Alison Matthews, Virtual Assistant

Skills backed by years of experience
My name is Alison or Ali for short and I am a Virtual Assistant (hence the business name VirtuAli).
In 1999 I graduated from Queens University, Belfast, United Kingdom with a degree in modern languages (French/German) and I also have a post graduate diploma in European Business Administration. Having worked for 9 years for European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg as a senior PA & Project Administrator (please see further details in my LinkedIn profile), I’ve now returned to my native Northern Ireland and I’m based in Moira, Co. Armagh.
Over the last 15 years, I’ve been all things to many people – a personal assistant, company administrator, export sales assistant, project co-ordinator, travel planner, receptionist and much more!  All of these roles required someone with excellent organisational and customer service skills and I have these in abundance.  I always love the variety of each role and the opportunity to help people by bringing new ideas and my experience to the table.
With years of such varied experience, I decided to take on the challenge of setting up my own virtual admin business to enable me to have greater flexibility and variety in my working day, and also because I get a real buzz from continuous learning!
As a Virtual Assistant, I offer a very high level of service and bring the same benefits as any full-time member of staff: loyalty, confidentiality, commitment and a genuine interest in your business.  I can also work with clients virtually anywhere anytime (pun intended!).
When not in my office, you will find me out cycling highways and byways!

Innovative solutions

Having worked in multi-disciplinary teams and in multi-cultural environments in public, private and non-profit sectors in the UK and internationally, I can bring a fresh perspective to your business and provide solutions you maybe hadn’t previously considered.

Flexibility

I understand that in business as in life things don’t always go to plan! Luckily as I’ve worked in a variety of locations and on a variety of contracts, I’ve always been able to adapt very quickly to new places and people and can be flexible to your business needs and demands.

Business insight

Having worked in companies ranging from 3 to 1300 employees and now as small business owner myself, I have substantial insight into the support required by businesses of all sizes but especially the challenges facing micro to medium sized enterprises.

Organisational Skills

With experience of working to tight deadlines and under pressurised environments, I’ve learnt over the years how to multitask, prioritise and at the same time remain professional and calm. Not always an easy combination!
Alison has brought much added value to my business at a time when administrative aspects were overwhelming me and I needed flexibility of a virtual assistant instead of full time help. She has really taken time to understand my business and I have no hesitation in recommending her and her services.
Claire Hughes
Soirée Society NI
Alison worked in house as my PA Sep 2014-March 2015. She brought insightful administrative experience
to our organisation and was always there to help. I wish her very best of luck in her new venture.
Noreen Campbell
(CEO-NICIE) (yrs 2009-2015)