Making work work better.
Practical business support, online business management and project delivery — from someone who gets involved and gets things done.
Hi, I'm Debra, the person behind CollabWork.
I work alongside business owners and organisations, helping them manage the day-to-day, improve how things work and move projects forward.
Sometimes that means taking care of the practical stuff. Other times, it's taking responsibility for a project, helping untangle a problem or getting more involved in the running of the business.
Whatever the challenge, I bring experience, ideas, initiative and a genuine interest in the people I work with.
Because I believe running a business is a lot easier when you've got the right person alongside you.
Let's have a chat
Hi, I'm Debra.
Plenty of experience. A natural problem-solver. And someone who likes to get things done.
I've spent over 30 years working closely with senior leaders and teams across corporate, charity and public-sector organisations. My experience includes coordinating complex executive-level work, leading initiatives and bringing people together to make things happen.
I've never been someone who simply sticks to a job description. I enjoy getting involved, understanding how things fit together, spotting what needs attention and making things happen.
I'm also an accredited Online Business Manager and hold an AgilePM Foundation certification, combining professional development with years of hands-on experience.
Today, I bring that experience into CollabWork, working directly with clients to provide practical support, take responsibility and help their businesses run more smoothly.
And I genuinely enjoy getting to know the people behind the businesses I work with. For me, those relationships are every bit as important as the work itself.
A little more about meYou might be here because…
• You're spending so much time keeping everything going that you rarely get to focus on developing your business.
• You've got ideas and projects you want to move forward, but there's never quite enough time.
• Your business has grown or changed, and some of your systems and processes haven't kept up.
• You could do with someone experienced to take responsibility for certain areas, rather than having to manage every detail yourself.
• You want someone you can trust, talk things through with and rely on to get things done.
Sound familiar?
Sometimes you need an extra pair of hands. Sometimes you need someone to take a step back, see the bigger picture and work out how to move forward. Often, it's a combination of both.
How I can help
No two businesses are the same, and I don't believe support should come in a one-size-fits-all package.
Business & Operational Partnership
If you're ready to hand over more responsibility, I can become an ongoing part of how your business operates. Through Online Business Management (OBM), I help manage agreed areas of your business, coordinate people and activities, contribute ideas and make sure decisions turn into action. It's about having someone alongside you who understands your business and takes ownership, rather than waiting to be told what to do next.
Projects, Systems & Improvements
Got a project that needs moving forward? Or something in your business that could work better? I can help plan and deliver projects, coordinate events and programmes, review processes, explore better systems and oversee practical improvements. From working out what needs doing to making sure it happens, I'm happy getting involved in both the thinking and the doing.
Practical Business & VA Support
Sometimes you simply need reliable help with the everyday work. From diaries, bookings and client communications to administration and business coordination, I can take care of agreed tasks and responsibilities so you have more time for the things that need your attention.
It's about more than ticking things off a list
I like to understand the businesses I work with — the people, the priorities, the challenges and the things they're trying to achieve.
I'm naturally curious, proactive and someone who joins the dots. I'll ask questions, share ideas, spot things that might otherwise be missed and follow through on what we've agreed.
Sometimes I'll be a sounding board. Sometimes I'll be coordinating a project or improving a process. And sometimes I'll be getting stuck into the practical work.
What matters is building a relationship where there's trust, good communication and the confidence that things are being taken care of.
Don't just take my word for it
“She doesn’t just wait to be given a task; she thinks ahead, brings new ideas to the table and looks for ways she can make things easier and better. Debra delivers on timescales, follows things through and has a natural ability to connect people and opportunities.”
Emily Pearson
Chief Executive Officer, Wellbeing Lead Academy
“Debra is honestly my right hand. When it comes to operations, I barely have to brief her — she just gets it. She takes my often scattered thinking and brings calm, structure and clarity to the chaos.”
Samantha Tremlin
Wellbeing, Leadership & Culture Strategist, Kuutch
“Debra is more than a Virtual Assistant — she’s a business partner. Working with Debra allows me to focus on the work that matters, knowing projects and processes are being implemented thoughtfully and reliably.”
Jennifer Marshall
Founder and Director, Inclusion UK
Inclusive workplaces and neurodiversity
Alongside my business and operational work, I also support individuals and organisations looking to create more inclusive ways of working.
I bring specialist training in workplace neurodiversity, experience in wellbeing and a practical, person-centred approach to this work.
Explore inclusive workplace supportLet's have a chat
You might know exactly what you need help with. Or perhaps you've got a few things going on and aren't quite sure where to start.
Either way, I'm happy to hear about your business, what you're working towards and where I might be able to make a difference.
No hard sell. Just a conversation to see whether we’d work well together.