AN award-winning personal assistant from Times Territory is preparing to hand over her crown to a new champion this week.

Tonight (Thursday), Laura Richardson from Brookmans Park will be at the Flemings Hotel in London’s Mayfair, for the 2011 Hays PA of the Year award.

Having scooped the 2010 gong for her work as a PA for London-based electricity trading firm Elexon, Laura sat on this year’s judging panel, to find a worthy successor to her title.

Before this year’s ceremony, which will be presented by lingerie magnate Michelle Mone, Laura was invited to the Houses of Parliament by Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps, by way of congratulations on her career success.

Laura, 27, was taken on a tour of the palace by the housing and local government minister, as well as getting to sit in on a session of Prime Minister’s Questions.

“The role of a PA is absolutely instrumental for the success and smooth running of any business,” Mr Shapps said. “I’m very glad that Laura’s hard work and ambition has been recognised, and I offer her my sincere congratulations” said Grant.

Laura said: “To be named PA of the Year feels amazing.

“To get the recognition for my hard work is most definitely a career highlight.”

The PA of the Year Award is an annual event organised by recruitment firm Hays PA and Secretarial, in association with The Times newspaper.

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