Out with the old, in with the new: “EUMA Luxembourg” was formally rebranded as “International Management Assistants Luxembourg” during the association’s New Year reception in the city centre.

“The decision was taken last year to change the name to better reflect our international scope, as we already have non-European members and increasingly receive requests for membership,” explains Jane Barton, national chairman.

Founded in 1974 by Sonia Vanular, “who at the age of 95 is an honorary member who still attends international meetings and is an inspiration to us all,” IMA has around 75 individual and corporate members in Luxembourg and over 2,000 worldwide, spread across 29 countries.

It represents a strong community of people doing the same sort of job. Barton says: “Found somewhere between top management and the rest of the team or company, an assistant’s role is often underestimated and can be quite lonely. It is interesting and reassuring to be a part of a group of people who can share best practices and give tips to one another confidentially. It is fantastic to have a network to rely on when you are in need of support, and likewise to be able to give support to others.”

For example, later this year IMA will hold training days on business ethics; in Antwerp in April and then in The Hague in September. There is also an emphasis on social and cultural events, as well as corporate social responsibility: “We are planning further events with Caritas Luxembourg involving many of our corporate members, who are delighted to help us help others!”

In addition, IMA aids companies seeking to recruit management support professionals. “Some of our members are recruitment firms and divulge the competencies they are looking for. We use this information to determine what kind of training sessions to organise in order to stay ahead of the game,” states Barton.

“Quite simply, we are a non-profit here to promote the profession and to encourage people to benefit from our network.”

This article was first published in the February 2017 issue of Delano magazine. Be the first to read Delano articles on paper before they’re posted online, plus read exclusive features and interviews that only appear in the print edition, by subscribing online.