About Us — ACA UK

Founded in the autumn of 2003, the Association of Celebrity Assistants UK is a non-profit organisation created and used by vetted assistants in the support industry working for high profile individuals from the world of entertainment as well as music, sport, fashion, politics, art and more.

We offer members a confidential environment in which to meet and network, exchange ideas, share information and help each other, give advice, post jobs and also work with high profile talent directly on exclusive recruitment projects. We also host exclusive events, online workshops and partner with incredible global brands.

The ACA is the UK’s most established network of its kind, and we are committed to growing in keeping with our Principal’s ever changing needs. Whether this be getting exclusive access to brand new hotels, hosting tech workshops with revolutionary industries or just offering a supporting pillar when you’re up against it, the association continues to grow as a supportive community for its members.

THE BOARD

SADIE foster

· PRESIDENT ·
Sadie has been a member of the ACA-UK since 2020 and joined the board in April 2021. She was Vice President from September 2022 until April 2023, when she was elected President.
Sadie fell into the industry in 2016, joining an award-winning TV & film couple/family initially as their nanny. Her natural talent for endless lists, organising lives & rolling up her sleeves to get the job done shone through in the role and she realised she had found her calling as a Private PA. After spending 4 years representing her employers in NYC, Sadie has since spent her time in London working within the UHNW world; representing high profile businessmen, entrepreneurs and socialites.
In her spare time, apart from being a crazy cat mom to her NYC rescue, she loves travelling, being creative & trying to tame her ADHD brain which fires at 100mph 8 days a week.
president@aca-uk.com
vincenzo ianniello

· VICE PRESIDENT ·
Vincenzo joined the ACA-UK in 2013 and became a Board Member in charge of the Directory from 2015 - 2018. He served as President for two years from April 2021 and was appointed Vice President in April 2023.
Vincenzo started his career as a PA in Rome before moving to London where he’s been working in TV and Film Production the whole time, with brief stints in the restaurant and fashion worlds. He currently assists a multi-awarded Playwright who’s a leading name in the industry. Vincenzo’s experience includes working for London 2012 Ceremonies, the company who delivered four spectacular and unforgettable Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies for the Games of London 2012.
In June 2015 he won the award for Best Private Individual PA at the London PA Awards.
vicepresident@aca-uk.com
leonora hitchcock

· MEMBERSHIPS & WEB ·
Leo joined the ACA-UK in 2021 and was appointed by the Board as the Memberships and Web Co-ordinator in 2023.
After graduating from the University of Sussex with a First Class Degree in Psychology BSc, Leo started her career at a start-up company specialising in online training. In this role she worked her way up from Administrator to Operations Manager; this ever changing and challenging role highlighted her ability to thrive under pressure, whilst always remaining highly organised and adaptable. From here Leo decided her skills were well matched to the world of PA/EA-ing and took the leap to move into that world in 2018; she has never looked back! For the past four years Leo has worked for the Founder and Managing Director of an award-winning TV Production company in London.
Whenever Leo isn’t juggling the many demands of her role, you can find her leading the company’s Responsible Business initiatives, reading fantasy novels, or attempting to make her way through every restaurant in London.
web@aca-uk.com
anna burke

· CAREERS ·
Anna joined the ACA-UK in 2022 and became part of the board shortly after.
Anna started work in London as a Personal Assistant in 2000, with exposure to both the corporate and private side.
Having worked for companies such as Morgan Stanley and ExxonMobil, Anna also spent several years in the TV & Film Industry, in a variety of roles. She worked on both major films and television dramas, which helped her develop skills that are vital for being a successful Assistant.
In 2022 she began her current role as a Private PA to a high profile family in London.
When she’s not working, Anna enjoys spending time with friends and at home in the New Forest with her two daughters and golden retriever.
careers@aca-uk.com
DEBBIE banham

· TREASURER ·
Debbie joined the ACA-UK in 2013 and was elected to the Board as Membership Secretary in August 2022 before moving to Partnerships in March 2023, and stepping up as Treasurer in January 2024.
Debbie started her career in Advertising at McCann-Erickson on some great brands such as Nescafe, Birds Eye Walls and Kawasaki to name a few, but after several years she decided to go off to do a ski season in France running her own Chalet for 6 which included all meals, housekeeping and making sure the guests had the best ski holiday - and as a bonus got to ski every day.
Once back in the UK she resumed her career in Advertising and then decided to move into the world of Finance working for Fidelity Investments.
After several years there she decided to travel around the world and was away for 16 months traveling all over South Africa, Asia and working in Australia where she spent a year.
Returning again to the UK she decided to stay in the world of Finance and 25 years later is still working for a UNHWI in Canary Wharf.
treasurer@aca-uk.com
Vivian von dohmain

· SECRETARY ·
Vivian joined the ACA-UK in 2021 and became Secretary later that year.
Vivian started her career in Private and Executive Assisting 10 years ago with an international non-profit, where she worked with and assisted the UHNW donors of the organisation.
These included A-list actors, foreign government heads and business moguls. She did this for 5 years, after which she moved onto being the Senior Executive Assistant to an Inc. 500 CEO/Founder in the USA.
Vivian is currently in Copenhagen, is a geography buff, and enjoys the opera and symphony when she isn’t reading or chatting up the Swedes.
secretary@aca-uk.com
LASHANTHI WIJESINHA

· MIDDLE EAST AMBASSADOR ·
Lashanthi embarked on her professional journey over a decade ago in the realm of Corporate and Private Assisting, immersing herself in the dynamic world of property, art and entertainment . For over five years, she dedicated herself to supporting and collaborating with Ultra High Net Worth individuals that included A-list celebrities, and influential business magnates.
Her expertise flourished, and she transitioned seamlessly into the role of Personal Assistant / lifestyle manager to an ultra high profile recording artist based in both the UK and the USA, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the success of the artist’s day to day lifestyle.
Currently, you'll find her in the vibrant city of Dubai, where her passion for assisting and serving the UHNW world comes to life.
Lashanthi’s path led her to the ACA-UK in 2022
Beyond her career, Lashanthi finds solace in her personal life. Her main interest is diversity of cultures all around the world and when she is not at work she spends her quality time exploring them through things like food, art, fashion, literature and travel.
For all Middle East conversations, please contact the President.