Designer mocked for ad seeking PA to do vast list of jobs such as ‘making fancy dress costumes’

Designer who worked on London 2012 Olympics is mocked for posting ad seeking PA to complete vast list of jobs from managing his builders to ‘making fancy dress costumes’

  • Thomas Heatherwick was mocked online for the advert for a personal assistant
  • Ad included usual tasks such as attending meetings and updating contacts data
  • But Twitter users were left amused at some other responsibilities which ranged from managing the completion of his house and making fancy dress costumes 

A top London designer behind the iconic Olympic cauldron at the 2012 games has been mocked for seeking a PA to complete a vast list of jobs including ‘making fancy dress costumes’.

Thomas Heatherwick shared the advert online looking for an assistant to work at Heatherwick Studios but has since removed the advert after social media users mocked it.

The extensive list of duties and expectations includes normal tasks such as attending planning meetings and updating Thomas’s contact database.

Top British designer Thomas Heatherwick (pictured) was mocked after posting a demanding list of responsibilities while looking for a PA which includes making fancy dress costumes

But commenters took issue with some of the more unusual tasks such as ‘remembering birthdays and buying gifts’ and ‘any ad hoc tasks that Thomas may require e.g – vehicle maintenance, going to the tailor, making a fancy-dress costume’.

The successful candidate would also be expected to ‘manage the completion of Thomas’s house’ and ‘assisting with the children’s schedules when required’ although he also has a nanny and a housekeeper.

Under personal attributes, the candidate must enjoy the company of children and have an interest in architecture and design.

Twitter users poked fun at the advert, which has since been removed, with most mocking the extensive list of the key duties and responsibilities.

One user wrote: ‘Seems they forgot ‘pack and check Thomas has his lunchbox’ and ‘ensure Thomas has been to the toilet’. Also, WHAT IS THE PAY?’

Another added: ‘Somebody please remind Thomas it is his birthday this Wednesday 17th Feb and that he is 51!!!! He seems so busy he might have forgotten.’

One Twitter user wrote: ‘Got to say, describing ‘making a fancy dress costume’ as a potential ad hoc request/demand rather than a planned task leads to many more questions. It’s like if Peter Griffin had a p.a.’

Other users joked that perhaps what Thomas was actually after was a wife or that his list of expectations would be more appropriate in the 1950s.

Thomas Heatherwick's studio was behind Olympic Cauldron used at the 2012 London games

Thomas Heatherwick’s studio was behind Olympic Cauldron used at the 2012 London games

One wrote: ‘I think he’s actually looking for a *very* tolerant wife who will unfailingly love and raise his children. And who also shares his interest in architecture and design.’ 

Mr Heatherwick, who has been described as one of the UK’s most significant designers, is the mind behind the Olympic cauldron used during the 2012 London games, the new Routemaster bus and the now-cancelled Garden Bridge.

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