Staffing a New Home
The task of properly staffing a new property from scratch can at first appear to be daunting. Whether you have other properties, and so have a good idea of what might be required, or are staffing your first home, there are many things to consider.
The starting point is to determine your needs, and the demands of the property in question. The size, complexity and formality all need to be taken into account. Some initial points for consideration include:
- Whether this is your only home, or one of multiple properties.
- Whether there are large gardens, grounds, associated land and/or livestock.
- If quarters for live-in staff will be required, whether this encompasses all or only some of the staff, and the accommodation required.
- The overall size of the property.
- Do you want your environment to be very formal, or more relaxed?
- Will accommodation for a fleet of cars, or access to yachts or jets be required?
- What the security arrangements will be, particularly for high-profile families.
- If a Family Office or private accounting or legal team is required, and whether it will be housed here or elsewhere.
- The needs of the family and lifestyle – gastronomic preferences, level of service, presence and age of any children, etc.
Thinking about these things in advance can help you determine the number and variety of staff which might be most beneficial to you
A large and complex home, particularly one which incorporates a Family Office or is part of a portfolio of properties, might begin with a Chief of Staff. This individual is often seen as the right-hand-man or -woman to the Principal, and commonly operates from within the Family Office. The Family Office manages the family’s wealth, financial affairs, assets and investments, with a team often including executive assistants, a legal team, accountants, portfolio and wealth managers, etc.
Within the household itself, the starting point is likely to be a Household Manager. This person is the backbone of the domestic staff, and can assist with putting the rest of the team in place, mapping the property’s requirements and helping to decide upon the staffing needs. The Household Manager will often take the lead on hiring and training new members of staff (although some Family Offices also include HR personnel who have a role in this). There might then be an assistant or deputy household manager, to help with their duties and provide cover in the Household Manager’s absence.
If the Household Manager is the backbone of the property, then Personal Assistants are analogous with cartilage – they help to connect all the parts together. They liaise on behalf of the Principal, acting as their eyes and ears and generally making life smoother and easier. Typical tasks include planning and executing diary appointments, travel arrangements and communications of all kinds.
A housekeeping team will, of course, be necessary. Larger homes might require multiple housekeepers operating under a Head or Executive Housekeeper who will plan rosters and manage the team. A Laundress and/or Wardrobe Manager are seen by some Principals as a must-have, particularly those with an interest in fashion or who own luxury garments requiring specialised care. A Wardrobe Manager will shop, organise the wardrobe according to seasonal requirements, and pack for travel.
For Principals requiring service as part of their household, a Butler will provide food and beverage service and will often plan and organise social events, dinner parties, and so on. A Butler might travel alongside the Principal and their family, lending constant support. As a high-ranking member of the household, there can often be some “blur” between a butler’s duties and those of a PA or even Chief of Staff, however many Principals opt to have two or all three of these to ensure completeness.
Many Principals, particularly those with families, might want to consider a Private Chef or a team of chefs. Some people prefer only the evening meal to be prepared, or only on special occasions, and others will require every meal. Naturally there is a wide range of Private Chefs to cater to different tastes and requirements – from those with Michelin Starred backgrounds to a team preparing family meals on a regular basis. International families might want a chef capable of preparing authentic dishes from their homeland.
Principals with young children almost always require nannies.
- For new mothers, a maternity nurse can be extremely welcome during the early months, assisting with sleep scheduling, feeding patterns, and encyclopaedic baby knowledge on tap.
- For those with young children, a team of rota nannies (so called because the rotation ensures cover is available 24/7) is a good option, they will assist with day-to-day care as well as milestones such as weaning and potty training.
- Many people move on to a full time nanny once the children are a little older – toddlers and young children. These nannies will assist in the well-rounded growth of the children, assisting with anything and everything as well as navigating social calendars and planning fun activities.
- School age children might require a governess (or the male equivalent, a governor) to help with learning and further development. Multi-lingual governesses and governors are in high demand for international families.
Security is of paramount importance to UHNW (Ultra-High Net Worth) and high profile Principals, and many families in these brackets employ security teams, including military-trained close protection officers. These highly trained individuals will often travel with the family, protecting them at all times.
Chauffeurs don’t just drive Principals to black-tie balls, as is the stereotype, but assist the whole family with their transportation needs. They are extremely helpful with both professional and social appointments, as well as with children’s extracurricular activities. More complex properties, perhaps with a fleet of cars, jets and yachts, might have a Director of Transport overseeing a team of chauffeurs and other staff. Together they would ensure the management and maintenance of all aspects of travel for the Principal and their family.
Groundsmen and gardeners are obviously required at homes with large gardens or extensive land. They’ll undertake and maintain landscaping, attending to flowers, trees, shrubs and all aspects of garden care (and/or, for our American friends, yard work). For larger teams, a Facilities and Maintenance Manager might oversee and organise the work.
Overall, the staff team put in place will depend upon the size, complexity and formality of the home in question. Some properties will require a large, diverse team, others perhaps just a housekeeper and a nanny. Others might only want a Michelin-starred chef. Whatever your needs with respect to private staff, we at Pembury Partners would be delighted to provide a free-of-charge consultation to discuss your particular requirements.
Pembury Partners can help you fully staff your new home anywhere in the world, whatever the size.
