THE TEAM
HAZEL HOOLE
Founder & Virtual Executive Assistant
Knowing that there is considerable business taking place between South Africa and the United Kingdom, Hazel realised that there is a specialised virtual business support need for those with commercial interests in the UK whilst being based in SA. Coupling her 20+ years’ experience as a London Executive Assistant and her entrepreneurial spirit, Hazel launched VA Centre.
Having lived in SA, UK and the USA, Hazel’s career has taken her along an interesting and varied path.
After co-hosting the breakfast show on RadioSA in London, Hazel found that there was a gap in the market for South African musicians and entertainers wanting to perform in the UK. With this, Hazel co-founded a music management company, Living It Live Ltd which worked with the South African “A-Lister’s” such as Johnny Clegg, Barry Hilton, Prime Circle etc which became the most popular platform in its market.
Rooting for Rhino is a SA based charitable project which Hazel expanded and launched into the UK. By working with about 16,500 children from 46 schools from around the world, we raised global awareness and funds for rhino conservation. We were privileged to work in association with Bear Grylls (raising £18k), Jane Goodall, Global March for Rhino & Elephant, Rotary International and many like-minded charities. Rooting for Rhino UK subsequently merged with Helping Rhinos.
Hazel joined a software development company as shareholder and Director where she turned an idea for cloud based bookkeeping software for self-employed individuals and network marketers into two formal products. This, cloudkeeping is the first and only bookkeeping software developed specifically for Network Marketers in the UK.
Finally, Sheepskin Slippers SA. Hazel is proud to be amongst a very small handful of companies in South Africa who take the time to produce 100% handcrafted genuine leather slippers. Our skilled artisans carefully cut, punch, sew and glue each slipper together by hand using only locally sourced materials.
During her career, Hazel has held banking, office & facility management, global travel management, radio presenting, sales, advertising and executive assistant positions mainly in the banking, music, media, property, software and charity industries.
Qualifications: Hazel holds Diploma’s in Travel & Tourism and Event Management (distinction) and Certifications in Business Administration and Public Relations. She is currently studying e-commerce and digital marketing.
Award Nominations: Nominated for the South African Chamber of Commerce UK, “Giving Back Award” on behalf of the Rooting for Rhino team in 2015 and for the Innovation & Resilience Awards for Sheepskin Slippers SA in 2021.
Committees: Appointed to the Executive Committee of the South African Chamber of Commerce UK in 2020.
Hazel is African at heart, global minded with an entrepreneurial spirit. A horse and music lover, wildlife conservationist and finds dabbling in the garden soul restoring.
She enjoys working with great communicators and those who enjoy a good laugh.