EAs everywhere

Polly Cosgriff  - Senior EA

When I started out as a (very!) junior PA, the unspoken rule was that you were always close to your Exec - ready to print a document at a moment’s notice, grab another coffee, or be physically available for whatever came up. That was the gig. 

Fast forward to today, and I’m a fully remote EA supporting three Partners - one of whom is based in Chicago, no less! I can only imagine the reaction if someone had floated the idea of a remote EA back then - the panic would’ve been real, from both sides. How could they possibly manage without me nearby?  

And yet… they do.

In fact, I’d argue that my Partners and I have built a stronger, more synergetic working style remotely. I’m available across a broader time window, and I’m definitely more productive working from home than I ever was in the office. (For example, I can jump from one meeting or task to the next without losing time to things like searching for a free meeting room or dealing with last-minute desk moves — everything is more agile). 

And of course, I can’t talk about being fully remote without mentioning the fantastic work-life balance it’s given me. As a mum of two young children, working remotely means I can drop them off, pick them up, attend the all-important Easter Bonnet parade and still pursue a career I love. 

That’s not to say there aren’t unique challenges. The blur between home and work life is real. There’s that ever-present feeling of not doing any one job quite well enough and the need to consciously set boundaries. But let’s face it - every role has its own challenges, whether it’s office-based, hybrid or remote. For me, it works. My other half also works predominantly from home, so what used to be water-cooler chats have become (child free) dining table conversations. And I wouldn’t trade that. 

Turns out, maybe we can have it all - with a strong Wi-Fi connection and a vat of coffee. 

Becky Wise - EA

Having a remote role brings the flexibility needed to balance work and family life in a way that truly fits. Working from home makes it easier to be present for important family moments - whether it’s school drop-offs, assemblies, or sports days without the pressure of choosing between work and time with the kids.

Not having to commute means I can use that time more meaningfully, like helping my children get ready in the morning while catching up on emails or stepping away for a school event and making up the time later in the day. It’s not about switching between work and family roles; it’s about blending them in a way that feels natural. 

I also like that my children get to see what I do. By bringing my work into the home, they’re learning that remote roles are still meaningful and productive — while also gaining a better understanding of the role their dad plays when he’s not around. Both sides contribute in their own way, and I think it’s important for them to see that.

Of course, I enjoy going into the office too. There’s something great about being around the team and soaking up that energy during team sessions or socials. This role gives me the best of both worlds: I have the flexibility to come in and support my Partners, spend time with the team, and still work from home comfortably and efficiently the rest of the time. 

That said, working remotely isn’t without its challenges. Building relationships can take a bit more effort when you’re not face-to-face. But having regular chats and video calls with my team helps keep those connections strong. Thanks to the culture here at Baringa, I feel valued and part of the team, even though I haven’t met many colleagues in person yet. 

All in all, remote working fits perfectly with where I am in life right now. 

A view from the business – Antoine Gourdon, Head of Consulting Services and Operations 

The shift to a distributed EA model—what we now call “EAs Everywhere”—has been a game-changer. It’s not just about where people work. It’s about who we can work with, how we build teams, and the kind of culture we want to lead. 

By moving beyond a London-centric set-up, we’ve opened the door to a much broader and more diverse talent pool. We’re now working with EAs across the UK and beyond, bringing in a richer mix of experience, age, gender, ethnicity, and geography. That diversity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a real asset. It sharpens our thinking, strengthens our delivery, and makes us more representative of the clients and communities we serve. 

It also makes us more inclusive. We’re now better placed to engage with brilliant people who might have been excluded from traditional office-based roles—those with disabilities, caring responsibilities, or simply those who’ve chosen to live further afield. EAs Everywhere means they don’t have to choose between flexibility and opportunity. 

From a hiring perspective, this model gives us more options and better outcomes. We can find the right skills at the right level—without being boxed-in by London salary expectations. That’s good for the business, and it supports greater financial equity across the UK. Plus, with a wider range of candidates, we’re more likely to find people who are a great fit for our Partners—not just on paper, but in personality and working style too. 

Of course, this approach brings new challenges. How do we keep remote colleagues engaged and connected? How do we maintain our culture when we’re not all in the same room? These are live questions—and we’re learning as we go. But they’re also pushing us to be more intentional: about how we communicate, how we celebrate success, and how we build belonging across distance. 

In short, EAs Everywhere isn’t just a new way of working. It’s a better one. And it’s helping us build a team that’s more inclusive, more resilient, and better prepared for what’s next.