Life in Private Staffing

What does it really take to build a career as a Butler at the very highest level of private service?In this episode of Recruitment Diaries: Life in Private Staffing, Philippa is joined by Andrii Oliinyk, an experienced Head Butler whose career has taken him from an engineering degree and supermarket job to superyachts, a Royal residence in the Middle East and a UHNW private household in London.Andrii's route into private service was anything but traditional. Rather than starting at a prestigious Butler Academy, he learned on the job, continually upskilled and built an international career through hands-on experience.Together, Philippa and Andrii discuss the realities of working at the highest levels of private service, why no two households are ever the same, adapting between Royal and UHNW environments, and why even the most experienced Butlers never stop learning.In this episode, Philippa and Andrii cover:✨ Breaking into private service without the traditional Butler Academy route🛥️ Starting a career in superyachts and learning luxury service from the ground up👑 Five years working inside a Royal residence in the Middle East🌍 Moving from Middle Eastern Royal service to a UHNW private household in London🏡 Why every private household has completely different standards and expectations🍽️ Silver service, VVIP standards and training other Butlers🤝 Leadership, teamwork and building exceptional private household teams💡 Why adaptability and continuous learning are essential for a successful Butler careerWhether you're an aspiring Butler, House Manager, Estate Manager, Private PA, or already working within UHNW private households, this episode offers a fascinating insight into what it really takes to build a career at the highest level of private service.Resources & Links🌐 Visit: www.silverswanrecruitment.com🎧 Follow Recruitment Diaries: Life in Private Staffing on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📱 Follow us on Instagram: @silverswanrecruitment & @silverswanpodcast💬 Join one of our global private staffing communities: [email protected]

In this episode of Life in Private Staffing, I sit down with Sarah Eaton, HR Director at Consensio Holidays, a luxury ski company operating some of the most exclusive chalets in the French Alps.Having placed Sarah in her current role, I knows firsthand the challenges of recruiting and managing seasonal staff in high-pressure, high-end hospitality environments. Together, we dive into:✨ What it takes to run a 70+ strong seasonal team in some of Europe’s most sought-after ski resorts✨ The key qualities Sarah looks for when hiring chalet managers, private chefs, chauffeurs and hosts✨ How Brexit has changed ski season recruitment and staffing dynamics✨ Staff retention, morale and keeping a team motivated through 18 guest-packed weeks✨ How working a ski season can shape careers – and why it’s not just about skiing every daySarah also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the world of luxury chalets – from immersive Frozen-themed kids’ parties to guests flying in their own fine wine collections. Whether you’re thinking about working a ski season, hiring chalet staff, or simply curious about what it takes to deliver world-class service in a demanding environment, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.Resources & Links:🌐 View Consensio Holidays’ vacancies: https://www.consensiochalets.co.uk🌐 Find out more about Silver Swan Recruitment: https://www.silverswanrecruitment.comIf you’re considering a ski season, or looking to hire outstanding chalet staff, don’t miss this episode!

This week we’re joined by Maud, a true powerhouse in the world of private staffing. While many strive for long-term positions, Maud carved her own path – thriving in seasonal roles across Europe, working in chalets, villas, and luxury properties for UHNW clients.Starting as a total newcomer with just 15 minutes’ notice before her first butler shift, she’s now built a reputation as the ultimate fixer – trusted to walk into any household and deliver excellence. Her story takes us from Courchevel to Saint-Tropez, from working solo in high-pressure environments to becoming a sought-after property manager and remote PA.If you’ve ever questioned the value of a seasonal CV, this episode will make you think again. Maud’s adaptability, drive, and perspective on success show there’s more than one way to thrive in the private sector.📍Expect inspiring insights, honest challenges, and a few memorable guest demands (yes — including a clementine taste test).

After meeting Stacey at one of our networking drinks and laughing for hours at all her stories, she willingly agreed to join us as a guest this week. I love finding people with jobs in the private sector that I never knew existed. Did you know that Harrods can look after your private jet for you whilst you are in London? Whether you are ‘parking’ up for a day or a month, Harrods can take your plane, keep it safe, and then ensure it’s restocked and ready for your departure. As the Operations Controller, Stacey would meet and greet passengers off their jet and see them on their way, plus would ensure the plane was ready for them again when they left. From who she met, what people brought to what they requested for departure….her stories are brilliant!

We’re back! After a short break whilst we made some fairly significant changes internally here at Silver Swan, we are delighted to be back. Today, Philippa opens up about Silver Swan and the challenges we faced earlier in the year and the changes that were made and why. We also welcome Lloyd to the show today, an experienced House Manager in Melbourne, Australia. It’s always interesting to see if the private industry any looks different on the other side of the world. He talks about his entry into the industry, how his career progressed over time and his recent stint in the Middle East.

Today we are delving into the wonderful life of a Butler. The highly reputable Julius Smith joins the show with his decades of experience in the field and shares not only many great stories from his long career but also his thoughts on the emergence of the modern butler, the importance of training and what it is that makes a truly great butler. Tune in to learn more about this world.