely thanks to Sharon.

Based in Bedford, she is not only PA to the UK and Ireland managing director of URS Corporation, the world’s largest engineering and environmental consultancy, but sits on one of its boards.

“We have 1,000 employees in the UK, of whom 200 work in support roles, and many have been to university,” says Sharon. “In most organisations they get forgotten about, and that is unfair because everyone has a contribution to make.

“I originally went to our Business Improvement Board to take minutes, but I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. In the end, it was easier to give me a seat and let me have my say because I was going to have it anyway. But I still take the minutes.”

Sharon was entered for The Times Crème and Hays Secretarial PA of the Year award by her boss, David Bennison. When he recruited Sharon three years ago, he was looking for a PA to provide more than the traditional support role: “I wanted someone who would grasp the opportunity to get involved in shaping the direction of the business, and also raise the profile of our support staff.

“We used to be very hierarchical, as many engineering companies traditionally are, but I felt strongly that I needed to change the ethos into a partnership. There’s a huge shortage of engineers and a lot of stress involved in the job, which isn’t as well paid as other professions, so it’s important to convey a sense of enjoyment. Communication is key to having happy, motivated staff, and that’s where so many businesses fail.

“Sharon is a strong role model who is passionate about ensuring that everyone’s contribution to their company is rightly recognised. She has pushed us out of our comfort zone and made us change. Her achievements demonstrate what a good PA can do, not just for his or her boss but for the benefit of the business as a whole.”

Sharon, 30, had not expected to become a career PA. She grew up in Bedfordshire and worked in an office before studying sociology in Birmingham: “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do but I stayed on in Birmingham because my social life was there, and initially I earned money by temping.”

Responsible jobs followed, including stints as a team leader at a bank and then as an office manager in the car industry. The job at URS appealed to her, when she saw it advertised, because it appeared to offer genuine prospects — as has been the case.

“I have a real business partnership with David,” she says. “It’s not just about him being my boss and me being his PA. I’m encouraged to be involved with the business far beyond the usual PA remit. I attend business dinners, and I have rewritten the job functions for the admin staff here to reflect their importance to the company. I have also introduced a mentoring policy, on the back of which I personally mentor a couple of PAs.

“Many of our PAs have been to university and are highly skilled, so it would be unfair if they were forgotten about.”

Sharon, who wins a holiday for two at the five-star Sheraton Miramar hotel on Egypt’s Red Sea coast courtesy of Longwood Holidays, and who will be presented with her trophy at today’s Crème show in London, is disbelieving about her achievements.

“I was stunned when I was told I had won PA of the Year,” she says. “I was very nervous when the judges interviewed me.

“However, I do believe passion- ately in what I’m doing, and if I don’t think something is right, I’m not afraid to speak out.”

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