Nicola Anderson is an experienced and commercially savvy action taker offering executive level business support to ambitious business leaders. Grab a coffee and take a couple of moments to get to know her better.
Nicola joined us in May 2022 after an extraordinarily successful career in Commercial, Operations Management, and Strategic Leadership. With a calm and knowledgeable approach, Nicola is a troubleshooter and problem solver, that gets things done. She particularly enjoys partnering with people centric business, that are looking to grow or diversify.
Getting to know Nicola
Alarm goes off at:
7am
Start the day with:
A very large coffee (or two, yes I’m an addict!) whilst checking LinkedIn and my emails. Then writing a ‘To Do List’ for the day ahead.
Where do you do most of your work?
Mostly in my home office, but I also enjoy meeting up with my clients and attending networking events as much as I can.
What sectors do your clients operate within?
Currently I am working with several entrepreneurial business owners who deliver training, motivational speaking, events and coaching. I also have a client who runs a tendering and bid management company, and another who is guiding small businesses towards achieving net zero, something that I am very passionate about.
Best part of your work:
The freedom it gives me to make my own decisions and manage my own diary to work for me and my family. Plus, the variety it gives me, I love being busy and having lots of balls in the air, solving problems and making other people’s lives easier.
Worst part of your work:
Having an office so close to the fridge!
Clients you add most value to:
Growing businesses that need someone with commercial and operational experience to help them save time by introducing efficiencies and processes to streamline their business and to be their sounding board and ideas generator.
After work you’ll be:
Found in the garden, reading a book, spending time with family and friends or watching cricket at Trent Bridge. Anything that makes me appreciate life and smile.
Why a franchise with The Passionate PA and not go it alone?
I wanted to feel part of a team and I so do. The support from Kate Chastey is amazing and the other Passionate PAs are awesome too. We are such a supportive team and the skills and experience we have collectively are hard to beat.
What did you do before:
For the majority of my career I have worked as a Commercial and Operations Manager in the construction industry. I loved nothing more than delivering high value, complex projects, and coaching and mentoring my teams. To see others reach their potential is so rewarding.
Favourite drink:
After coffee it has to be Aperol Spritz, preferably in the sunshine!
Favourite location for a business meeting:
West Bridgford in Nottingham, it has such a great cosmopolitan and community feel about it. Plus, the added bonus is that you may even bump into a famous cricketer or as Trent Bridge is just down the road!
What are you reading?
I have just finished Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Dr Julie Smith, which was a great read for understanding the mind and emotions better. I am now reading a How to Hack Your Hormones by Davina Taylor, and Alex Scott’s autobiography.
Your guilty pleasure:
Spending too many hours watching Sky Sports! I think it comes from growing up with two sport mad brothers and my Dad, and now living with my husband and two sons who all love sport too. I was brought up as a Chealsea fan, but I would say that I am definitely a Nottingham Forest fan now (just don’t tell my Dad!).
Favourite hobby/past time:
Definitely gardening, I love spending time outside in my garden and on our allotment, growing fruit and veg as well as beautiful flowers.
Most inspirational/influential person in your career:
The whole Passionate PA Team, such an awesome and talented group of ladies, led by Kate Chastey. Together we achieve such great things!
Favourite animal and why:
Cats, love their independence and self-sufficiency!
Greatest contact/supplier that deserves a plug:
Gemma Wilks founder of the Rushcliffe Business Partnership. Gemma delivers fantastic events in fabulous locations across Nottinghamshire, attended by great business owners and are such fun!
Your business plan for the coming year:
To develop a client base that I can build solid, trusted relationships with to help them achieve their business growth plans and become their confidential sounding board and trusted partner in business.
You can find out more about Nicola by clicking here!
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