Virtual PA for UK Businesses: Hire an Offshore Executive Assistant
What a virtual PA does
A virtual PA, or virtual executive assistant, supports a founder, director or senior leader from a remote location. The work is more discretionary than general admin: they act on the executive’s behalf, keep their day running and protect their time.
Diary and calendar
Schedule, reschedule and protect focus time; resolve conflicts with judgement.
Inbox management
Triage, draft replies for approval and flag what needs attention.
Travel and events
Book travel, build itineraries and coordinate meetings and events.
Meeting support
Prepare briefing notes, take minutes and track actions.
Confidential admin
Handle sensitive documents, board papers and personal admin with discretion.
Projects and reporting
Track tasks, prepare reports and chase stakeholders.
Virtual PA, executive assistant or virtual assistant?
| Factor | General virtual assistant | Virtual PA or executive assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Recurring admin across the team | Supporting one senior person |
| Level of discretion | Follows checklists | Acts on judgement and context |
| Confidentiality | Moderate | High: sensitive documents and communications |
| Typical tasks | Data entry, research, CRM, customer replies | Diary, travel, meetings, board papers, personal admin |
| Cost with TalentDock | From £1,195 a month | Senior roles scoped from £1,695 a month |
Not sure which you need? See what a virtual assistant does for the wider task list, or our offshore virtual assistant page for admin-focused support.
What an executive assistant costs
| Option | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK in-house executive assistant | About £2,800-£3,200 a month or more | Salary levels vary widely; add employer NICs, pension and overheads |
| UK freelance VA or PA | £25-£35 an hour | Flexible, but shared with other clients |
| UK agency VA | £30-£40 an hour | Managed, at hourly rates |
| TalentDock offshore executive assistant | From £1,195 a month; senior roles from £1,695 | Dedicated, employed and managed; the exact fee is confirmed against your brief |
Freelance and agency figures are from Teambuild Consultancy’s 2026 UK guide. See our pricing page and the full virtual assistant cost guide for a wider breakdown.
Confidentiality and security
An executive assistant sees sensitive material, so trust and controls matter as much as skill.
Vetting
Candidates are tested on written English, discretion and relevant experience before you meet them.
Contract and confidentiality
Confidentiality obligations are written into the contract.
Data protection
Data Processing Agreement and UK IDTA in place as standard for restricted transfers.
Least-privilege access
Start with limited access, add permissions as trust builds and use multi-factor authentication.
Regular review
Agree a weekly review and a clear escalation path.
Read the ICO’s international transfers guidance or our legal guide to offshore VAs for more. This is general information, not legal advice.
Working UK hours
Executives usually need real overlap for calls, quick approvals and diary changes. We agree UK-aligned shifts up front and confirm overlap in writing. Time-zone differences are explained in our guides to offshore vs UK virtual assistants and the best country to hire.
How to hire a virtual PA
Brief us
Tell us about the executive, the tasks, hours and tools.
Review a shortlist
We send vetted candidates matched to your brief.
Test and trial
Set a practical task, such as an inbox and diary exercise, and run a trial.
Start and review
Begin with a narrow remit and widen it as trust builds. Our onboarding plan and interview questions help.
For the full process, read our complete guide to hiring a virtual assistant in the UK, or see our wider virtual assistant services.
Frequently asked questions
What is a virtual PA?
A virtual PA is a remote personal or executive assistant who manages a senior person’s diary, inbox, travel, meetings and confidential administration.
How much does a virtual PA cost in the UK?
UK freelancers typically charge £25-£35 an hour and agencies £30-£40. A dedicated offshore executive assistant through TalentDock starts from £1,195 a month, with senior roles scoped from £1,695. The fee is confirmed against your brief.
What is the difference between a virtual PA and a virtual assistant?
A virtual PA supports one senior person with diary, communications and confidential work, using judgement. A virtual assistant handles wider recurring admin, often following checklists.
Can an offshore executive assistant work UK hours?
Yes. We agree UK-aligned shifts and confirm overlap hours in writing before your executive assistant starts.
Is it safe to give an offshore executive assistant confidential information?
With the right controls, yes: confidentiality terms, a Data Processing Agreement, UK IDTA, least-privilege access and multi-factor authentication. UK GDPR responsibilities remain with you as controller.
Can a virtual PA book travel and manage my calendar?
Yes. Diary management, travel booking, itineraries and meeting coordination are core executive assistant tasks.
How do I start with a virtual PA?
Tell us the tasks, hours and tools, review a vetted shortlist, run a practical trial and start with a narrow remit.
- Teambuild Consultancy: Virtual assistant costs in 2026, UK and Philippines
- ICO: International transfers under UK GDPR
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Figures are indicative and were checked on 19 September 2026; confirm your own position with a qualified UK adviser.
More on hiring a virtual assistant
Ready to hire an offshore virtual assistant?
Tell us the tasks, hours and tools and we will send a vetted shortlist. One all-in monthly fee, no recruitment fee.
Offshore teams for UK businesses, managed end to end. Dedicated talent in Sri Lanka & the Philippines, trained to your standards.
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