History of the UK VA Industry
Author of the 2-Second Commute Chris Durst is credited with having founded the Virtual Assistant industry in her home in rural Connecticut in 1995. In 1999, with Michael Haaren, she founded the International Virtual Assistants Association – the industry’s nonprofit parent organization – and served as its first president.
However back in 1992 Stacey Brice was already working as a virtual assistant when her life coaching client, Thomas Leonard, coined the phrase “virtual assistant” for her. She then went on to create AssistU, a virtual assistant training programme.
Here is a break down of what has happened over the years.
Let me know if you think we’ve missed anything… Please don’t be offended if we have – or perhaps there’s something you feel should be included? Drop me a line!
There is some dispute over who founded the VA industry and the term 'Virtual Assistant', so we'll mention both parties involved. Back in 1992 a lady called Stacey Brice was already working as a virtual assistant when her life coaching client, Thomas Leonard, coined the phrase “Virtual Assistant” for her. She then went on to create AssistU, a Virtual Assistant training programme.
Author of the 2-Second Commute Chris Durst is also credited with having founded the Virtual Assistant industry in her home in rural Connecticut in 1995. In 1999, with Michael Haaren, she founded the International Virtual Assistants Association – the industry’s non-profit parent organization – and served as its first president.
International Association of Virtual Assistants – Set up by Jacky Workman, this paid-for membership site provided advice and training for VAs based in the UK and around the world.
Alliance of UK Virtual Assistants – formed by Di Chapman as a searchable free directory of VAs in the UK.
Virtual Assistant Coaching and Training Company sets up the first UK-specific VA training with Carmen Macdougall (now run by Amanda Johnson).
Business quality VOIP hits the UK with the launch of VOIPfone. Answering phone calls for clients remotely is now a reality.
Scottish Virtual Assistants formed later changing it's name to the Society of Virtual Assistants, with 7 original members to promote the concept of virtual assistants in the UK by working together – Caroline Wylie, Lyndsey Gilchrist, Sally Blewett, Jackie Grant, Maria Birkmyre-McDermott, Marj Beattie, and Denise Wilson.
The UK Association of Virtual Assistants
The UK Association of Virtual Assistants was created - a paid for directory was created by Justine Curtis.
Name change to Society of Virtual Assistants, as we now had more UK members than Scottish ones. We also revamped the website to expand from just a forum to include a wordpress blog, free directory and various training events.
International VA Day
Sharon Williams, a well known virtual assistant in Maryland, USA started International VA Day on 16th May 2006, this now happens every year on this day.
The first VA Franchise
The First Virtual Assistant Franchise is launched by Kerry Anne Orr - it went on to be sold to another VA and Kerry now specialises in setting up systems for other businesses.
First ever UK VA Conference was run in Milton Keynes by Carmen Mcdougall of CMA Coaching & VACT.
Also in 2007, Carmen set up the first UK VA Awards and launched the first online magazine for VAs.
The very first UK VA Survey was initially run by Alex Stone of Just Too Busy and is now collated by SVA each year. Over the years is has provided vital information about the industry which can be used for business plans, marketing activities and to bust myths. For example, the popular myth of a VA being a mum without childcare got shattered in 2011 when we revealed that less than 4% of VAs work like this! We now hold over 15 years of survey results.
Formation of VA Support Group Skype chat – three new VAs (Emily Robe, Dee Uzoka and Anne-Marie Mittleman) got together to share their resources and coined the phrase “collaboration not competition” in their quest to build their businesses helping many others along the way including a chat room, a business room and a jobs available room.
Global VA Week
The SVA got involved with OIVAC (Online International Virtual Assistant Conference), an annual event run by Sharon Williams in the USA to promote VAs worldwide, headed up by legendary VA Sharon Williams of The 24 Hour Secretary. This included a Tweet campaign which members could use in their own businesses, informal coffee house meet ups, and UK only sessions in the Online International Assistants Convention.
The First UK VA Book
Nadine Hill publishes “The Virtual Assistant Handbook”, the first comprehensive UK virtual assistant guide.
John Palmer created the BeMyVA Directory, a paid for directory, when he later ran the UK VA Awards, winners were also given a slot in the directory.
A New VA Magazine
Written and edited by Jo Sparkes of Expedio Virtual Assistance, VA Pro Mag was an online magazine aimed at UK virtual assistants.
The North West VA Hub set up by Debby Marcy and Jo Howlett held regular regional meetings for VAs to meet up and network. Sadly after Jo passed away and Debby retired it was closed with a final meet up in 2025.
The VA Magazine
Published by Lucy Brazier of Executive Secretary fame, this subscription only magazine got delivered 6 issues per year and built into a library of training resources for your business. It featured articles from the world’s best trainers and luminaries from the virtual assistant world. Sadly the magazine got shelved back in 2013.
The Big Meet
A one off big meet up for Virtual Assistants run by the Society of Virtual Assistants.
Created by Angela Dillon and Nicola Skinner, the first regional VA Conference was held in Newcastle and gave northern-based VAs and opportunity to join together, learn and included the UK VA Regional Awards for the North East. This into an annual event for VAs across the UK, drawing VAs from as far away as Cornwall! It ran successfully until 2022 when Angela and Nicola left the industry.
VACT sold to Amanda Johnson
Carmen MacDougall also sold VACT to Amanda Johnson (aka The Fairy Godmother of the VA Industry).
The UK VA Awards and the UK VA Conference were sold by Carmen Macdougall to John Palmer (BeMyVA). John ran the conference in Windsor and then later moved it to be a part of of the Office Show (later known as the PA Show).
In 2015, Joanne Hawkins, supported by her daughter Naomi Hawkins and VA team created and ran the North West VA Conference. Held annually in Warrington, it ran until 2023.
The VA Handbook was set up by Jo Munro. Not to be confused with the book of the same name! The VA Handbook offers training, coaching and mentoring for VAs and hosts a thriving group on Facebook called 'The VA Handbookers'.
PA Forum
In 2016, Daniel Skermer started the PA Forum, a community for personal assistants, executive assistants and virtual assistants in the Midlands. This then led to the West & East Midlands PA Awards and the West Midlands VA Conference.
VIP VA
In 2016, Charlotte Wibberley set up VIP VA, a training and support organisation. Later sold to Holly Frances and renamed APVA (Association of Professional Virtual Assistants).
A new community was created in the North of England by Gwen Backhouse and Amanda Ryan. Starting off as the Cumbrian VA Network, it grew to incorporate both sides of the border and offered support, meet ups and advice for VAs.
SVA collaborates with VA trainers and experts around the UK to introduce Virtual Assistant Training standards in response to a huge number of complaints about training courses. As a result the SVA launched the Training Directory and a guide called 'How to find a Good Trainer'.
HMRC AML VA Exemption
VAProMag launched a campaign to make Money Laundering Regulations much clearer for virtual assistants and managed to gain a concession for VAs working on low incomes to enable them to do a small amount of bookkeeping.
New VA Book & Training
Catherine Gladwyn publishes her book 'How to be a Virtual Assistant' and launches her training. She also now has a thriving Facebook Community called 'Virtual Assistant Support, Guidance and Job Opps - FREE Group'
GDPR legislation goes live
Virtual Assistants now have to ensure they adhere to GDPR laws when dealing with personal data.
A collaboration of existing VAs and aspiring VAs based in Bristol, Cornwall, Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, as well as the Isles of Scilly. Headed up by VAs in the South West, Joanne Manville and Rachel Guyat
In 2021 Hayley Hudson based in Deal, Kent, launched The VA Lounge, a collaborative community built to supporting virtual assistants.
UK VA Conference and Awards return to VACT
In 2022, the UK VA Conference came back to VACT when BeMyVA handed the Conference and Awards to Amanda Johnson at VACT. The UK VA Conference and Awards now take place annually in Bournemouth in October.
After the Northern VA Collaboration closed, Gwen Backhouse and Amy Russell combine their resources to put on a North East VA Conference annually in May. Three successful events were held in Leeds until 2025.
Caroline Wylie steps back from running the Society of Virtual Assistants in March 2023 and passed the baton to Gwen Backhouse. Gwen continues to run the SVA with the help of the Advisory Board.
The first Lounge by the Sea was held in 2024, organised by Hayley Hudson and the VA Lounge. Held in Deal in Kent, right by the beach.
The Society of Virtual Assistants reaches 20 whole years old! That's 20 years of supporting this wonderful industry of collaborative VAs!