Episode 8 : Stepping into the Global CEO’s Office – Rebuilding Confidence - Reena Patel’s Story

Even though we might have years of experience quite often the “imposter” inside of us, a moment in time or a difficult situation leads us to question our capabilities… In this episode of Stories Beyond the Desk, Reena Patel, Executive Assistant to the Global CEO of Holland & Barrett, shares her honest career journey from computer engineering and office management to becoming an EA and supporting a Global CEO. Reena’s career has not followed a straight line. After studying computer engineering, she realised that technology was not where she wanted to build her future. She moved into office management, gaining experience across facilities, administration, workplace management and PA responsibilities. But being the person everyone turns to can come at a cost. During the years around Covid, Reena was working extremely long hours and eventually recognised that she needed to think differently about where she wanted her career to go. Choosing to focus more deliberately on the PA and EA side of her experience led her to Holland & Barrett. However, she arrived feeling that she had lost much of her professional confidence following a difficult working experience. Reena talks openly about how she rebuilt that confidence by developing relationships, understanding the wider business and putting herself forward. When the opportunity came to support Anthony, who would later become Holland & Barrett’s Global CEO, she initially questioned whether she was ready. Her journey from that point is a fascinating look at how confidence develops through experience, supportive relationships and being willing to step outside your comfort zone. The conversation also explores the changing role of the EA, the importance of understanding the business beyond your immediate responsibilities and the value of building a strong PA and EA community. By listening to this episode, you will discover how Reena: Rebuilt her confidence after a difficult working experience Recognised the breadth of her transferable skills Acknowledged the times where she had to rethink her career direction Built stronger and better relationships with her Executive Proactively seeks knowledge of the wider business to better her understanding of the role Put yourself forward for opportunities even when you are questioning your readiness Establishes that clear expectations and boundaries are required with Executives Built upon her own connections and community with other PAs and EAs Could be kinder to herself during periods of career change Reena’s story is a reminder that career progression is rarely a straight line. Sometimes the next step comes from recognising what is no longer working, rebuilding your confidence and being willing to say yes when an opportunity arrives. Whether you are a PA, EA, VA, Office Manager or Business Support professional thinking about your own next chapter, this conversation offers honest insight and practical lessons from a career that has evolved in unexpected ways. #PA #EA #VA #PAForum #StoriesBeyondTheDesk #ExecutiveAssistant #PersonalAssistant #BusinessSupport #OfficeManager #CareerDevelopment