Karen Elizabeth Woods19 Butler Drive, Erith, Kent, DA8 3AQ

07930 610333 karen.woods@express.co.ukPersonal Profile:I am an outgoing individual with excellent interpersonal skills and have demonstrated the ability to build strong working relationships often acting as the ‘go to’ person. I have a wealth of Senior PA experience both as an In-House Legal PA and within the Banking arenas and have a great deal of skills to bring to the table. I have a methodical approach to my work, I enjoy new challenges and like to learn new skills. I work well under pressure and endeavour to get the job done as efficiently and accurately as possible. I am naturally self-motivated and used to dealing with highly confidential and sensitive matters, whilst still working well as part of a team.

Systems: Typing 50wpm, Word 2010, Excel 2010, PowerPoint 2010, Outlook, Track Changes, Databases, Internet

Education: GCSE – English Language-APitman’s Elementary Typing Microsoft Word OCR Text Processing OCR Word processing NVQ level 3 in Business AdministrationILEX Level 2 Certificate for Legal Secretaries Working in the Legal Environment -DistinctionProof Reading – Pass

Employment History:

Nov 2007 – Present In-House Legal PA to the Group Legal DepartmentNorthern & Shell Plc (Publishers of the Daily Express and Daily Star Newspapers, OK!, New! And Star Magazines, The Health Lottery)

As the Sole Legal Personal Assistant, I am responsible for providing diverse Legal PA support to two Senior Lawyers, two Solicitors specialising in Media, Insurance, Litigation and Employment as well as additional support to the Intellectual Property Consultant, working on International IP and Trademark transactions

Due to the nature of the publishing industry the Group Legal Department works to very tight deadlines, therefore I am used to working in a very busy and highly pressured environment. In addition I have to manage my time effectively to ensure the smooth running of the department

Acting as the gatekeeper and being the main point of contact for the Group Legal Department - taking telephone calls, responding to correspondence where appropriate, directing queries to the relevant person or department

Organising travel arrangements for the Lawyers and coordinating client lunches Making appointments, arranging meetings and maintaining an up-to-date diary for the Group Legal

Department with multiple / external parties Ensuring speedy distribution of Court Orders and other legal notices received Attending to both internal and external clients in person and on the phone in a professional and courteous

manner, provide efficient and effective message taking and follow-up, where necessary Organising seminars, arranging speakers, liaising with the IT department, ordering catering, setting up

OHP’s and PowerPoint presentations, sending out and chasing invitations of attendees Flagging search reports (trademarks) Compiling trademark database Notification of renewals and renewal of trademarks online Replenishing EUPO and UK Patent Office deposit accounts Processing expense claims and invoice payments, maintaining proper records Preparing agendas, papers, correspondence and legal documents through word processing; drafting and

formatting presentations and reports, which may include undertaking basic research Maintaining and updating the team's filing and record keeping systems, ensuring the confidentiality of all the

team's documentation and information

Maintaining sickness reports and holiday rota’s for the department Arranging couriers within UK and Internationally Ordering stationery, liaising with Technology department on behalf of the team, especially in regard to

printer and system faults Completing all general administrative tasks, e.g. photocopying and faxing, in a timely manner Dealing with all incoming post/ Preparing mail and enclosures for dispatchDocument management: Formatting documents, especially providing final formatting to create execution copies printing, collating

and binding documents Providing support for Word and other software tools Proof reading/contrast and comparing documents

July 2006 – Nov 2007 Team Secretary (Maternity Contract)Lloyds TSB Bank Plc (Seconded to Unite the Union Head Office)

Employed by Lloyds TSB, as a Secretary, seconded to Unite/Amicus the Union. As the Team Secretary, it was my duty to look after the two Seconded Officers. I had a close working relationship with Union Officials and the Senior Management at the Bank, and as such I was party to highly confidential and sensitive information and material. The need for the utmost confidentiality was important and a vital part of the job

Arranging meetings (both internally and externally), booking meeting rooms, lunches, arranging travel and accommodation

Liaising with various Unite offices/departments to promote the efficient running of the office, building good working relationships within the Lloyds TSB team and offices, and officers within Moreland Street aiding the communication between the Seconded Officers, Lloyds TSB Bank officials, officials within the Union, JAORs, Health & Safety reps and the wider membership

Maintaining the filing system for Seconded Officers, maintaining and updated the office diary electronically and manually, maintaining and updating PPP (People, Policies and Practices) HR manuals, and other relevant reference materials

Keeping in daily contact with Seconded Representatives when out of the office, relaying messages and sending out post to home addresses, as and where appropriate

Assisting with the helpline when necessary Covering the work of the Northern Seconded Officers secretary when required Covering for the National Secretary’s PA as and when required Arranging meetings/hearings for Seconded Officers, typing up branch visit letters to send out to branches,

and any other correspondence as and when required Arranging and organise the Health and Safety courses (countrywide) and updates, arranging travel/hotel

accommodation for the Seconded Officers and all the Representatives Ordering all stationery for finance sector in Moreland Street Updating branch visit database Contacting support for Seconded Officers and Representatives

Employment History - Fitness Industry:

June 2005 – July 2006 Gym ManagerBladerunner Ltd for Lloyds TSB

Employed as a Gym Manager running a corporate gym. It was my responsibility to run the gym and ensure that all procedures were adhered to. My duties included:

Weekly sales reports, monthly reports, marketing plans Health and safety risk assessments Payroll, banking and all other essential paper work Keeping the membership records up to date on the database using Excel and Word Providing inductions to new users including fitness testing, writing up programmes and showing clients

how to use the equipment, being on hand to assist users, to provide technical assistance when required and to help experienced users to progress with their training programmes

Teaching classes every day, this was a different challenge as the customers’ needs are very different. It was very important to provide a friendly and efficient service. It was my sole responsibility that the kit was maintained within the health and safety guidelines, so to provide a safe environment for the users

July 2003 – June 2005 Crook Log Sports Centre Fitness Instructor/ Membership Advisor

Initially employed as a membership advisor. My duties included selling memberships and meeting and greeting clients. After a short time I was promoted to a Fitness Instructor

2000 – July 2003 TakeShape Health and Fitness

Fitness Instructor/ Receptionist Supervisor

1992 – 2000 Maternity Leave – Raising a Family

Pre 1992: Over the years I have also been in many administrative/secretarial positions with reputable companies such as:

Cotton & Hamblin (1991 – 1992)Receptionist/Administration

CRC Limited (1990 – 1991)Receptionist /Secretary

Central Electricity Generating Board (1985 -1990) Administration Assistant

Metropolitan Police 1978 - 1985Clerical/Receptionist

My varied duties included the following skills and responsibilities:

General administration duties Maintaining and dealing with budgets Keeping the appointment book and diary Organising travel arrangements and meetings Typing quotations, specifications, hospital referrals and general letters Dealing with all incoming and outgoing post Meeting and greeting clients Allocating jobs correctly and chasing up outstanding work Booking appointments, dealing with patient records (Cotton & Hamblin) Dealing with Cash transactions, handling daily takings and keeping the petty cash book (Cotton & Hamblin) Provide a helpful and efficient service when dealing with patients (Cotton & Hamblin) Updating patient records, on the company’s database (Cotton & Hamblin)

Fitness Courses/Exams RSA exercise to music New Era Khai-Bo Advance Instructor workshop Khai-Bo workshop Pulse-Spinfit Future Fit Torso Training and Functional Stability Pump FX Body Pump

Education: Peckham Girls Secondary School

References upon request