SUZY SANDERS Founder
Making the brave decision after the birth of her son to leave her corporate job at a global recruitment firm, Suzy embarked on a journey to entrepreneurship. Her business began from a (then) makeshift home office in Northamptonshire in 2016 with the purpose of providing remote administration, practical marketing and flexible PA support to independent business owners, entrepreneurs and sole traders.
PAUL SANDERS Managing Director
When Paul left his secure job to join his wife Suzy’s thriving Virtual Assistant company, he was driven by the strong belief that he could help her build on her successes and achieve her longer-term goals.
They shared the same dreams – to develop a true family-run business, to diversify to become a successful franchise, and to emerge as the UK’s VA company of choice. Through his unwavering support as her business partner, Paul knew that they would be stronger together.
Sarah Damani Founding Executive Franchise Partner - Wellingborough, Northamptonshire Shortlisted for PA Life Magazine's 'Rising Star' of the Year Award 2020
Sarah lives in Earls Barton, Northamptonshire with her husband, two boys and a cat called Ronnie. When she's not creating more hours in the day for her clients she can be found crossfit-ing, making and decorating cakes or crafting with the kids.
Learn more about Sarah's phenomenal Virtual Assisant family and their specialist Virtual Assistant services and skills.
Gemma McMillian Senior Franchise Partner - Northampton, Northamptonshire
Gemma lives in Northampton, Northamptonshire with her partner Jason and Missy the cat. When she's not creating more hours in the day for her clients she can be found trying out different crafts or singing. She especially enjoys macramé and cross-stitch. Gemma is a vegetarian, adores Italian food and her Grandma’s traditional Indian cooking.
Learn more about Gemma and her Virtual Assistant team's specialist Virtual Assistant services and skills.
Laura Barley Founding Executive Franchise Partner- Glasgow (South), Lanarkshire WHAT FRANCHISE - FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR 2022
Laura lives just outside of Glasgow, Lanarkshire with her son Lucas and Koa the dog. When she's not creating more hours in the day for her clients she can be found travelling, adventuring, exploring with her dearest friends and family.
Learn more about Laura's phenomenal Virtual Assistant Family and their specialist Virtual Assistant services and skills.
Magda Bilska-Pereda Executive Franchise Partner - Hackney, East London
Magda lives in Hackney, East London with her twin boys Elias and Mateo and her husband Alex. When she's not creating more time and headspace for her clients she can be found running, cycling, exploring outdoors or organising social gatherings with friends and family. Magda also loves to practice yoga, read and listen to music.
Learn more about Magda and her specialist Virtual Assistant services and skills.
Heather Walker Franchise Partner - York, Yorkshire
Heather, a farmer’s daughter and countryside lover lives in the small village of Melbourne, outside York with her husband, two teenage children, and their pet Cavapoo. After spending most of her life in the South East of England, she moved to York in 2004, and for the past 20 years, she has established a strong career in education and university administration.
Having grown up in Berkshire and completed a degree in English and German, Heather spent a formative year in Freiburg, Germany, which enriched her language skills and broadened her cultural awareness. After university, she pursued a career in education, moving between various roles, from teaching to university and charity administration.
Lynsey Pirie Franchise Partner, Edinburgh (North).
Born and raised in Edinburgh, Lynsey has always been driven by a strong sense of community and determination.
Lynsey’s professional background includes nearly 12 years as an Executive Assistant at a global asset management firm, with expertise in diary management, international coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Through her Virtual Assistant business, Lynsey provides administrative, executive, and project support to businesses across Edinburgh and beyond. With a particular focus on sectors like investment and wealth management, where her expertise really shines.
Learn more about Lynsey and her specialist Virtual Assistant services and skills.
Melanie Pollard Franchise Partner, Warrington, UK
Originally from Northampton, Melanie Pollard now proudly heads up all things Alchemy Virtual Assistance in Warrington.
After studying Business and Management at Salford University Melanie began a career in retail management in London, where she stayed for almost seven years. A move into the legal sector followed and she developed a long and successful career as a Legal PA and Paralegal, working in Manchester.
Melanie’s career has been wide-ranging and people-focused and over the years she has supported senior partners and teams across law firms, health and safety consultancies, and accountancy firms.
Learn more about Melanie and her specialist Virtual Assistant services and skills.
Lisa Keefe Alchemy VA Franchise Partner, Swindon - UK
Based in Hungerford, on the Berkshire-Wiltshire border, Lisa brings the same attention to detail, professionalism and client care that helped her rise from receptionist to Head of Department in a law firm to businesses across Swindon and the surrounding areas.
Unlike many professionals, Lisa didn't take the 'traditional' university route. Raised by a single mother, she wanted to start earning straight away and secured her first role at just 19 years old as a receptionist at a magistrates' court in Reading.
Learn more about Lisa and her specialist Virtual Assistant services and skills.
Our latest Virtual Assistant Franchise Partner Alchemy VA Franchise Partner - Cheshire Launching autumn 2026
More details to follow soon...
Could you be the next person to join our Virtual Assistant Franchise Family?
We are always on the look out for new aspiring Virtual Assistant business owners who we can take under our wing and welcome to the Alchemy Virtual Assistant family.
Learn more about how you can start and grow your own successful Virtual Assistant business with Alchemy VA. We'd love to explore supporting you on your Virtual Assistant journey...