Laura Billingham

I'm very good at being the person behind the person.

The trusted right hand. The sounding board. The organiser. The person who can see what needs doing, gets on with it, and makes life easier for the person I'm supporting.

I've spent much of my career doing exactly that.

My background spans senior executive support, operations, project coordination, communications, editorial work and business administration. I've worked within fast-moving technology businesses, supported senior leaders and entrepreneurs, managed complex and highly confidential projects, coordinated people and suppliers, created systems and processes, and spent more than seven years providing ongoing support to a senior consultant and business owner.

I'm comfortable with the practical stuff — diaries, meetings, correspondence, documents, research, events, systems and keeping multiple priorities moving — but I bring something beyond administration.

Judgement.

I don't need everything spelled out. I'm good at understanding the bigger picture, spotting what may become a problem before it does, asking sensible questions and finding a way forward. I'm equally comfortable working independently or being the person a senior leader uses to think something through.

Writing is another significant part of my professional toolkit. I'm an experienced writer, editor and ghostwriter, so clear communication — whether that's an email, report, article, presentation or something written in somebody else's voice — comes naturally to me.

I've also built projects of my own, including The Memoir Maker, taking an idea through research, product development, technology, testing and launch. And I'm currently building The Peak Pack, an independent networking community in Derbyshire.

I'm now looking for the next chapter of my working life: ideally a part-time or fractional Executive Assistant, Operations or Project Support role where experience, initiative, discretion and a sense of humour are valued.

Remote works particularly well, although I'm also open to hybrid opportunities within sensible travelling distance of the Peak District.

If what you really need is somebody reliable behind the scenes who will understand what you're trying to achieve and help make it happen, we should probably talk.

Fractional Executive Support | Operations | Communications self-Employed Aug 2016 - Present

• Providing trusted fractional support to business owners and senior professionals across executive support, operations, communications and project delivery.

Founder at The Memoir Maker (2026-01 – Present)

• Conceived and launched an AI-supported memoir-writing platform, taking the idea from initial concept through product definition, content creation and beta testing.

• Created 260+ guided questions and shaped the user journey to make life-story capture accessible to people who may not consider themselves writers.

• Coordinate external development, tester feedback, customer communications and marketing while continuing to refine the proposition and commercial model.

Long-term Executive Support & Communications Consultant at International DEI Consultant & Author (2019 – 2026)

• Provide trusted operational, editorial and communications support across a long-standing client relationship, helping turn ideas into completed projects and maintaining momentum across multiple workstreams.

• Act as a confidential sounding board and trusted adviser, bringing perspective, challenge and practical support to ideas, decisions and priorities.

• Provided sustained encouragement and editorial support that helped move a long-held ambition to write a book from intention towards delivery.

• Recruited and supervised two specialist transcribers for a highly confidential project, setting expectations, monitoring quality and protecting confidentiality throughout.

• Support ongoing content and production activity including an established podcast, publications, articles and digital communications, while coordinating deadlines and competing priorities.

Communications & Editorial Consultant at Freelance (2022-03 – Present)

• Manage fiction, non-fiction, memoir and business-content projects from brief to delivery, balancing client relationships, schedules, editorial quality and commercial administration.

• Interview clients and translate complex, personal or specialist material into clear, engaging content while preserving the client's voice and intent.

• Maintain long-term client relationships built on trust, discretion, reliability and consistently high standards.

Editor & Production Manager / Copy Editor at Freelance publishing clients & MO2VATE Magazine (2020-05 – 2022-01)

• Managed editing and production schedules, liaised with authors and contributors, and delivered accurate, publication-ready material for books, articles, advertorials and business features.

Executive / Regional Director at Revival Sanctuary (UK) (2019-04 – 2022-01)

• Directed local operations for a women's business membership network, coordinating events, regional activity and member support while contributing to wider strategic planning.

Board Member at Business Peak District (2020-02 – 2024-04)

• Contributed to the governance and strategic direction of a regional business network supporting 700+ members, representing creative and small-business interests across the Peak District.

Operations Manager at WANdisco (2013-11 – 2015-09)

• Managed financial and administrative operations for UK offices of a global technology company, including reporting, payroll liaison, facilities and staff travel, alongside high-level cross-departmental support.

• Acted as a central point of coordination across multiple business functions, ensuring operational activities ran efficiently while supporting senior leaders in a fast-paced technology environment.

Office Manager at Sontia Logic Ltd (2010-03 – 2013-10)

• Provided direct support to the CEO and managed HR administration, payroll records, absence monitoring, suppliers, procurement and day-to-day office operations.

• Negotiated with external organisations and suppliers and reviewed business usage and purchasing to identify efficiencies and control costs.

Office Manager at White Design UK Ltd (2009-08 – 2010-03)

• Combined office administration with HR, marketing and PR activity, including recruitment support, job descriptions, interviews, procedures, website updates and external networking.

Office / Finance Manager at MKDOC Ltd (2002-04 – 2009-01)

• Held responsibility for financial administration, invoicing, VAT returns, year-end payroll and general business support; also monitored public tenders and helped position the company for new opportunities.

Earlier career encompassed administrative and managerial roles across healthcare, education, insurance services and travel, including people management, staff briefings, written communications and negotiations relating to organisational change, redundancy and relocation.

Diploma in Small Business Financial Management – International Association of Book Keepers

BTEC National Diploma in Business Studies O Levels in Maths and English (8 total)