EA PROFILE
“A great EA has
emotional intelligence,
is a strategic thinker,
has a natural flair
for events and is
the confidant that
everyone turns to”
Yvette Simpson, EA at GWA Group, was awarded Travel Manager of the Year at the
2019 Executive PA Awards and took time out of her hectic schedule to speak with
our editor about her career journey and what makes a great EA travel manager
In a garage with six computers and a tea-towel over
her hands, Yvette spent her school nights practicing her
typing. Before she’d even finished school, Yvette was on an
administrative career path. With a passion for organising and
arranging group outings and parties for her classmates, her
transition into a career as an EA was as organic as it comes.
“I just took one step at a time and followed my interests
and office administration came naturally. My career started
50 Chief of Staff | Issue 1 2020
in 1996 as a Junior Group Secretary at what was then known
as First State Fund Managers, now Colonial First State.”
Her time at First State Fund Managers set the course for
Yvette’s success, but after three years it was time to move on.
“After leaving Colonial First State I found myself at the
Boston Consulting Group (BCG). I worked at BCG for almost
12 years and had my three daughters whilst I was there. I
would say that the bulk of my experience and knowledge