Hatch Brenner’s Ali Masterson has been named runner-up in the legal category of a demanding competition to find Norfolk’s top PA of the Year.

Ali is PA to head of civil litigation Rose Escott, and entered the competition herself after spotting an advert and deciding there was nothing to be gained from hiding her light under a bushel!

She was among a combined total of 100 nominees for the PA and Legal PA of the Year categories, and was put through her paces with a variety of assessments and office ability tests before the list of candidates was whittled down to a shortlist of eight finalists.

Ali then had to spend around 10 minutes under a “Mastermind” style spot-light as the finalists were individually quizzed at Dunston Hall Hotel by a panel of judges which included TV personality Helen McDermott, plus representatives of Norfolk County Council, Tops Property Services, the Digital Phone Company, and Norwich City Football Club.

Ali who walked away with champagne, flowers, a glass paperweight, and a certificate said “I suffer badly from stage fright so I was really nervous sitting in that chair, but luckily it all went well,” said Ali, who walked away with champagne, flowers, a glass paperweight, and a certificate. “I didn’t expect to win when I entered.”

Ali used to work with London law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, and after moving to Norwich in 2003 she joined Hatch Brenner when a permanent position came up while she was temping with the firm.

“I have been working with Rose ever since, and we get on very well because in many ways we are quite similar,” says Ali, who believes a good PA must possess a mixture of qualities.

“Efficiency, loyalty, discretion, and the ability to anticipate your boss without second-guessing – and there’s a really fine line. You’ve got to be organised, flexible, and have an interest in your work – because if you don’t like the job you shouldn’t be doing it. I’m very lucky as I have a job that I love, and I think that came across when I was interviewed.”

Ali’s PA of the Year application covered the aspects of her job she most enjoys, and those which she finds most challenging. She says she gets particular satisfaction from the sense of teamwork with Rose, and from seeing a positive result for clients. Ali admits that there are parts of her work which are challenging, but says this is all part and parcel of working in the legal profession and dealing with difficult opposition.

Rose Escott said she was delighted Ali’s hard work and enthusiasm for her job had been recognised. She hoped that Ali’s success would encourage other secretaries at Hatch Brenner to enter next year.