Welsh Rugby Union personal assistant Bridget Hall was awarded the Wales Top PA 2009 prize at a glittering ceremony in the Park Plaza hotel yesterday which celebrated the unsung heroes of the business industry.
Bridget, PA to WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis and Chairman David Pickering, was selected from six finalists and picked up the gong for her ‘discretion and hard work’ during 13 years of service to successive figureheads at the helm of Welsh rugby.
Bridget was ‘proud and honoured’ to receive the award at the event organised by Park Plaza hotel and presented by Business in Wales magazine.
“I feel very proud and honoured to receive this award,” she said. “And I would like to thank Caroline Sims at the Park Plaza hotel, Business in Wales magazine and the panel of judges for choosing me.”
“Thanks also to my boss David Pickering for nominating me. It has been an absolute privilege working for David, who is so highly regarded in rugby circles throughout the world.
“I have immensely enjoyed working as PA to such strong figureheads as Glanmor Griffiths, David Moffett and currently for Roger Lewis at the Welsh Rugby Union, who are each diverse in their style of leadership.”
She added: “During the 13 years I have worked at the Welsh Rugby Union there have been some amazing times and this award is the icing on the cake.”
WRU Chairman David Pickering, who nominated Bridget for the award, reiterated his support at the prestigious occasion which saw Bridget lift the trophy. He said: “Bridget is indispensable for many reasons.
“Apart from carrying out her duties as PA to an exemplary standard, Bridget also supports the administration of the President and is the point of contact for the boards of the Welsh Rugby Union and the Millennium Stadium.
“Bridget is respected and liked by all people who know her, both within and outside the company, over the many years of dutiful service to the WRU Group.
“Bridget is often privy to sensitive issues, which she treats with the utmost confidence and discretion at all times. Even at pressurised times, she retains her calmness and is always able to deal with difficult issues.
“Bridget deserves this accolade for her utmost loyalty, discretion, integrity, hard-work and duty to the WRU Group.”
Roger Lewis sent his congratulations to Bridget from the University of Nottingham where he received the Alumni Laureate Award for Lifetime Achievement this week.
“Bridget is an extremely valued member of staff who has dedicated 13 years of loyalty and hard work to the Welsh Rugby Union and is for this reason thoroughly deserving of this prestigious award which recognises the unsung heroes of the top businesses across Wales,” said Mr Lewis.
