Virtual Assistant Case Study
“Lynsey has been the consistent lynch pin and is a joy to work with.”
THE CHALLENGE
Julie-Anne Jamison is an experienced Chief Executive, Non-Executive Director and was a Finalist on the Institute of Director Scotland Non-Executive Director of the Year 2025. She is also a voluntary, part time Chief Executive Officer for Changing the Chemistry (CtC) SCIO. An organisation that relies on volunteers to achieve its ambitious and meaningful vision.
Julie-Anne’s responsibilities whilst vast and varied are certainly rooted in deep purpose, impact and ambition.
In the mists of a period of potentially disruptive transition, Julie-Anne and the CtC Board we’re looking at options to improve their operational models. A clear need had been identified to bring in dedicated, paid resource to drive day-to-day activities, particularly to meaningfully engage members and clients.
Moving from volunteer led, ambassador roles whereby a huge portion of time was spent completing routine and repetitive tasks towards something more consistent and impactful. CtC needed a high-quality resource that could get to grips with the organisation quickly, as well as handling both internal and external communications consistently and appropriately.
Facing ever increasing demands, changing responsibilities and all the other stresses that naturally accompany any time of change. CtC looked to other ways to ease workload pressures and drive greater, positive change.
By chance, one of CtC’s Trustee’s met Lynsey Pirie, Alchemy VA Franchise Partner in Edinburgh at a networking event in the city. Being initially impressed by Lynsey’s demeanour, passion and valuable experience supporting at Board Level, conversations started about how fractional, remote business support via Alchemy Virtual Assistance could help solve the organisations immediate and day-to-day problems.
THE IMPACT
The scope was broad and evolving. From dealing with external partner communications, advertising board vacancies and newsletter production, to recruitment events with lots of ‘behind the scenes’ work such as scheduling dates, defining focus, liaising with speakers, setting the programme, supporting the events live, pre and post promotion…
The simplest requirements were that a Virtual Assistant would be the first point of contact, managing multiple inboxes and schedules.
The Board engaged Lynsey to support because of her directly relevant experience and her passionate and personable nature. As tasks were completed, trust deepened and responsibilities naturally evolved. At a time when CtC took over the legacy of another organisation, Lynsey was able to implement and oversee a new outreach campaign to seek feedback and insights, gathering data on future service developments and engaging clients in different ways.
As well as the smooth and professional handling of day-to-day operational activities, regular ‘check in calls’ contributed to making Julie-Anne and the wider Board’s lives much easier. Julie-Anne notes that through a trusted, competent and consistent Virtual Assistant service she’s found more head space and time to focus on more strategic development and growth for the organisation.
Whilst operating in a fractional and virtual capacity, Lynsey is dedicated, proactive and highly capable. She’s also been able to support with ‘higher value’, internal strategic work both practically and conversationally.
From preparing the ‘bones’ of the Board papers, drafting input and updates for Julie-Anne to review and finalise to booking venues and becoming part of the bigger conversations crucial to the organisation’s mission and success.
Julie-Anne truly values the initiative and attentiveness with which Lynsey operates – she understands where individual roles and responsibilities start and end. She’s not afraid to raise things in a solution focused way when required. Communication is timely, visibility is clear and overall management of Lynsey is light touch.
Lynsey and the Alchemy VA team’s input has ultimately ensured that a period of transition for CtC hasn’t become too inward focused – there has been consistent communication. Clients have continued to receive a great service and feel increasingly more valued through careful, consistent communication.
A reliable, professional Virtual Assistant service has allowed Julie-Anne and the board to focus on more strategic decision making in addition to continuing to generate income and provide a quality service clients . CtC has received some very positive client feedback which means the efficiency and responsiveness provided is valued and has positively influenced CtC’s wider reputation and reach.
THE RECOMMENDATION
If you wish to reduce your worry and input to the day-to-day activities, increase your piece of mind that operations are running smooth as well as not adding to your management responsibilities – Julie-Anne recommends that you have a conversation with Lynsey.
Lynsey has fostered a constructive, open and respectful working relationship that delivers real results.
The bottom line for Julie-Anne is that without a paid consistent resource, the organisation would have found things much more difficult.. The board recognised that they needed to source a quality, high calibre and adaptable support service and they’ve done so with Alchemy Virtual Assistance.
When asked what she would tell anyone considering working with Lynsey and the Alchemy VA team, Julie-Anne states...
“I’d be really encouraging and say that Alchemy VA are keen, interested, really personable and efficient. I already recommend Lynsey to my networks. Lynsey has been the consistent lynch pin and is a joy to work with. She’s brought in other Virtual Assistants to support when appropriate who have all been equally as great as her and she has managed everything so well, there’s been no detrimental impact. I’d like to offer a huge thank you to the Alchemy VA team.”
THE CAUSE
Changing the Chemistry in organisations so people and boards embrace diversity of thought. Diversity of thought - being identity, cognitive and experiential – who we are, how we think and what we have lived through.
Changing the Chemistry supports organisations to build more inclusive leadership and employment pathways, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for underrepresented groups.
They do this through practical, outcome-focused programmes, workshops and interventions that support both workforce inclusion and board-level change.
Changing the Chemistry was established in 2011, proudly emerging from the ‘Inspiring Women Leaders – Dare We?’ event. At the start of their journey they recognised and celebrated not just gender diversity but diversity of all kinds, and they continue to embrace this through our philosophy of promoting diversity of thought.
CtC was the first organisation in the UK to operate in this field and remain a UK-wide leader. Headquartered in Scotland, they became a Scottish Incorporated Charitable Organisation (SCIO) in 2015. CtC is reliant on peer-to-peer support, generating income through a variety of commercial activities, including training provision and corporate membership (Affiliate membership).
Changing the Chemistry is currently a community of over 1400 with over 300 members who are highly experienced and dynamic senior leaders from many industries across the public, private and third sectors within the UK and internationally who provide training, mentoring and practical support for members.
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