The Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) has recruited its first employee since the global charity made the decision to move to a virtual office post-Covid.

Suzie Brushett, from Bursledon, Southampton, has been appointed as PA to the Chief Executive, Patrick Fleming, and the charity Chair, Charles Humpleby, comes to the JST from her role of Executive Assistant at a naval architect firm in Southampton.

Suzie’s appointment comes after the global sailing charity recently announced it is to embrace a new work-life balance post-Covid by permanently moving to a new virtual office.

A keen sailor and experienced executive assistant, Suzie is no stranger to working remotely, and because of the Covid crisis, has been working from home for over a year. She is a great believer in the flexibility offered from a remote-working position and is excited to get settled into her new role.

She said: “I’m extremely excited about joining the JST team. With a mission that offers people of mixed abilities to explore their potential at sea, it really is something great to be a part of.

“And having the opportunity to work remotely, gives me the perfect work-life balance.”

A flexible working model and a better work-life balance was something at the front of Chief Executive Patrick Fleming’s mind when it came to a remote working model for the charity. He said: “Moving to a more agile work environment with a virtual office set up is a great step forward but maintaining face to face contact with colleagues and interacting with other businesses is so critical. Our membership with the innovative Old Bond Store in Southampton enables us to do this and to get the best of both worlds.”

On Suzie’s appointment, Patrick added: “We are delighted to welcome Suzie to the JST team, and as our needs as a charity, and as a team, change, it is great that we can welcome our first ‘virtual’ recruit.

“With her first-hand experience of sailing itself as well as her recent positions giving her vital knowledge of the boating community, Suzie will be a great asset to the charity.

Like many other charities, JST has had to scale back its fundraising activities during the pandemic, but now, with a new virtual office and new members of the team, it hopes to get back to raising money so it can continue to make a difference to people’s lives.

The charity offers people of all abilities the opportunity to climb aboard their tall ship Tenacious for an immersive sailing experience and relies on funding from the public. Since its founding in 1978 the Jubilee Sailing Trust has welcomed more than 50,000 people on board.