Finding the right private staff for your household or family office goes beyond assessing skills and experience. It’s just as important to ensure they align with your lifestyle, household dynamics, and expectations. That’s why many private employers choose a temp-to-perm (TTP) hiring model—allowing them to trial a candidate before offering a permanent contract. A survey by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation found that nearly 50% of temporary workers transitioned to permanent positions within the organisations they were assigned to, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach in securing committed employees.

Why Choose TTP for Private Staff?

Ensure the Right Fit

A trial period lets you assess how a staff member integrates with your household, interacts with existing staff, and handles responsibilities before making a long-term commitment.

Flexibility Without the Admin Burden

If a candidate isn’t the right match, you can adjust your staffing needs quickly. As your Employer of Record, we handle payroll, HR administration, and compliance, meaning you avoid the complexities of setting up contracts, taxes, and benefits.

Adjust Working Hours as Needed

Hiring on a temporary basis allows you to fine-tune schedules and workloads before committing to a full-time hire. Whether it’s determining the required hours for a housekeeper or trialling a private PA’s support level, TTP hiring provides valuable flexibility.

Quick Replacements When Needed

If a candidate isn’t the right fit, we can provide an alternative, ensuring minimal disruption to your household or family office operations.

Key Roles That Benefit from a TTP Approach

Housekeepers

A housekeeper plays a vital role in maintaining a home’s cleanliness and organisation, but every household has different standards and preferences. A trial period allows you to assess:

• Their attention to detail and ability to meet household expectations.
• How well they integrate with existing staff and daily routines.
• Their level of discretion and professionalism in a private setting.

Butlers

A butler is responsible for a household’s formal service, front-of-house management, and guest hospitality. The right fit depends on factors like:

• Experience with formal service protocols or specific household traditions.
• Ability to manage staff, oversee events, and cater to personal preferences.
• Adaptability to the household’s pace, lifestyle, and guests.

Private Chefs

Food is deeply personal, and hiring a private chef requires more than just reviewing a CV. A TTP approach allows you to:

• Ensure their cooking style aligns with your family’s dietary needs and tastes.
• Assess their ability to plan menus, source ingredients, and adapt to preferences.
• Determine if their personality and discretion suit your household.

Nannies

Hiring a nanny is one of the most personal staffing decisions for any household. A trial period helps ensure:

• Their childcare approach aligns with your parenting style.
• They build a strong and comfortable bond with your children.
• Their schedule and adaptability work within your household’s routine.

Private PAs

A Private PA manages personal affairs, travel, and household administration, requiring a high level of trust and efficiency. A TTP period allows you to:

• Test their ability to manage sensitive information discreetly.
• Assess their efficiency in organising schedules, handling logistics, and coordinating with other staff.
• Ensure their communication style aligns with your expectations.

By opting for a TTP arrangement, you gain peace of mind, flexibility, and ease of hiring – all without the administrative burden of payroll and compliance.

For more information on hiring private staff on a TTP basis, contact us today.

The post The Benefits of Hiring Private Staff on a Temp-to-Perm Basis appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Have you considered hiring temp staff for your private household? Our clients find our amazing pool of vetted, five-star domestic talent to be the perfect solution to cover any gaps in their staffing. As a leading private staff agency, we cover an array of temporary positions from private housekeepers to private chefs, temporary nannies to chauffeurs, and can have a candidate at your home with very little notice.

In this episode of Tiger Tales, our Head of the Temporary Division at Tiger Private, Ruth Edwards, demonstrates just how simple it is for private clients to hire temporary or seasonal staff. She also demystifies how a temp-to-perm contract works in the private sector, so you can be sure to find the right arrangement for your principal.

Contact us to discuss how hiring a temp can work for you.

The post Podcast: Hiring temps for your private household appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Are you a chef who is looking to pick up an extra shift doing the catering for a party? Are you a nanny looking to gain experience in different households? Why not put yourself forward for temp roles! Temping is a great way work around your schedules, gain experience in different environments, and earn some extra money.

In this podcast, our Head of the Temporary Division at Tiger Private, Ruth Edwards, explains how temping works for our candidates. She clarifies common misconceptions and outlines the benefits of temping in the private sector.

Are you a looking for a temp role in the private sector? Submit your details online today!

The post Podcast: Temping in the Private Sector appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

To say that being a personal assistant to a private individual is demanding would be an absolute understatement! As an exclusive household staffing agency, we understand that supporting a principal in their private life can mean that you’re on call at all hours of the day and must sometimes do the impossible. If you want to become a private or talent PA, you must stay on top of your game and work as efficiently as possible. We’ve put together a list of habits that the best private PAs have developed.

Write everything down

Whether you work off diaries or electronic calendars and memos, a great private or family office PA will make sure every little detail is recorded somewhere. You will deal with an immense amount of information and incoming requests, and it’s likely that something will slip under the radar and be forgotten if it’s not documented. This is also best practice as you never know when you might need these records in the future!

Have a bag packed to go at all times

This side of being a private PA to HNWI can be both exciting and daunting, as you may be asked to accompany your principal on a trip at a moment’s notice. By having a bag at the ready, you can be out of the house and into the private jet as quickly as possible. Alternatively, this could result in a disastrous situation where you’ve hurriedly packed your bag and forgotten something important, like your passport or the itinerary. Word to the wise – remember to repack the bag once you return home!

Keep your ‘little black book’ of contacts up to date

The longer you’re in the private sector, the more contacts you will accrue through working with suppliers, businesses and the network of your principal. At Tiger Private, our consultants have experience working within the private sector before they joined our private staffing agency, so we know that these contacts are invaluable! For example, if you know you have a great relationship with the best florist in town, make sure you’re the first to know when they move locations or go through internal staff changes and update this information. In addition, make a note if your go-to suppliers go on holiday and ensure you have a secondary point of contact in their absence.

Take time out to recharge

This may seem difficult considering the taxing nature of the role, but try to take a few minutes every day to relax and unwind. Whether it’s a meditation session before bed, or an opportunity to take five minutes in the day to yourself, it’s essential to take regular breaks to relax. Even though you spend all your waking hours looking after someone else’s needs, it doesn’t mean your wellbeing as a private PA isn’t important!

If you’re looking for a private PA or secretarial jobs in London and around the world, we can help! Submit your details online, or look at our live job listings to kick-start your career.

The post Habits of highly effective private PAs to HNWI appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

A candidate who has spent time working on a superyacht may have initially been attracted to a life at sea and the idea of sailing around the world, but there may come a time when they’re ready to be based in one place. Luckily, the polished standards of working on a yacht can translate directly to a private household of an UHNWI.

If you’re worried that the transition is too much of a stretch, don’t be! The two environments are more similar than you know. You already possess the transferrable skills to take on the challenges of a shore-based role, and you’re ready to start looking for a job in a private household.

Attention to detail

If you’ve worked on a yacht, you know that the attention to detail is as significant there as it would be at a 5* hotel: only the best will do. The standard going into a private household or working as chalet staff is the same – you have to be the invisible presence, ready to jump into action as soon as your principal leaves the room. On the yachts, you will have learnt how to look out for a fingerprint smudge on a light switch, or the pillows that need fluffing on the sofa. Your eagle eye for resetting a room will be incredibly well-received once you enter a private household.

Knowing how to satisfy the principal’s expectations  

Before a new trip, your chief steward will have provided you with a briefing on the guests, including the correct way to address them. So, you know that an English gentleman and an American billionaire might have different expectations on how you, as staff, will approach them. You understand the nuances between people of different nationalities and cultures, and know why it’s important to get them right. This knowledge will act as a fantastic base for your role in a private household. In terms of technical skills, your silver service and wine service training are likely to be called upon, so do brush up on your knowledge if you believe you might be lacking in those areas.

Understanding the importance of presentation

Your appearance, as one of the yacht crew, is extremely important – and it’s equally so when working as private household or villa staff. Generally speaking, the expectation is that there should be no visible tattoos or piercings, and no unnatural coloured dies in your hair, for example. However, if you have experience working with UHNWI, you’ll know that they may also prescribe a very specific dress code. The ability to roll with the punches and deal with unusual requests will put you in good stead in a private household.

Being familiar with the hierarchal working environment

If you’re comfortable with the hierarchy on a yacht, you will definitely be at home with the staff set-up in a private household. The chief steward equivalent role, in a domestic setting, will be your house manager, and you’ll likely be working alongside housekeepers in the place of stewards/stewardesses. Knowing the hierarchy and what each station means will make you feel at home in your new shore-based environment.

Preparing for unusual hours

Working for UHNWI means that you must be prepared to work around your principal’s schedule. If you have experience on a yacht, you’ll understand these demands because you have most likely been disturbed during your rest hours once or twice! Once you accept this as part of the job, you’ll be better prepared than most.

If you’re an ex-yachtie and you’re now looking for a shore-based role, as either permanent or temporary private household staff, Tiger Private can help! Submit your details today.

The post Five ways your yacht experience can help you transition into a private household appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

One of the most popular questions we receive from PAs and executive assistants is ‘how do I become a private PA?‘ With a reputation for being a glamourous career with the potential for overseas travel, we can see why!

However, the reality is very different. Working as a private household PA can be far less appealing than what popular culture suggests, with long hours, stressful situations and lots of admin.

Our Tiger Private team understand the intricacies of working as a household PA. In this podcast, they reveal how candidates can transition to a private PA role, while busting some of the biggest myths about the job.

—

Are you a private household PA looking for a new job? Register your details or apply for a role today!

The post Podcast: How to become a private PA appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

We sat down with one of our PA Collective® partners, Chapman Freeborn, to chat about how COVID-19 has changed private air travel. Chapman Freeborn is one of the leading private jet charter firms, with incredible 24-hour global flight support and offices worldwide. Read on for an insight into the world of private jet travel during a global pandemic.

Private air travel during a pandemic Q+A

How has the experience of private air travel changed due to the pandemic?

With continually changing entry requirements for different countries — including European countries — our passengers have to be prepared for additional health and safety precautions at the airports and onboard the aircraft. Passengers may be required to wear masks and gloves at some private jet terminals. They may need to fill in additional health forms and even go through random COVID-19 tests on arrival to some countries. We are working hard to minimise the impact of this by staying in regular contact with our passengers and guiding them through the rules and procedures. However, clients remain responsible for following government regulations.

Where are the top destinations clients want to travel to right now?

At the moment, we see a lot of demand for Croatia, Montenegro, the Balearic Islands (Ibiza and Palma are the top) as well as Cote D’Azur. Greece is popular, however, due to strict rules on arrival and the late opening for UK traffic, Greece missed out as the initial wave of holidaymakers went elsewhere. We see some demand for Portugal as well, but it would have been more significant if Portugal was on the UK’s safe-countries list.

Are there any countries that are easier or more difficult to fly to right now?

Greece is currently amongst the most challenging countries in Europe as they perform random COVID-19 tests on arrival. Most other countries in Europe are much easier to get into and have more or less the same entry requirements.

What are the top reasons people are travelling now? For example, is it for business, leisure or health reasons?

Most of our passengers are currently travelling for leisure. We see growing demand from people who have never been on a private jet but are able to afford it — they want to stay away from crowded airports and travel privately for health and safety reasons.

Are there any interesting/surprising trends you’ve seen throughout the pandemic?

The most interesting trend is the growing demand from first-time flyers — people who have never considered flying private before. With new technologies in place and effective trip management systems, we can offer trips at heavily discounted rates — some of our clients have been pleasantly surprised at what they can afford. Private jets are designed to carry smaller groups of people who would be comfortable to fly close to one another.

How do you see for the future of private air travel?

We are confident that the private jet charter market will see substantial growth in the next two years. We will see more clients who will be using this service once or twice a year for their holiday travels instead of frequent, low-cost flights. We’ve seen clients who would not want to go back to scheduled flights after flying private, and we think this will become the new trend.

If you’re interested in accessing preferential rates and a personal introduction to Chapman Freeborn, apply to the PA Collective® today!

The post How the pandemic has changed private air travel appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Where do you send a principal who seems to have holidayed everywhere? We asked Osborne & Denée, one of UK’s most exclusive travel agencies and our PA Collective® partner, to share their top trending hotel destinations for 2020. From traditional glam through to minimalist contemporary destinations, there’s something on the list for your principal’s next jaunt.

Six Senses – Kaplankaya, Turkey

The Turkish Aegean coast is known for its clear blue waters, beaches and ancient olive groves. Just north of Bodrum (a city fast becoming known for its celebrity visitors), there is quieter Kaplankaya, an oasis for those who want to leave the hustle and bustle behind. Breathtaking mountains and sea views surround the Six Senses hotel resort and spa, a five-star complex with sustainability at its heart. Initiatives like its onsite water filtration and bottling facilities, fruit and vegetable garden and funds for local projects come part in parcel with the Six Senses name. The property itself is a modernist dream with floor-to-ceiling windows in suites and residential villas with all the mod-cons.

Aman Resort – Sveti Stefan, Montenegro

If your principal has a penchant for the beautiful, historical and isolated, this is the place to book. Sveti Stefan is an area along the central coast of Montenegro that has the best of wild mountains and the beautiful Adriatic Sea, all less than an hour from Tivat airport. The area of the resort is spread across Villa Milocer, a refurbished former royal residence on the mainland, and Sveti Stefan island, a historical fishing village filled with refurbished luxury cottages and suites.

On the island, each residence has been uniquely repurposed for ultimate luxury, in keeping with the charm and serene atmosphere of the area. If you choose a suite within Villa Milocer on the mainland, there is a communal living room, meeting room and a library. There are also three restaurants, two pools, a full-equipped spa, Turkish bath and, for ultimate relaxation, a yoga pavilion, to provide a holiday fit for former owner Queen Marija Karadjordjevic herself.

IMAGE CREDIT: AMAN SVETI STEFAN

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc – Antibes, France

The Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc is a legendary resort along the glittering Cote d’Azur, but is included on this list because old-world glamour is never out of style! With luxury rooms, suites and villas, as well as 33 private, secluded cabanas on offer, there is a room perfect for every family’s needs. Opulence is the word, with the grand hotel flanked by beautiful gardens, six bars and lounges, and two restaurants with incredible views. The spa caters for both adults and children, so even the littlies can be pampered. Concierges are on hand to share specific knowledge of the area, so your principal can make the most of their time in the French Riviera.

Cheval Blanc – St-Tropez

You can’t go wrong with a weekend in St Tropez, but the Cheval Blanc will guarantee an uber-luxe experience for your principal. The hotel has recently renovated their rooms to the highest standards with blue and gold accents, floor-to-ceiling windows, sweeping balconies and incredible views. The hotel also promises extreme privacy with their Exclusive Privacy rooms. Their stunning private beach will complete the relaxing experience.

Mandarin Oriental – Canouan

Accessible only from Barbados or St Vincent, the sprawling Mandarin Oriental resort is located along Godahl Beach on the tiny island of Canouan – and offers a true Caribbean oasis to those seeking complete seclusion. In comparison to popular Barbados, St Lucia or Grenada, the island has all the benefits of crystal-clear water, white-sand beaches and mountain views, without the tourists. The hotel showcases a limited number of suites and villas, thereby providing an exclusive hideaway for your principal. That said, the resort doesn’t lack in amenities: it boasts five restaurants and bars within the hotel complex, with a further four restaurants on the 1200-acre estate.

IMAGE CREDIT: YOTAM SANDAK FOR EDEN ROCK

Eden-Rock – St Barths

Re-opening in November 2019 after Hurricane Irma devastated the French Caribbean in 2017, everything at Eden-Rock is brand new. Its 37 rooms and villas have been rebuilt with modern styling and contemporary décor, all the while maintaining its luxurious ambience and rich history. Eden-Rock is your best bet if you want to send your principal somewhere chic and unexpected, as the hotel is full of surprises (the hotel being built on an actual rock is just the beginning).

Joali – Maldives

With over 1000 islands to choose from, deciding on a destination in the Maldives can be a daunting task. If your principal is looking for something that is unique in personality within a luxury setting, take a look at Joali on the tiny island of Muravandhoo. This five-star resort boasts uniquely-decorated villas, guaranteeing you the perfect room for your principal’s individual taste. The resort also offers a host of special excursions and wellness activities around the island alongside a children-friendly spa.

Jumby Bay – Antigua

Imagine a candlelit dinner on a secluded beach at dusk, paired with a delicious five-course bespoke tasting menu. If your principal is looking for a romantic holiday like no other, Jumby Bay in the tropical West Indies should be on your list. Isolated but beautiful, the island is a car-free zone and only accessible by boat. Four restaurants service 40 rooms, 21 private residences and a handful of luxury villas, in addition to the Jumby Bay farm which offers an organic kitchen farm and garden. It’s the perfect hide-away escape!

Join the PA Collective® today in order to secure preferential rates from Osborne & Denée! Send your CV and LinkedIn profile to pacollective@tiger-recruitment.co.uk to apply.

HEADER IMAGE CREDIT: SIX SENSES KAPLANKAYA

The post Osborne & Denée’s top hotels to book in 2020 appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

You’ve been asked to carry out the seemingly impossible: your principal wants to head to the slopes for the first time, and take their family along with them. How do you plan a ski holiday for a family that doesn’t ski? We asked CEO, Bella Seel, of ALS Ski, for the inside scoop on booking the perfect ski holiday for your Principal. From choosing the right destination through to how to approach ski lessons and setting up alternative activities, they’re on hand to help.

Make sure you choose the right destination

There are a few key factors to take into account when booking the perfect destination for your Principal’s family. Firstly, not every resort is family-friendly, so make sure you do your research. A quiet resort, like St Foy in France, will mean that your Principal will get more out of the trip because they won’t have to deal with the crowds. You also have to think about accessibility – you can’t expect the family to be able to access a ski-in/ski-out resort when they’ve never even tried on a pair of skis. Another consideration is time: somewhere close to the airport may be worth considering if your Principal is on a tight schedule.

A place like Meribel is brilliant for learning, as it’s surrounded by easier runs than somewhere like Chamonix! In general, Austria is renowned for being child- and family-friendly, but you’ll be able to find resorts in France and Switzerland which are suitable as well.

How to go about organising the skiing itself

Once you’ve chosen the right resort with good beginner areas and easy access to restaurants (important for the family to be able to stop and replenish their energy levels), the next thing to organise is the actual skiing. When considering the duration of their first ski holiday, try and opt for a longer vacation of 10 days to two weeks. If it needs to be shorter, Bella recommends a week minimum. It may be tempting to book multiple mini-breaks over a few weekends, but it will mean your principal’s improvement rate will be slower.

If you’ve enlisted the services of a concierge company like ALS Ski, they’ll organise all the logistics at the beginning of the trip. For example, they’ll organise for the ski equipment and staff to go to the chalet, so they can be fitted without the family needing to leave their cosy home-away-from-home.

Catering for the little ones

If your principal has young children, it might be useful to book them in for a lesson at an indoor snow centre before they start their holiday, like the Snowdrome in the UK. It will help them to understand the basics and how to stop themselves, so the family can at least have a small head start before they’re on the mountain.

On the slopes, Bella has five top tips for skiing with children:

• Always pack snacks
• Layering is key
• Clothes should be comfortable
• Good quality equipment is a must
• Tissues are essential (runny noses are a regular occurrence)
• Make sure the children love the ski instructor
• Start early, finish early

Non-ski activities
When booking a ski trip for the first time, it’s important to plan a few non-ski activities as well, because the family will most likely want a break at some point! Family-friendly fun activities include horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice-skating and curling. If you’re looking to book something for the adults, think about snow mobile-ing, hot air ballooning and sledging activities. After a long day of skiing, a session in a spa or an après ski function will also be well received!

If you’re a member of the PA Collective®, email pacollective@tiger-recruitment.co.uk for preferential rates and a personal introduction to ALS Ski. Non-members, send your CV and LinkedIn profile to pacollective@tiger-recruitment.co.uk to apply.

Images courtesy of ALS Ski

The post How to plan a ski holiday for a family that has never skied appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Domestic temporary, contract and seasonal staff can offer benefits beyond leave cover or busier periods – there are plenty of situations where having an extra pair of hands can prove helpful. With an established temporary division, Tiger Private has an ever-growing database of temporary and seasonal chefs, chauffeurs, housekeepers, live-in couples, nannies and other private support staff who are available for a night, weekend, month or even in a temp-to-perm capacity.

If you’re a chief of staff or private PA and responsible for your principal’s staffing requirements, understanding where temporary staff could help can be harder than first thought. As former private PAs and lifestyle managers, our expert team have plenty of experience in ensuring that you have the right levels of support. Here’s our comprehensive guide to hiring temporary staff for a private occasion:

For a weekend away…

Whether it’s a shooting or fishing weekend, or a culinary-themed country retreat, a weekend away is made all the easier with the right help on hand. If your principal is holidaying in the UK countryside, for example, consider hiring a temporary chauffeur for the duration of the trip. You’ll also need a housekeeper to prepare the home for their arrival, maintain it whilst in residence and leave it sparkling once everyone has left. Alternatively, you could hire a temporary live-in couple that can satisfy both roles.

A private chef can look after all catering including menu design, sourcing of ingredients in addition to preparation, service and any required clean up. Similarly, should families be present, a nanny will ensure that Mum and Dad truly relax by taking charge of children, entertaining them during the day and supervising their night-time routine.

If the weekend location is near a major town, contract close protection officers may also be required for your principal’s safety and wellbeing.

For visiting guests at your principal’s main residence…

Your principal’s permanent household staff may need extra support when extended family or friends come to visit. This could mean an extra chef in the kitchen or, if there isn’t a permanent chef on hand, hiring someone to look after the catering so that your family doesn’t need to think about the practicalities when entertaining. You could also look to hire additional housekeepers to maintain guest bedrooms and common areas. For more formal dinner parties, consider hiring temporary butlers to assist with silver service requirements.

If your principal is looking to wine and dine outside of the home, turn to an expert – a contract lifestyle manager can look after all entertainment requirements, making reservations in the hottest restaurants in town or securing seats for the latest theatre.

Should your principal’s guests have young children, treat them to a temporary nanny for their visit!

For your principal’s next event…

Is your principal hosting an event in the near future? Make sure it’s a success by hiring temporary private support for a night. This could range from a whole team of chefs and kitchen attendants, to butlers for meeting, greeting and silver service and housekeepers to prepare and clean the venue. You may even want to consider hiring chauffeurs for a valet service, as well as close protection officers for event security.

For your principal’s extensive travel requirements…

When your principal is hopping from one country to another, having someone to look after their luggage can prove incredibly helpful. As travel packing and wardrobe manager experts, temporary travelling butlers can do just this, ensuring that your principal isn’t without their perfectly pressed tuxedo, ballgown or golfing gear. If your principal doesn’t have permanent close protection officers on hand, hiring temporary bodyguards may be required for additional security purposes.

For your principal’s family holiday…

Should your principal and their family be heading to the slopes over winter or escaping to the heat of summer, you will need to staff their chalet or villa for the length of their vacation. Live-in couples are a popular option for these types of requirements, as they can often look after housekeeping, gardening, chauffeuring or butler responsibilities, as well as training of new staff.
More generally, within a ski chalet or villa, you’ll need to think about hiring a housekeeper for all cleaning duties; a private chef for all culinary requirements, and hosts who can look after elements like airport transfers, logistics, ski hire and other relevant activities.

If your principal would prefer to be seaside, you’ll need to look at hiring yacht crew, such as stewards and stewardesses, deckhands and chefs.

For trying before buying…

If you are looking to hire permanent staff on behalf of your principal, but want an immediate start or a longer probation period, a temp-to-perm arrangement is a great solution. It allows both parties to test out the role and working environment before committing long-term and lessens the risk should it not work out. Generally, candidates looking for temp-to-perm placements are also available immediately, meaning you can get them working as soon as possible.
–
Should you need to hire temporary and seasonal private staff, Tiger Private can help. Get in touch today.

The post How temporary staff could help your Principal appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

As with any role, salaries are dependent on experience, qualifications, location and job responsibilities, and so can range widely. As a private staff agency in London, we hope to offer a better understanding of the current market so as to provide insight into the industry standard and guide you in the hiring process.

Tiger’s 2018 Salary Review collated data from 7010 candidates registered in 2017, providing a general overview of salary ranges in private households. The following figures are quoted in gross terms and don’t include benefits and bonuses.

The post A guide to private household salaries appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

When hiring a butler, it’s not enough to look at their professional skills and knowledge – their personality must also be considered. Butlers in London and elsewhere are required to have a diverse set of soft skills that distinguish them from other house attendant roles. The team at Tiger Private is a specialist butler recruitment agency and home staffing agency. As such, understand what to look for in a butler for a private household.

—

Looking to hire a butler? Tiger Private can help. Get in touch today. 

The post The qualities every butler should possess appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

A fantastic onboarding process, in a business or when recruiting for a private household, can make the difference between an employee enjoying their role and feeling like they’ve made the wrong choice.

What is onboarding?

Onboarding is the process of integrating a new employee into an organisation. It differs from orientation in that it covers a series of events, often over a multi-month period. It’s the first opportunity to set your new employee up for success, leaving them feeling supported and prepared for their new role.
In private households, in the absence of a traditional HR professional, this responsibility often falls to a private household PA or house manager. But with no official structure in place, it can be hard to know where to start. Get it right with these tips.

Prepare accordingly

Give your new employee the best chance of success by creating a detailed onboarding plan in preparation for their first day. Make sure you communicate their start date, time and location well in advance, as well as clarifying who they should be asking for upon arrival. Collate a professional welcome pack for their reference, including a house manual, payroll forms and any legal documents, such as an NDA. It’s also worth informing the principal and all other staff members of their imminent arrival, so they know to expect a new face within the household.

Face time on the first day

The foundation of any successful professional working relationship is communication, and there’s no better time to start this than on the first day. Take the time to meet with your new employee at both the beginning and end of their first day – it will give you a chance to get to know them a little better, as well as explain any necessary information about the house or family. It will also make the employee feel welcome and provide an opportunity to ask questions. In the initial meeting, show them around the relevant parts of the house and introduce them to any staff members.

Confirm responsibilities and organise training

While it may have been discussed during the recruitment process, it’s best to reiterate what tasks you expect the employee to complete in their new role. Running through each responsibility within the context of the home will give them a clear framework on which they can base their role, while allowing them to visualise what each task involves. If within remit, organise for them to shadow a fellow staff member in their first few weeks so they can see exactly how tasks should be performed.

It’s also worth establishing communication plans – who they report into, what they should do in an emergency and how the household communicates for less-urgent matters.

Create an onboarding structure

If an employee knows what to expect within the first weeks of their employment, they’ll feel much more confident approaching the role. Therefore, it’s worth laying out a plan of what their first month will look like. The initial ‘information dump’ can be incredibly overwhelming, so offering a structure where they have opportunities for questions, feedback and learning can be very reassuring. Should it be relevant, consider establishing initial goals so that the employee feels like they are contributing from the outset. These don’t need to be intensive – in fact, it’s better if they aren’t – but should give the employee an indication of what their role will look like moving forward.

Work out the legalities

In absence of an established HR system, elements like payroll and legal requirements can be confusing to a new employee. If you are a household PA or house manager, you should be the point of contact for all these concerns and as such, communicate how they work from the outset. Within the first few weeks, make sure you receive and process all employment paperwork and set up the relevant payment systems. Explain the pay dates, benefits and how expenses are submitted and reimbursed so there is no confusion. For full transparency, it may be worth having the family lawyer draw up an employment contract that both parties sign and keep.

–
We sat down with employment lawyer, Sofia Syed, to discuss hiring in a private household. Find out her best tips and tricks here.
–
Tiger Private can assist with all household and private PA recruitment, taking the stress out of hiring. Get in touch today!

The post The importance of onboarding in a private household appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

As the rising temperature and lighter evenings show, summer is tantalisingly close, meaning holidays are just around the corner. You can almost smell the salty air and sun tan lotion. As the anticipation of your imminent break from everyday life rises, know that if you haven’t yet hired your household staff you might not get that all-important break you really need. Hiring domestic help for your holiday home will alleviate the stress of keeping things clean, organising childcare, cooking and travel. Your Private PA can of course coordinate this and ensure your household staff work seamlessly together – both at home and abroad.

These are some of the ways you can benefit from private staff in your holiday home:

A Private Chef to cater for your friends and family

Managing the food shopping and cooking a meal is not suited to everyone, especially if you’re hosting a large group on holiday. The benefit of hiring a Private Chef while you’re on holiday ensures that you can enjoy a relaxing day and come back to a perfect evening with friends and family that’s been organised ahead of time. You can arrange a menu alongside the Chef if you prefer, or alternatively let them surprise you with carefully-prepared local ingredients and paired wine, all tailored to your party’s dietary requirements and preferences.

Ensure the house is always guest-ready with a Housekeeper

A Housekeeper, employed either part-time or full-time, can contribute significantly to the comfort of your second home. If they’re employed on a permanent basis, they’ll only need to visit the property a few days each week to ensure that the house is always prepared for guests, no matter how last-minute the trip might be. While you’re staying in the house, you might wish to increase their hours to relieve yourself of any cleaning or laundry burdens too.

A Driver for stress-free travel

A Private Chauffeur can play an instrumental role in easing the travel stresses to and from airports while leaving you safe in the knowledge that you can start unwinding as soon as you take off. If you’re planning on visiting wineries or enjoying long lunches / dinners away from the house, a Chauffeur also means you can relax and enjoy a drink too. If you enjoy driving and have a larger group of people to coordinate, a Private Driver can also help with getting everyone to one venue at the same time.

A Lifestyle Manager to plan your schedule

If you lead a busy life, hire a Lifestyle Manager to organise your trip for you. They will manage any restaurant reservations, outings, events, or appointments and take the stress out of holidaying with a large group. The itinerary can be as flexible or as planned as you wish but it just means all you (and your guests) need to do is turn up and enjoy your break.

A Wellness Instructor to protect your zen

Whether you’re a yogi or a pilates pro, a private instructor will guarantee you stay on track with your practice whilst away from home and leave you feeling even more refreshed and energised on your return home.

Tiger Private sources experienced household staff, uniquely matched to your bespoke requirements. Contact us today for more information.

The post Hire your household staff for the summer appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Becoming a celebrity personal assistant (PA) can be a rewarding experience for anyone seeking a challenge in London or the UK. One question that almost every private PA asks – how do I become a celebrity PA? With visions of travelling the world, attending lavish parties and brushing shoulders with the world’s elite, it’s a career that many aspire to. However, with a 24/7 schedule, demanding workload and tasks ranging from laundry to lifestyle management, the reality of a celebrity PA job can be a little different.

Learn more about private support jobs

What is a celebrity PA?

A personal PA to a celebrity involves high-level support to a high-profile and publicly known individual. As the right-hand man or woman, a PA will usually work incredibly long hours in a pressurised environment – after all, it’s working for someone who is used to getting what they want, exactly when they want it. A personal assistant to a celebrity will provide some of the following:

• Extensive diary management
• Organise all domestic and international travel
• Communication management
• Liaise with other members of the support team
• Looking after all personal errands

What skills does a celebrity PA job require?

To carry out a celebrity PA job efficiently, the fantastic individual must be incredibly organised, more than capable of juggling many tasks at one time and able to shift priorities and respond to changes while under pressure. They can go from confidante to communicator in one swift turn and as such, need to be able to think on their feet and act with the highest levels of discretion at all times.

A personal assistant to celebrities will also have fantastic written and verbal communication skills, be a whiz at planning events and parties, and have exceptional research skills, confidently hunting down information or goods as required, more often at the very last minute.

Finally, a successful celebrity PA will possess outstanding interpersonal skills, as they need to work closely with their principal, as well as other members of the team and external collaborators.

Benefits and challenges of a celebrity personal assistant job

While it is hard work, there are perks to a celebrity assistant job. It offers a hugely variable workload and the chance to really make the job your own. Due to the demanding nature of the role, it can also be a chance to solidify your skills and transition into a true 1:1 gatekeeper. This kind of experience is only a positive to employers when the time comes to start looking at new opportunities.

Supporting someone that closely also comes with its own set of challenges. A celebrity PA will naturally create a close relationship with the high-profile individual. While there are lots of people around you, the job often requires you to work by yourself without anyone to bounce ideas off, delegate tasks to or confirm your thinking.

How to become a celebrity PA

Becoming a personal assistant to celebrities requires a long-term plan. As with any private PA role, the key to securing and succeeding in a celebrity personal assistant job is building up your experience supporting an ultra-high-net-worth-individual (UHNWI). If you are a business PA, look to increase the amount of private support in your role. Even if this starts at an 80-20 split, this is a great base on which you can build your experience. Over the next few years and your next few roles, look to increase this split until eventually you are comfortable supporting an individual on a completely private basis. From there, it’s about networking and finding out about opportunities to support a celebrity or UHNWI. A recruiter like Tiger Private can often help in this case, proving your experience follows a similar route to the above.

—

Tiger Private often recruits for celebrity PAs in London and internationally. Should you be a private PA looking for work as a celebrity PA, make sure to get in touch.

The post Becoming a Celebrity PA appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

As a private PA, you’re likely to have a demanding schedule as you’re tasked with making a very busy individual’s personal life run as smoothly as possible.

Many PAs can find that they overlook their own wellbeing as they dedicate the very best of themselves to their principal, yet regularly working long days and unsociable hours can begin to take their toll.

It is essential that you take steps to balance your private PA role with your private life so that you maintain your own health and, in turn, dedicate the very best of yourself to your career!

Here are some useful steps you can take:

Learn to say no

Being a personal assistant usually means you have a broad remit and the boundaries of your role are ill-defined, which can occasionally lead to you taking on an unreasonable volume of work.

Try to work with your principal to clearly define your responsibilities so that you are able to say no to tasks that are beyond your remit or are just too much for you to take on alone.

As a compromise, you could discuss whether it is possible to extend a deadline and/or negotiate getting help for a particular project so that you don’t come across as unwilling.

Address the negatives

If there are elements of your day that are particularly stressful, set about addressing them as soon as possible so they don’t taint your perception of your entire job.

See if you can work with your employer to develop new processes that ease the more difficult parts of your job or suggest going on a training course to strengthen your skills in a particular area.

Whatever you do, the sooner you address these points of concern, the quicker you’ll find yourself more confident in your ability to perform your role, which will make you generally happier at work.

Make time for your health

Working a busy schedule and supporting someone else’s lifestyle shouldn’t mean that you forget about your own health.

Maintaining your diet and fitting in regular exercise around your job is essential as it will help you to feel energised, boost your productivity and in the long run make you more resilient.

And remember, rest is essential to get the job done properly, as are regular short breaks during the day.

Don’t forget about your interests

Working in a demanding role can mean that your own interests or hobbies fall to the wayside.

Yet it is very likely that these hobbies have contributed to your character and helped to secure you the role in the first place, because being a private PA is highly dependent upon personality fit.

Failing to indulge in your passions can take a negative toll on your professional motivation and could lead to resentment, so it is essential that you make some time between rest and work to concentrate on the things that matter to you.

Tiger Private is a leading private PA recruitment agency in London. If you’re looking for your next opportunity within a private household or family office, you can register or search for jobs here.

The post Private PAs, here’s how you can maintain your wellbeing at work appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Seasonal employment is a fantastic option for those looking to build a flexible lifestyle, providing a chance to earn extra income and increase your career knowledge without committing to a full-time role. In the private sector, seasonal jobs can range from three months in a ski chalet as a stewardess, to six months working on a yacht or looking after a summer estate as temporary household staff.

These opportunities present plenty of benefits, not least the chance to shake up your routine! In recognition of Tiger Private now recruiting for private temporary and seasonal roles, we’re looking at the reasons you may want to embrace contract jobs or temporary work.

1. Added flexibility

Contract work, such as ski season jobs or yacht jobs, is, by definition, conducted on a short-term basis, meaning you don’t have to commit to ongoing work. As a stewardess, you could work on a yacht sailing the Mediterranean over summer, and then head to the French Alps to work in a ski chalet over the winter, introducing a wide variety of tasks and ensuring that not two days are the same!

2. Potential for international travel

Most seasonal jobs are based overseas, catering for a UNHWI’s holiday estate or secondary residence. As such, seasonal staff often have the chance to be based internationally and on days off, can explore a completely new country! If based on a yacht, this could mean exploring somewhere new every few days as you travel from place to place.

3. Develop your skills

Temp work presents an opportunity to expand your skillset. Working in a different team in a different environment means you can pick up knowledge that you can then use in future roles. What’s more, many of these soft skills are transferable to other industries, including communication, flexibility, remaining calm under pressure and problem solving. In the private industry, working seasonally is always a welcome addition to any CV!

4. Variety

No day is the same with seasonal employment. The sheer variety of tasks means you’ll be doing something completely different every day and will be required to think on your feet, taking a flexible approach to often-urgent situations. In an estate, you may be required to host a three-day event, while as yacht crew, your location can change literally overnight! Whatever the type of work, there’s always a new challenge to overcome.

5. Added income

Most obviously, seasonal jobs allow you to earn some extra income in and amongst other commitments throughout the year. If you’re waiting for a new permanent role to start, or have some time off between working and studying, temping jobs can present a fantastic opportunity to raise some extra revenue, while also picking up some useful experience along the way. Most ski jobs or superyacht jobs, as well as private household roles, are live-in, meaning you won’t have to worry about paying rent. Coupled with the potential for tips, it’s a great way to bolster your bank balance.
–
Tiger Private is a private household recruitment agency that undertakes temporary and seasonal hiring. So, if you’re looking for a seasonal job hiring immediately, or a ski season job, please get in touch!

The post The benefits of private seasonal employment appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

There are strong links between wellbeing and productivity. Being healthier in your body and mind can help you to tackle difficult projects more effectively and focus your mind on any task you might be faced with. Increasingly, as part of their private household staff recruitment, more of our private clients are choosing to hire personal wellbeing specialists – particularly yoga and pilates instructors – as part of their household staff so that they can receive tailored health benefits. These kinds of specialists not only help you to strengthen your body, they can also teach you invaluable techniques to help you tackle stress in all areas of your life.

1. Tailored coaching

Hiring a private wellbeing specialist means that any activity can be tailored to your specific health and fitness level, taking into account any injuries or personal goals you might have. A personal yoga instructor will help you to get a better idea of what your body needs and enable you to benefit from the teacher’s full attention.

2. Seasonal health boosts

There are certain times of the year that your body and mind can require better care. Christmas, for example, is usually a time of eating rich food and winter evenings spent indoors. A wellbeing specialist can be on hand to ensure that your optimum health is maintained throughout the holiday period, allowing you to balance out any indulgences with your regular yoga or pilates practice. This way, you’ll have the best chance of starting the new year as the best version of you.

3. Time saving

Hiring a personal wellbeing specialist means that you can keep on top of your personal health and fitness goals at a time that suits you. Travelling to a yoga studio can be time-consuming and could mean you have to make sacrifices in other areas of your life in order to fit in your workout at a set class time. Having your own coach means that you can undertake regular classes in the comfort of your own home at a time that fits in with your lifestyle. With this flexibility, you might also find you are able to practise several times per day.

4. They can travel with you

Travelling often can mean that your health and wellbeing suffers. Jetlag, a busy schedule and unfamiliar food can leave you feeling tired, sluggish and generally unhealthier than when you are at home – just when you are likely to need to be at your very best. A private wellbeing specialist who knows exactly what you require to stay energised will be able to travel with you and help you maintain your optimum health while you are away from your usual routine. This will give you the best possible opportunity to focus on your business commitments or enjoy leisure pursuits while you are away.

5. Motivation

Hiring an individual specifically tasked with maintaining your wellbeing can help to keep you motivated to achieve your health and fitness goals. It can be easy to let your busy schedule get in the way of regular exercise, but having a personal yoga instructor come to you will ensure you cannot shy away from it.

If you would like to know more about hiring a wellbeing specialist or any other household staff, get in touch with me here. If you’re looking for a private wellbeing job, click through for more information!

The post Five benefits of hiring a private wellbeing specialist appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Earlier this year, Tiger Private – our private household staff recruitment division – hosted William Hanson, one of the leading experts in etiquette, at an intimate event for Tiger’s candidates. During the night, he covered a range of topics, including the difference between manners, etiquette and protocol; the perfect handshake; how to meet and greet, and small talk. He left each attendee with a wealth of actionable knowledge, ready to take into their professional and personal lives.

In the final video of a three-part series, William chats our candidates through the etiquette of networking and small talk.

—

Are you on the hunt for a new role in the private sector, or needing to hire private staff? Tiger Private has the expertise and resources to help. Get in touch today!

The post Networking and small talk with William Hanson appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

We once again find ourselves under mandatory restrictions in England. If you have yet to consider it, it’s possible hiring a private PA may come in handy more than ever before. Below, I’ve outlined how a private PA might just be the perfect solution to assist with your personal or business needs while in lockdown.

Supporting your household in times of need

Private PAs are organised, tenacious, creative and adaptable individuals. Unlike a secretary or EA who is used to working in an office every day and following a fairly set structure, a private PA is accustomed to working in any environment. This often means working remotely, so they’re experts in working on a wide and varied range of requests to support the smooth running of your private life. A private PA can literally work from everywhere – all they need is a phone, laptop and their trusty black book (a prized possession of any private PA)! This is the type of support you need during this period of uncertainty – someone who isn’t fazed by weird and wonderful ways of working!

This is the type of support you need during this period of uncertainty – someone who isn’t fazed by weird and wonderful ways of working!

How can a private PA help during lockdown?

Private PAs can assist with a range of tasks from a remote location, including managing household admin such as sorting out utilities, research and virtual errand running. As so many tasks can be completed without the need to be physically present, they can use technology such as Facetime and Zoom to connect with you if they need to see what tasks are to be completed.

Alternatively, you may find that being at home has highlighted all the extra jobs that need to be completed! Perhaps you’re working with your children at home and need someone to keep them educated and entertained? An extra pair of ‘remote’ hands may be just the thing you need to ensure everything is up and running while the family is at home.

The process of hiring a private PA

We have an amazing array of private PAs who cover a wide range of languages, global locations and skillsets. They really are one of the most adaptable members of staff you can hire. At Tiger Private, we have exceptional candidates available on a permanent or temporary basis, including those wanting to work on a short-term contract.

Once you call in your brief, we will search our database to present you with your bespoke shortlist. We know how important it is to find a private PA with the right personality fit and we take this into account when selecting our top candidates. So, whether you’re looking for someone to help run errands while you’re at home, or need some assistance in reorganising travel plans or meetings, a private PA can help.

Tiger Private is one of the leading private PA recruitment agencies in London. To learn more about how a private PA can help you remotely, please feel free to contact us today.

The post Looking for extra assistance while in lockdown? A private PA can help! appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

The festive season offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy a terrific tipple or devour a delicious treat with loved ones. For private PAs and household staff, luxury Christmas hampers make this experience even easier, with a boutique selection of delicacies carefully chosen, packaged and delivered to your door just in time for the 25th of December. They also double as gifts for a Principal’s family and friends – after all, who wouldn’t delight in a delivery of sumptuous snacks?

We’ve chosen the best options for your household, ensuring the Christmas cheer continues well into the New Year.

GIFTS FOR PROFESSIONALS

The Sovereign Hamper, Fortnum & Mason

Providing the perfect spread for a cosy Winter afternoon inside away from the cold, enjoy everything from savoury treats to biscuits and mince pies and everything in between.

£2,500

The Gourmet Hamper, Selfridges

This Selfridges selection has you covered with everything from teas, hot chocolates, olives, and biscuits, to strawberry & Champagne jam, apple & pear chutney, Marc de Champagne truffles and prosecco galore!

£1,000

The Regent Christmas Hamper, Harrods

The Regent Hamper offers an array of delicacies to enjoy from dawn to dusk, with everything from delicious tea to accompany early-morning present opening to ham and pâté for tucking into come lunchtime, and wine, sweets and cheese for after-dinner treats.

£800

The Joy To The World Hamper, Harvey Nichols

This hamper embodies the charm and culinary delights of the festive season. From Christmas cocktails to mulled wine, panettone and Christmas puddings, this hamper is certain to spread cheer.

£600

Wellness Hamper, The White Company

For someone who savours the gift of sleep, this hamper includes an electronic diffuser and soothing scents fit for a calm holiday season.

£195

The post Luxury Christmas hampers for this festive season appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

From Fran Fine to Maria Von Trapp and Mary Poppins, the nanny has become an iconic figure within popular culture. However, these days, being a nanny to the world’s wealthy is about much more than breaking into song and solving problems through lateral thinking – it’s a lucrative career that requires a comprehensive set of skills and specific experience.

As a leading nanny agency in London, the Tiger Private team knows exactly what to look for when recruiting for private nannies in London, UK and further afield. If you are looking for a career as a live-in nanny, or  short-term placements travelling with a family, having the following skills and attributes — all of which go beyond general childcare — will go a long way.

Longevity

Just like most private household roles, longevity is key to a successful nanny career. Most of our clients are looking for someone long-term who can contribute to the stability and trust in the household. Therefore, we are usually looking for multi-year placements, where you can demonstrate a range of responsibilities, including ongoing childcare, school drop offs, organising and accompanying children to playdates and generally being the point of the contact for children when their parents aren’t available.

If you do have a few shorter stints, it is worth explaining why this is so – whether you’ve undertaken short-term placements as a travelling nanny or there have been unforeseen circumstances, it is better to clarify instead of allowing for assumptions.

References

It is essential that you have excellent references that can be checked before signing a contract. Ideally, you would have 2-3 written references from your most recent employers that can be confirmed by a consultant, as well as a verbal referee – this can be someone who has written you a reference, but is also happy to be contacted by the client directly. It is rare that you will be offered a role without these, so you must ask your former employers for a short note confirming your employment and experiences within their household.

Qualifications

A childcare qualification is a great foundation on which you can build your nannying skills and can often bridge the gap should you not have substantial experience in the industry already. In the UK, the most recognised qualifications include a diploma from the Council for Award in Childcare and Education (CACHE) or the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC).

If you are already working in the childcare industry and wish to complete or build upon your qualifications, a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) is a great option as it is based on practical experience. Possessing a valid first aid qualification and current DBS check are also of huge benefit.

Flexibility

With such busy schedules, nothing is ever set in stone for a UHNW family. Therefore, you need to be prepared to be completely flexible as a nanny, rolling with the punches as required. You may be required to hop on a last-minute flight to Europe, perform duties outside of your remit or simply stay later than your shift, all while ensuring you provide the highest level of care to your charges. As working in a private household is an extremely personal endeavour, you must also be willing to adapt to the changing dynamic of the both the family and wider household.

Teamwork

A nanny to a UHNW family is often part of a larger private support team that can include a private PA, housekeeper, chef, house manager, butler and/or chauffeur. Therefore, experience working in a team environment is vital, as it demonstrates your ability to collaborate, work through conflict and build trust. This does not necessarily need to be in a private household, but showing an understanding of the nuances of this type of working environment is positive.

Professionalism

A private household role requires a delicate balance of friendliness and professionalism and being a nanny is no different. You may form a close relationship with your charges, but it is essential to remain professional at all times – at the crux, you are an employee of the family, not a friend. It is also vital to remain discreet, respecting the privacy of your family by treating all interactions with the utmost confidentiality.

—

Tiger Private can help you find your next nanny or maternity nurses role. Get in touch today!

The post So you want to become a UHNW nanny? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Tiger Private is a housekeeping staffing agency who regularly meets some incredibly talented candidates. Their skills are vast and wide-ranging. We meet Private PAs who can secure 7* private travel deals for free, chauffeurs who can navigate their way around several cities around the world, and Personal Trainers who can trim down clients by several kilos in no time. This week, we asked our star butlers and housekeepers for their inside tips on maintaining a pristine domestic home for their Principals:

1. Experimenting with scents

Many of the commercial brands leave behind harsh chemical smells that are really unpleasant for those living there. Ed, Bristol-based butler, likes to mix essential oils into his products. “Obviously I experiment in my own home before trialling the products in my Principal’s residence”, he laughs, “but I use products like baking soda, Borax or vinegar as a base and then try mixing lavender oil, grapefruit or lemon scented oils in to produce a pleasant aroma. It’s much nicer than leaving a room smelling clean, but like a lavatory!”

2. Grab a toothbrush

Andi, Kent-based housekeeper, says, “I’ve tried lots of high-tech tools and products to get grime out of corners. When I have tough dirt to tackle in a tight corner though, there’s nothing better than a toothbrush. Just must make sure it has tough bristles though! That’s the secret”.

3. Smudge-free windows

Professional window-washers have their own secrets for cleaning windows and making sure they’re smudge-free. May, housekeeper in Cornwall, reveals, “A few years back I asked my go-to window cleaner what his secrets were. He explained that a solution of washing up liquid and warm water was superior to a chemical detergent which can be harmful to use. You should also invest in a good quality squeegee, a plastic t-bar with a washer on the end and some material to wipe down the edge of the window. Once you have all these, it just comes to technique. Use the water / detergent solution to wipe the entire window with the washer. Then wipe the window with your squeegee using an ‘s’ shape, and finally wipe down the edges to prevent water marks that your squeegee might have missed.”

4. Have a system

Don’t just walk into the room and clean at random. Like anything, you’ll achieve the best results by having a process that you stick to. It will mean you’re more efficient and less likely to be distracted by other things that need your attention! Debbie from London explains, “I work wall to wall, and then clean the floor from one corner to the door of the room. It’s also important to clean top-down, so that you catch any falling dust as it falls.”

5. Have the showerhead shining

Showerheads can be some of the first household items to attract grime and residue. The easiest way to treat it is to soak it in vinegar overnight. Rinse the next day and it will be shinier than new!

If you’d like some help recruiting excellent household staff, or if you’re a candidate looking for your next role, get in touch with our Private team today.

The post Five inside secrets from our star housekeeper candidates appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Having a private chef job is a dream role for many – you can create extravagant menus for glamourous parties and cook exciting bespoke meals for the rich and famous. We chatted to one of our fantastic candidates, Jessⁱ, about what it’s like to be a freelance or temporary private chef. From preparing a fish n’ chips lunch for the chopper, to navigating her way around an ancient cooker, she never knows what‘s in store for the day.

8am: I start my day by taking my son to school. Wherever possible, I like us to spend time together in the morning and have a nice breakfast before I go off to work. I’m working for a famous artist today (who is one of my regular clients) and I’m cooking lunch for him and his family. Prep for the day would have started many weeks ago as I need time to write a menu and a shopping list and send that off to the office manager, who will pass it up the chain to the client.

8.30am: I head to the market to pick up the meat, fruit and veg from the local farm shop. It’s really important for me to use local suppliers for these elements of the dish, and I know the housekeeper would have already done the main shop for the meal.

10am: I arrive at the house to find the lovely housekeeper has put out all my ingredients, set up my board and arranged an apron and tea towels. She prepares a coffee for me and we have a good ol’ catch up while I write out a plan of action, so I don’t forget anything through the process.

10.30am: I start prepping and, because I’m catering for multiple dietary requirements with a limited amount of time, I need to take extra care to plan every element of the dishes so nothing will be under or overcooked. Today I’ve planned a pea soup entrée; a pan-fried sea bass and vegan aubergine and chickpea stew main; and brownies with ice cream for dessert.

12pm: I’ve been cooking everything to perfect timing, but disaster strikes – the clients are late. This is a typical problem I face in the kitchen all the time, but it’s a crisis when it happens just as everything is about to be ready. I pause cooking and wait for a call from the client that they’ve left their location.

2pm: I’ve only just gotten the call from the client to tell me that they’re a few minutes away and absolutely starving, so they’ll need the food on the table when they arrive. It’s a little frustrating because after waiting around for a few hours I now have to rush like crazy to get it all hot and ready to go. To work as a private chef, you need to be able to think on your feet, exemplified as my meticulously planned three-course lunch is transformed into one course with pudding to go.

3pm: After the client has eaten, I pack everything down and help clear up. I always help with washing up at this house because the housekeeper always does everything she can to help me with my job. The leftovers are gratefully received by the studio assistants, and we have an unofficial debrief on the day’s events.

4pm: I finish in time to pick up my son from childcare and head home to make our own supper (which is usually quite boring when I’ve cooked a big fancy lunch!).

6pm: I use my downtime to swim or run outside after a busy day. Being out in nature in the fresh air is the perfect antidote to the day’s stresses.

7.30pm: I usually like to treat myself to a long hot bath and head to bed early so I can prep for the next day! The most exciting thing about being freelance is that you never know what you’re going to walk in to – there could be very few utensils, lots of dogs and guests in the kitchen, or double the amount of guests than planned, so it’s best to be prepared!

If you’re looking for a private household job or would like to enquire about employing a private chef, contact Tiger Private at our West End Office.

[ⁱ.] All real names have been withheld

The post A day in the life of a private chef appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

When it comes to hiring domestic staff for a private household, it can be difficult to know what you need to consider – between the legalities of pay, pension and tax and the best practice when it comes to contracts, knowing what’s right and wrong can be harder than first thought.

Head of Tiger Private, Laura Glendenning, sat down with employment lawyer, Sofia Syed, to discuss all things legal and logistical when it comes to hiring.

Should you need assistance with hiring in a private household, please get in touch – Tiger Private can help with a wide range of consultancy and recruitment services.

The post Webinar: Hiring in a Private Household appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Earlier this year, Tiger Private – our private household staff recruitment division – hosted William Hanson, one of the leading experts in etiquette, at an intimate event for Tiger’s candidates. During the night, he covered a range of topics, including the difference between manners, etiquette and protocol; the perfect handshake; how to meet and greet; and small talk. He left each attendee with a wealth of actionable knowledge, ready to take into their professional and personal lives.

In the second of a three-part series, William chats our candidates through the etiquette of meeting and greeting.

The post Meeting and greeting with William Hanson appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

As Head of Tiger Private, an exclusive domestic staffing agency, a huge part of my job is sifting through CVs. In any given week I might open in the region of 500 CVs — and some get my attention for all the wrong reasons! That said, I know it’s not easy to capture your experience and skillset in two pages, especially if you’ve worked in the weird and wonderful world of private households! To help you avoid mistakes in writing your CV, here are seven points to consider.

Don’t use your dating profile photo

It might look amazing on your Tinder profile, but your CV isn’t the right place to showcase your best selfie! If you want to include a photo, use an image taken by someone else where you’re well-presented and professional. Most importantly: choose one situated in the office, not on a night out!

Don’t be scared to sell yourself

Some of our private jobseekers tend to feel a bit embarrassed about writing down all their skills and experience on their CV, especially when listing the details of what they’ve done for a previous employer. Remember, your future boss wants to know what you’re capable of, so list everything you’ve covered in your previous roles. Bullet points are a good way to do this succinctly!

Don’t use the third person

This can be a bit unnerving for those reading your CV! If you’re applying for a role in a private household, like a chauffeur job or a house manager job, use first person instead.

Don’t be indiscreet

The golden rule with a private household CV is to use discretion when referring to your past employers. Remain mindful when sharing information about your past roles and remember any non-disclosure agreements you may have signed in the past.

Don’t write more than two pages

If, like me, you’re of a certain age where you can remember when Take That first formed, you’ve probably accumulated a lot of fabulous work experience! If this is the case, it probably won’t fit on one page. In this situation, two pages is absolutely fine, but any more and it will be too long. Whoever receives your CV may have to sort through hundreds of documents and they’ll be less likely to take the time to read your third or fourth page of experience.

If you’re using a recruitment agency, there are a few other considerations you should keep in mind before sending them your CV!

Don’t send a PDF document

Many of our jobseekers send their CV over in PDF form, making it harder for us to format. For Tiger Private, we take off any contact details and pop on our Tiger Private logo, so your CV is consistent with our guidelines and formatted nicely. It’s so much easier to do this when it’s a Word document, so please do bear this in mind.

Don’t forget to update your CV

If you’re using a recruitment agency, it’s always a good idea to send your consultant an updated version of your CV every six months or so. This way, you’re more likely to come up in our searches, and we know your exact availabilities and recent experience. It also helps your consultant place you in a role which suits you best!

At Tiger, we’re always happy to give CV tips and answer any specific questions you may have about your job search. It’s worth the time to finesse it, as it might just land you your next dream job!

The post Looking for a private household job? Here are seven CV mistakes to avoid appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Just like any business, the private household requires a wide range of support positions to keep operations running smoothly. From a private household PA and butler, to a chauffeur, housekeeper and estate manager, there are many moving parts to ensure a seamless day-to-day experience for a UHNWI and their families.

But do you know the duties and responsibilities of each role? As experts in private household staff recruitment, Tiger Private has a unique understanding of the requirements of each home and how each domestic position fits into its fabric. Should you be looking for a job in a private household, it’s essential to understand what is expected of each role and how it contributes to the smooth running of the home.

Butler

A butler assists with the running of a household, particularly in the areas of entertaining and travel requirements. While the individual responsibilities will vary, a butler job can include silver service; care of silver and fine china; wardrobe management; travel packing; meeting and greeting of residents and guests; training and management of other staff; and in some cases, travelling with the principal and their family. With these in mind, it’s essential that a butler possess a number of qualities, including excellent communication skills and a dedication to high standards of service.

Chauffeur

A chauffeur is responsible for the safe transportation of their principal and family. As such, they need to have exceptional driving skills, as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of the city in which they are based in order to deliver an efficient route. Timeliness is of the essence when it comes to a private chauffeur job, so it’s essential you have exceptional timekeeping skills, can operate intuitively and calmly under pressure, and have a high level of emotional intelligence to deal with issues as and when they arise.

Chef

A private chef looks after all the culinary needs of a household. From day-to-day dining to parties and events, they are responsible for ensuring every member is well-fed! A private chef job includes responsibilities such as designing menus, sourcing ingredients, maintaining the kitchen space, catering to any dietary or lifestyle requirements and, of course, preparing all meals. As such, a great private chef should be able to work under pressure, have a thorough understanding of modern culinary trends and techniques and be able to adapt to requirements accordingly.

Close protection officer

If required, close protection officers oversee all security measures within a private household. Working as part of a team or individually, they are responsible for the safety of all household occupants, both at home and while travelling. A close protection job will see you performing continual risk assessment, developing plans to minimize threats and, should they arise, responding in the necessary manner. Close protection officers can also assist with security measures within the home, including security cameras, custom doors and other technology.

Estate manager

Should a private household sit on a wider estate, an estate manager can oversee the wider estate operations. They will work with the owner of the property to create and execute a management plan of the land, grounds and home, liaising with tenants, farmers, ground staff and contractors. Estate managers are usually the first point of contact for any maintenance issues or emergencies and, as such, will live on site for ease.

House manager

Should it be a larger home, a private household may require the services of a house manager. As a senior member of staff, they will act as the gatekeeper for the home, overseeing operations on a day-to-day basis and reporting straight to the principal. Therefore, a house manager job includes supervising and managing household staff, event planning, managing the household’s schedules and calendars, overseeing financial administration such as bills and budgets, managing household inventory, and running errands.

Housekeeper

A housekeeper is responsible for the overall cleaning of a private household, working to the highest standards. Duties can include vacuuming, polishing and dusting, overseeing the laundry of delicate fabrics and expensive pieces, and travel packing and unpacking. A housekeeper’s job may also expand to include taking messages, meeting and greeting visitors, looking after shopping or cooking everyday meals.

Live-in couple

A live-in couple job is a great opportunity for experienced household staff to take ownership of a property on behalf of their principal, overseeing the running of the home. The exact nature of the role will depend on requirements, but common combinations include housekeeper/chauffeur, housekeeper/butler and estate manager/house manager. Within this role, they may also oversee general management of the home, supervising other staff if required.

Private PA

A private PA (or household PA) can often take on a house manager-like role within a private household, overseeing the general day-to-day operations while also providing support to the principal and their family. They will manage the personal lives of the family, managing diaries, organising travel and overseeing household finances. If you take on a private PA job in London, you may also help with a broader range of duties such as caring for any children, running personal errands and supervising household staff.

–

Are you looking to work in a private household? Tiger Private are specialists in private household recruitment and can assist with a wide range of roles. Get in touch today!

The post A guide to private household jobs appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Coralie Fernando, Head of Marketing and Communication at Tiger, sits down with Tiger Private, to talk through how private household staff recruitment has changed during COVID-19. They discuss the high-quality candidate pool available, the popularity of certain household positions, consolidation of roles and how virtual technologies are speeding up the recruitment process. Listen to the podcast below.

You can find out more about private household recruitment here. If you’re looking for more guidance on private household recruitment, watch our webinar on hiring in a private household.

Podcast Q&A

So, would you mind just giving a bit of an overview on who you are and what Tiger Private does, first of all?

I’m Laura and I head up Tiger Private. We’ve been part of the business for about four years now and our provision is working with clients and candidates in domestic family settings and family offices. So, we recruit a huge range of positions, both in the UK and internationally. That could take in private PAs, chiefs of staff, estate managers, house managers, private chefs, chauffeurs, tutors, housekeepers as well, just a huge plethora of candidates that clients may need for their private homes or for their family offices.

My background is actually private houses. So, prior to coming and setting up Tiger Private, I was working for about 15 years as a private PA and chief of staff. My team are also from private backgrounds. So, we’re quite unusual in the sense that, as recruiters, we have got first hand experience of working with private individuals. We understand the environment very well, which I think lends itself quite nicely to both candidates and clients.

What has Tiger Private’s experience been of the last three to four months since the pandemic began in the UK?

It’s been really interesting. We’ve actually kept very busy, but obviously, we’ve been adapting weekly to what our clients need and also to the candidates. I think one of the first observations would be the candidate pool that is available at the moment is probably richer than it’s ever been. Understandably, there’s been quite a lot of movement in this market — clients have had to make changes, they’ve had to let candidates go. So we are really, really rich in candidates who perhaps have been in previous positions for a good length of time and have got some wonderful longevity on their CVs, who have now found themselves available for the first time in a long time. So, I would say that’s definitely been something I’ve really noticed — just the quality of the candidates we’ve been speaking with, registering and who we’re able to access at the moment.

You mentioned there have been some redundancies. Have you found fewer people are hiring or there are fewer jobs available within family offices and domestic households?

Yeah, I would say the family office space has definitely been quieter. We usually recruit evenly between family offices and private homes. But, certainly, the family office environment does seem to be fairly quiet at the moment. I think that’s due to some very practical reasons. Obviously, it’s an office setting and you know, the government guidance has been for people to be working at home [up until this point]. But due to the confidentiality aspect of working within a family office, sometimes that’s not possible. And also, in terms of recruitment for family offices, the due diligence is key and they very much value a final face to face interview, which hasn’t been hasn’t been able to happen until very recently. So, definitely quieter on that front, although we’ve taken on a couple of chief of staff roles actually in the last few weeks, so that is moving in a positive direction.

Where we’ve been busier is definitely in the domestic provision the whole way through the pandemic, as clients have been needing extra resources. That could be anything from a housekeeper to a nanny or a private chef. Those have been the three positions I would say we’re recruiting for constantly.

Why do you think that is?

I think it’s because people are at home! Everyone’s been stuck at home and it’s a huge amount of extra work for everyone. Clients are consolidating a little bit, so, I think are looking for really good quality candidates to come in and just ease some of the strain. They may have used the time during the pandemic to look at their current staffing and consider if it’s up to scratch. They may have had to have let people go at the beginning of the pandemic, due to safety. Now that the lockdown restrictions are easing, I think they’re now trying to plug the gap that’s been left. I think on the nanny point, that’s been quite prevalent because we’ve all had our children at home. It’s a lot to juggle, so that’s definitely been a requirement. We’ve had quite a few of those positions come through.

You mentioned the word consolidating earlier. Have you seen people consolidating role responsibilities into more hybrid roles?

Consolidation is happening in terms of having staff who are no longer traveling. So, the trend prior to COVID-19 was to have really flexible staff who would travel with the family from property to property, internationally. Because of the travel restrictions and the anticipation that they may be in place for quite some time, clients are now thinking “actually, I need to have a smaller body of staff who are static in each of my homes.” So, we’re definitely finding we’ve had some inquiries and work that we’ve been looking after overseas, where we’ve placed a domestic couple or a private chef and those candidates are replacing previous employees who would have been traveling with the family. I think that’s going to be a new trend, where clients have a lesser body of staff in place in each of their homes, but those staff stay where they are.

Do you foresee that’s going to represent more difficulties in terms of recruitment if you’re recruiting local staff?

Not at all! I think, we’re super lucky that we have an international reach. We [Tiger] have got offices in Dubai and New York and our candidate pool is global. Our reach is vast and for the last four years we’ve been recruiting internationally anyway. So, no, it doesn’t really inhibit what we’re doing at all.

On the travel side, we did a webinar recently with some workplace experts talking about the future of work  and a little bit more about the [affect] the pandemic has [had]. Do you have any thoughts about how [your clients] are going to move forward particularly around traveling for meetings, or any other changes this pandemic has brought about for the longer term?

With our family office clients, initially they were a little bit reluctant to adapt to anything other than face-to-face interviews, which was why we could feel things were a little bit quieter. But, what has happened over time is they have engaged with the technology that’s available, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and the various other things. That’s meant that now they’re feeling comfortable with that, they don’t need to be doing the travel for meetings in particular that they once did.

If your clients aren’t travelling as much and are able and open to doing virtual interviews, then it probably means that they’re able to take advantage of more candidates and are less likely to lose them in a longer process?

Yeah, that’s totally correct. We can expedite things as quickly as possible. We’ve had a couple of roles where, historically, because each stage would have been face to face, which would have been subject to the availability of the people who were recruiting for the role. Now, because we’ve been able to facilitate that via Zoom, they have been able to move through the rounds very, very quickly. It’s definitely meaning that from having a job briefed in, to having it filled, the timeline is definitely quicker.

You mentioned some of the ways private household roles are changing. Are you expecting any changes in the way family offices are structured, or the types of roles they’re recruiting?

I don’t know, in truth. I think the family office space is undoubtedly going to change slightly. I think that’s also coupled with Brexit as well. So, I think that there will be a knock on effect and there will be some family offices that perhaps reduce their numbers or even close down. But likewise, I think there are clients who always will want to have a family office, at least one in Europe and one further afield, usually. I can’t really see that changing. In terms of roles, I think there will be a bit of consolidation. Again, learning that you can use people remotely does mean that your pool of expertise is far greater.

How do you see Tiger Private adapting to the pandemic and hopefully a further loosening of lockdown measures and government guidance for the rest of the year?

We are very lucky that we have really great repeat business and very meaningful relationships with many of our clients who have often come to us for extra advice. So, we were able to help with advice around furlough and employment law advice at the beginning. We’ve been able to help them work out how to interview and how to integrate people safely into their homes. So, we like to be at the end of the phone to offer any advice they may need. It’s really important that we’re available and we get to the crux of exactly what they want.

Have any seen any sort of trends around the split between temporary or seasonal?

The permanent market has been definitely stronger for us. I think the temporary market has definitely taken a little bit of a hit. Purely from a practical perspective, because of the guidelines and not being allowed to have exposure to different people. I do think that will change. I’ve noticed in the last couple of weeks, since the air bridges have been announced and travel is starting to gear up again, we’ve had requests for a contract staff for villas and holiday homes. These staff will go in and be the provision, again, because clients aren’t moving their permanent body of staff around as much as they used to. So, that’s definitely picked up. I think going forwards, it will be interesting to see what happens. It may be that clients feel a bit more comfortable having candidates on contracts they can release. But it may be that they are just looking to consolidate and just have a really special body of permanent staff who that who they can rely on.

Have you seen a demand at all from any clients around temperature testing or testing for COVID? Or, if we get to a point where [testing] does become more finessed, do you foresee that being part of the process, specifically for domestic household staff?

I think definitely. Ironically, I’ve organised an interview this morning, and part of that was that the candidate needed to make sure that they were going to be arriving wearing a face mask and applying hand sanitiser before they entered the building. That’s a new little addition to my interview confirmation that that didn’t exist before COVID. I think the temperature testing, I was speaking to one of my chief of staff candidates who works for a very large household staff team, with 20 plus staff members at any one time in this particular property. We were talking about temperature testing as part of the new normal. Because candidates do work very closely with each other within private houses and it’s very important to keep each other and the family safe. I do think in larger staff homes [temperature testing] may become something that they implement as quite sensible provision.

The post LISTEN: How private household staffing has changed during COVID-19 appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

We often see business PAs wanting to become private PAs – which is great – and we do encourage career moves that will take you in new directions and present new challenges. That said, it’s actually very difficult for us to place a business PA into a private PA role if they have no private experience. If you want to become a private PA, it will be much easier for us to help you if you first become a business PA or EA with private support included as part of the role. It will then be that much smoother a transition to make!

But would you want to become a private PA? We meet a number of candidates who associate being a private PA with a life of private jets, 7* luxury and red-carpet glamour. I have to be clear on this: it’s not!

Get used to long hours

Being a private PA means working hours are not so rigidly set as if you were working in a business. (The concept of 9-5 doesn’t really exist.) More often than not, being a private PA means being on call 24/7, 7 days a week. Private PAs need to be very careful about maintaining the balance between their private PA role and personal life! Work-life balance is incredibly important and while it can be tricky to sustain in a private PA position, you must do this to avoid burnout. It’s important to find the right mix of what’s right for both you and your boss.

You must be a people person (ALL the time)

Being a private PA to a celebrity or UHNWI means you have to work and liaise with A LOT of people. Fans, business associates, estate managers, household staff, spouses, family members, friends, third-party suppliers… the list goes on. As his/her private assistant, you are representative of that person at all times and in all areas of their life. It goes without saying that every move you make and word you utter should be demonstrative of how your boss would like to be represented.

You may be managing an extensive team

Depending on the scope of the role and level of responsibility, you may find yourself recruiting a social media team, international household staff, nannies, PR agencies, family office staff and other third-party suppliers. Being comfortable with the breadth of your responsibility should not be underrated. One minute you could be crisis-managing a PR scandal, the next making decisions with the vet about a family pet, and the next choosing the children’s school.

Discretion is your middle name

It is tough work, but being a private PA can also mean you’re privy to some amazing once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It’s not uncommon for a private assistant to holiday with the boss and their family, attend important family events, and manage all their personal shopping. While you’ll likely meet some incredible people and take magnificent journeys, remember: You’ll be working, not holidaying; and secondly, you won’t be able to talk about it!

To talk about your next Private PA role, get in touch today.

The post So you want to be a Private PA? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Tiger Private, our private recruitment division, recently welcomed Phillippe Brown, founder of luxury travel provider Brown + Hudson, to share his insights into the world of luxury travel. Over champagne and canapes at the Royal Institution, he shared the top eight destinations of 2018 and three top travel trends that could act as inspiration for private PAs planning their next trip. To make sure no-one missed out, we’ve collated our favourite bits, providing the perfect guide for anyone looking to organise a holiday in 2018.

Top Eight Destinations

Phillippe identified the following destinations for their growing popularity, each featuring exceptional accommodation options and potential for one-of-a-kind experiences.

1. Rwanda
2. Sweden
3. Belize
4. Israel
5. Bolivia
6. Cambodia
7. Nicaragua
8. Bhutan

Top Travel Trends

As providers of bespoke travel solutions, Phillippe and his team know a thing or two about what’s to come in the travel industry.

Forget the Destination

Personal fulfilment is now the ultimate luxury when it comes to travel, with experiences chosen for their vocational benefit. Therefore, when booking holidays, forget about the destination and focus more on your principal – what are their motivations for going away? What are they looking to experience? By focusing on the psychology of travelling, your principal will return with both a tan and a memorable experience.

Ask the Right Questions

It’s one thing to ask about dates and flight times, but creating an authentic travel experience goes beyond the logistical. Ask your principal how they want to feel at the end of their trip and work backwards, considering who they are travelling with and their needs. For example, if it’s a family vacation, what will keep the kids entertained? Are they looking to return with a sense of achievement or completely relaxed? The answers to these questions will allow you to create a holiday that’s truly one of a kind.

Be More Demanding

Many travel providers fall into the trap of offering a standard level of service. This may be high anyway, but there’s always room to do better. Challenge the status quo by asking for more – the only thing they can say is no! Whether it’s a personalised menu, meeting with a local specialist or a 10.5 duvet tog rating, there’s always potential to add value to your principal’s holiday by just asking.

Typical families only have 16 long holidays in their lifetime, so you need to respect their time. Consider what stories and legacies your principal wants to create and craft adventures based on their brief.

Watch the highlights video below:

Love organising travel? Read more about the art of travel planning here.

The post Brown + Hudson’s insider travel planning tips for private PAs appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Becoming a private PA can be a fantastic career choice, with plenty of opportunity for professional development and one-of-a-kind experiences! However, do you know what this type of PA job actually involves? We spoke to one of our fantastic candidates, Sylvie¹ to find out what a typical day looks like supporting a busy chairman.

7.30am: I’m up and dressed, and have started to go through Henry’s¹ calendar for the day. I text him the most pressing things he needs to be aware of. Today, this includes his flight to Israel which has been pushed back. I also remind him that it’s his mother’s birthday so I arrange a present (a blue cashmere jumper and a bunch of red tulips) to be sent from him.

8.30am: I drive over to Henry’s family home and pick up his mail. I also give the housekeeping staff instructions for the week. It’s autumn, and I notice that the leaves have started to fall on the driveway, so I remind the house manager that these need to be swept up twice a day. The housekeeper has packed Henry’s bags for his trip. I double check everything he needs for his trip is packed and take them with me.

11am: I meet Henry at the car and we have our catch-up on the way to the airport. I give him his schedule for the trip and we talk through the details. I realise that the housekeeper forgot to pack his pillow but I keep spares in the trunk so it’s not a problem.

12.30: Henry’s safely on his flight so in the car into town, I call his wife. They are hosting a summer party in a few months so we go through the details and a high-level plan. We’re able to confirm the entertainment but she has some changes to the proposed floor plan. I take notes and let her know I’ll call her after I’ve finished the tasting with the caterers.

1pm: I spend an hour with the caterers going through their proposed menu for the party. All looks in order but they’ve forgotten to include some of the vegan options. I call Henry’s wife and let her know that we’re almost able to tick it off the list.

2.30pm: I’m back in the family office and on the phone to the housekeeper in Israel to let her know that Henry’s running late. He told me that he won’t need dinner so I suggest that she puts out nibbles instead, with a turn-down service. He also decided to invite some friends to the house for the weekend so I let her know that she can prepare the bedrooms.

3pm: The traffic report is awful this afternoon so I call the family chauffeur and instruct him to leave half an hour early to pick up the kids from school.

4pm: Henry’s diary is set for tomorrow so I take the time to do some admin. The family has racked up several parking tickets over the past week. I look at the account and check the utility bills are all in order but notice that an unusually high amount has been debited from the account. It looks like Henry’s wife has bought another horse. He’s definitely not aware of it but I decide to let them work it out between themselves.

5pm: I leave the office to head to my fine art course. Henry has organised this ahead of me project-managing their property fit-out in Tuscany next year.

9pm: My own children are fed and watered so I do one last check of my emails before bed. Henry is happily settled in with his friends in Israel but has told me he would like the hallway paint colour changed to blue. I’ll action it in the morning. We have established a system where, outside the hours of 9pm to 5pm Monday to Friday, texts are for urgent actions and emails are for non-urgent tasks. It works well for us and means we’re able to reach a better balance!

If you’re looking for a new role in private support, or need more information on how a private PA can help to alleviate the stresses of your busy lifestyle, contact Tiger Private at our West End office. 

[1.] All real names have been withheld

The post A day in the life of a private PA appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Updated 14th December 2020

With the computer encroaching on everyday tasks bit by bit, the handwritten note is becoming a rare art. However, in private households, being able to compose a beautifully written thank you note, name settings, card or invitation is of great value to a potential employer. In fact, one of the UK’s leading etiquette experts, William Hanson, notes: “Handwriting is just one of the many ways in which we humans – especially the Brits – judge other people.  The effort and awe of an elegantly set table can be undone and tarnished by a badly scribbled placard, which is why household staff need a heightened level of good penmanship.” So if you don’t think your handwriting is up to scratch, why not enrol in a calligraphy course? It’s a skill that you may need if you’re a private household PA! Here are five of London’s best:

1. Quill London
With a whole range of different calligraphy classes, Quill London is currently hosting their workshops entirely online. Opt for the beginners’ workshop to learn how to write using ink and nib, starting out with shapes and strokes before moving onto letter forms. By the end, you’ll be creating whole sentences in your unique style and take home an essential kit of calligraphy materials so you can practice at home. If you know the basics but want to refine your skills, the improvers’ workshop is for you. You’ll be able to improve your overall technique, develop your style and take home a set of professional-grade materials.

Find out more on quilllondon.com/

2. City Lit
If it’s a full-day course you’re after, City Lit’s Modern Calligraphy is the one for you. Based in Covent Garden, the seven-hour workshop will take you through the process step by step and letter by letter, with demonstrations and an analysis of historical models along the way. You’ll learn to use pointed pen and ink, how to format letters and spacing correctly, the importance of pen pressure and how to do flourishes. At the end, you’ll be able to use a range of tools for your calligraphy practice and produce work in the modern version of Copperplate.

Find out more on https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/try-it-out-calligraphy-modern-copperplate

3. Babooche Calligraphy
Learn the fundamentals of modern calligraphy at Babooche, a calligraphy studio located in EC1. Start off by learning and practicing basic strokes before moving onto the lower-case alphabet and capital. With a limited class size of four participants due to pandemic restrictions, you’ll receive plenty of one-to-one help, with an experienced teacher who can help you develop your own style. Each workshop includes light refreshments and a take-home calligraphy starter kit.

Find out more on baboochecalligraphy.com

4. Alice Gabb
Stationery designer and modern calligrapher, Alice Gibb, spreads her love of distinctive lettering through a number of workshops throughout London. Join her in Shoreditch for a beginner’s’ workshop, where you’ll start with tea, cake and a chat before diving into the art of modern calligraphy. You’ll be introduced to good technique and what equipment to use, before being guided through practice exercises. From there, it’s straight to letterforms, which is important if you’re a private household PA and want to learn fast! By the end, expect to be able to write your favourite quote in modern calligraphy, with Alice always on hand for assistance.

If you’ve done the basics but want to practice with some expert help, Alice also hosts a Practice Makes Perfect Calligraphy Club, where you can work through guide sheets, have a chat about your equipment and pick up some tips. Supplies are provided, but you can also bring your own.

Find out more on alicegabb.com/workshops

5. Oh Wonder Calligraphy
As the lady behind Oh Wonder, Lauren Cooper, a graphic designer and self-taught calligrapher, hosts a range of workshops for beginners and enthusiasts in Bromley. If it’s the beginner option you’re going for, expect an introduction to the fundamentals of calligraphy, starting with what to use and strokes, before moving onto the alphabet. After two hours, you’ll have a new appreciation for handwriting, a workbook of exercises and tips and everything you need to keep practicing. Once you’ve mastered the basics, opt for an enthusiasts’ class, which aims to top up your skillset and help you develop your own style, as well as writing with different inks and on alternative surfaces.

Find out more on ohwondercalligraphy.com/workshops
–
Looking for a private household PA role? Tiger Private can help – get in touch today.

The post Five calligraphy courses to try in London appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

The private recruitment market has witnessed significant shifts throughout 2024. Lydia Charlesworth, Manager of Tiger Private, provides expert insights on the key hiring trends observed in Q3 and expectations looking ahead to Q4.

Recovering Market

The beginning of the year saw slower movement, with fewer roles available to jobseekers than usual. However, in recent months, there has been a noticeable shift, with an influx in job opportunities across all sectors that indicates a recovering market.

One significant trend is the rise in demand for round-the-clock private support due to employers’ international travel commitments. Although these demands pose challenges for staff, some households and family offices have adopted rotational schedules (e.g. two weeks on followed by two weeks off) to avoid staff burnout.

Political Changes

The run-up to the UK general election caused some uncertainty, making some jobseekers cautious to change roles and many families tentative to recruit. Yet, with the results now in and the prospect of a period of political stability on the horizon, we have seen a positive increase in confidence from those who have recommenced hiring. We are also seeing more top-level senior staff seeking career advancement, including chiefs of staff, executive assistants and private PAs.

UK Staffing Requests

Over the summer holiday season, we saw plenty of international movement and temporary hires as families staffed secondary residences abroad. However, as we transition into the autumn and families return from their holidays, we are noticing a promising rise in staffing requests for UK-based roles.

Expert Hiring Guidance

Employers can greatly benefit from seeking expert guidance when restructuring staff or relocating family offices. Ensuring proper staff structure and coverage without causing burnout is crucial. We provide a consultative service to improve your household or family office’s structure to optimise time and money, ensuring the seamless functioning of your private staff.

Tiger Private also provides an enhanced payroll service to relieve you of administrative onboarding processes. Depending on the extent of your needs, this can encompass reference checks, background checks, drafting employment contracts, setting up payroll and more. Contact us to find out more about our enhanced payroll offer, available in both the UK and across Europe.

The post Private Market Trends for Q4 2024 appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

A CV is the most important document you can produce in the hunt for a job, especially in the private support sector. It is a principal’s first impression of you and your experience, so has to be the very best representation of your skillset. However, with limited time to impress – research shows that a hirer will spend just 30 seconds reading your CV – there are plenty of things you can do to ensure it stays top of the pile.

As a private recruitment agency specialising in domestic household recruitment, we believe that there are some general rules that all CVs should follow.

• A CV should be two pages, three if you have decades of experience
• It should be written in size 12 and have a clear and consistent font throughout
• The design should be clear, easy to follow and with no photo
• Use bullet points to describe your employment history as it is easier to scan through
• The format should be consistent, with the same design, font and layout throughout
• A CV should be modified to the role you’re applying for – for example, if you are applying for a housekeeper/cook role, emphasise your experience in these areas
• It should always be sent as a Microsoft Word document

It’s also worth remembering that in the family office and private household recruitment process, you may undergo an entire interview process with a PA or chief of staff before the principal gets involved. This makes your CV twice as important, as it can make or break your chances – after the interview process!

In order to help with your job hunt, we’ve mocked up a sample to show how a great private CV looks.

—

Looking for a role in a private household? Tiger Private can help. Get in touch today. 

The post How to write a private CV appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

We interview many candidates who want to be a private PA. Our answer is always the same – it is not that simple!

Myths and Rumours

There is this idea that private PAs lead a glamorous lifestyle; jetting off to the south of France in the summer, staying in a stunning hotel or on board your Boss’s yacht. Yes, occasionally these roles do come in, but the norm is very different. You’ll find many private PAs who will tell you their position is lonely, isolated and very admin heavy.

What is the secret?

The easiest way to land a private PA job is if you already have one. If you haven’t had any experience in that field, then the next best thing is to build up Private PA experience. If you are currently not in a role where there is this scope, then you need to move to a “halfway house position” where at least 20% of your PA role revolves around the private side.

Typically, you’ll find that most hybrid PA roles (i.e. those incorporating a split between business and personal) are 1:1 positions providing support at board level. Understandably it is those that have “made it” that tend to have the lifestyle that warrants private PA support.

It is very difficult to find a Private PA role without previous experience, so the above is the recommended course of action.

Are there any other courses of action I can take?

Yes, but before I go into further detail, it is important to differentiate between the different people who require a private PA. Below are the most common categories:

• Successful Businessman

• VIP

• Celebrity

• HNWI

• UHNWI

There is clearly some crossover between these categories. However, the point is that not all clients will be looking for previous private PA experience from a corporate business environment. A celebrity might prefer someone with a TV background, who is used to travelling, dealing with important people in the creative industry and logistically strong within their sector. Such an individual may not require private experience. Equally, a fashion mogul may require someone with strong credentials from the fashion industry – someone able to organise shows and events might be perceived as far more relevant than someone from a non-fashion background.

By the same token, an UHNWI may be happy to look at someone who had worked on yachts or managed a chalet because that type of private experience is more relevant to them.

There are plenty of ways to reach the same end point, so it’s worth working out what type of individual you want to support and then tailor your experience accordingly. Even better, let the experience you already have dictate the type of individual you support and the further experience you need to build up to land the job.

What impact will becoming a private PA have on your career?

As long as you have made a conscious decision that the private PA route is the one you want to follow long-term, then this is going to be a good move for you. That said, if you one day wish to return to the business PA world, then this move could have implications, particularly if you work in the private PA world for a considerable amount of time.

Simply, the longer you are a private PA, the harder you will find it to return to a purely business PA role because employers will be concerned about how committed you are to change tack and how you’ll react to the change in pace from private to business.

What salary should I expect to be paid?

This varies enormously and whilst most private PA roles tend to be targeted towards those candidates with a good length of experience, we have seen employers look for suitable candidates with 1-3 years previous experience. These positions tend to come in at the £28-35k range. The senior private PA roles pay anywhere from £40-100k in today’s market. This depends on who the role is working for, where it is based and how many hours in the week you are working. For instance, some employers expect their PA support to work 24:7. Understandably, there needs to be some level of compensation for this.

Equally, some bosses can be extremely demanding, whether this is through workload or the way they interact with their PA. This again can lead to higher salaries.

To conclude, the private PA role can be a fantastic career choice, but it is not for everyone. Really think carefully about whether this is the right career choice for you and the implications for moving into the industry. If you decide to follow this route, then don’t expect to suddenly land your perfect job – use the tips above to help you structure your CV and experience to make your CV as appealing as possible to prospective employers.
—
Looking for a private PA role? Tiger Private might be able to help. Get in touch with the team today.

The post How do I become a Private PA? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

The chauffeur role is a lot more complex than just driving a car. From knowing the local area like the back of their hand to assisting clients with any last-minute tasks, drivers are an integral part of private households. But just what makes a great chauffeur? The following infographic explains the four principles on which all candidates should base their professional development.

Looking for a chauffeur role or wanting to hire a personal driver? Get in touch today.

The post The four ‘P’s of chauffeuring appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Are you considering a career as a private nanny?

There are fewer more rewarding jobs than caring for children. Working alongside parents, nannies have a direct hand in raising their charges from infancy through to early school days, seeing the fruits of their hard work as the children mature.

But make no mistake – it is hard work, and it takes a certain personality to be a great private nanny. We spoke to one of our most experienced private nannies about the lessons she learnt in her time caring for many children of different ages.

Read on for her invaluable insights into this challenging, but hugely fulfilling role.

Work with an agency

As a new nanny, signing up with a recruitment agency is a must. A nanny recruitment agency is a trusted source of job opportunities, and can protect you from unscrupulous employers.

Our expert observed, “I always tell them to go to an agency first” as it “allows you to feel safe” having a third party involved. An agency can be especially useful if you’re working abroad, as “you have a touch point back at home if something goes wrong”.

Keep a professional distance

It’s only natural to feel emotionally involved with the families you’re working for, especially if it’s a long-term arrangement. But, as our expert found out for herself, it’s important not to become so attached that the personal and professional boundaries blur. Her advice is to strive to be “a much valued, financially appreciated member of staff”.

Set boundaries and look after your health

Caring for children as a career can be a very intense experience and, as our expert notes, “even a low-key nanny job is still a 12-hour day”. Employers with busy lives will also often require last-minute cover or additional hours; she relates there have been many times when she has “had to tell a friend ‘I’m so sorry, I’m stuck at work’”.

To avoid this disruption to your personal life, be sure to talk with your employers before you start a new job. Set clear boundaries about the hours you work, and the overtime you’re willing to do.

Have an endless supply of activities

A lot of your time as a nanny will be spent keeping the children entertained. So, it’s important to always have something fun up your sleeve, no matter the situation: “typically what I do is an AM activity and PM, especially when children are still napping”.

It’s good to include both indoor and outdoor activities to best engage the children throughout the day: “The inward bound could be messy play or craft, outward bound would be National Trust property, things like that.”

Be nurturing

Being in close contact with children at such a formative time in their lives means you can have a huge and positive impact on their development. The activities you do and attitudes you instil in them can help create healthy, happy and curious children.

Our experienced nanny is a “big believer in time outdoors, time in nature” and reading: “children should read independently and also be read to”.

Talk with your family to determine what values they wish their children to take on as they grow, and always keep these in mind when planning how the children will spend their time with you.

If you’re a nanny and are ready to work with a new family, head to our jobs page to begin applying.

The post Tips for new nannies (from an expert nanny) appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

When it comes to hiring for a private household, a private chef can be an invaluable addition. However,  hiring a private chef in London or internationally can be a complex process with a number of elements to consider. From figuring out the correct salary and hours, to catering to your family’s dietary requirements, finding the right fit is essential.

Tiger Private works with a wide range of private chefs who are available for one-off events, weekends, seasons or in a permanent, full-time capacity. With varying responsibilities and experience, it’s vital to understand what you’re looking for, what you expect of your chef and the level of culinary prowess your family expects on a day-to-day basis.

What is a Personal Chef?

A personal chef is, in short, a qualified chef that you can hire on a temporary or permanent basis to cook bespoke meals for you and your family, or for an event, holiday or other special occasion. The main benefits of hiring a private chef are:

1. You remove the need to cook, saving valuable time that can be allocated
2. A personal chef uses their expertise to source, prepare and serve restaurant-quality meals in the comfort of your own home or chosen location
3. Personal chefs can come up with balanced, nutritional meal plans in accordance with your preferences or dietary requirements, ensuring that you’re looking after your health, and eating tasty meals

Private Domestic Chef

Private domestic chefs work for one client or several, on a part-time or full-time basis. If they’re working for one client full-time, they will often also live on the Principal’s estate. Hiring a private domestic chef allows for a truly customised meal plan, and completely removes the stress and time taken from preparing multiple meals a day.

Restaurant Chef

A restaurant chef works in a professional kitchen and is trained to prepare meals to a high standard. Private chefs usually have several years of experience working in demanding restaurant environments, often in fine dining. This means that private chefs are extremely capable of working to tight deadlines and above-and-beyond requests.

Why hire a private chef?

A private chef is becoming an increasingly popular option for busy UHNW individuals and families. Hiring a private chef for the night for a dinner party can take the stress out of catering, while hiring a private chef for a weekend – perhaps during shooting season – means your family can focus on more important activities!

A private chef can also assist when catering to complex dietary requirements or eating behaviours. If your Principal or a family member has allergies, eats a restricted diet or simply prefers one cuisine over another, having a private chef can make a huge difference – they can design menus, source ingredients and prepare meals with your Principal’s needs in mind.

How to Hire a Personal Chef for a Week?

Hiring a personal chef for a week can be the perfect way to elevate a busy or special time for you and your family. Simply call or email our team on +44 207 917 1803 to brief us on your requirements. The longer the lead time the better, as it will mean we can perfectly cater to your needs, however it’s not uncommon for us to be able to source someone at a moment’s notice! Regardless of whether you need someone in London, rural UK or internationally, we can help.

Once a professional has been selected, we will handle all the paperwork on both sides. The candidate will submit a timesheet at the end of the week which is sent to your email for approval. Once approved, we will pay the candidate directly and send you an invoice.

Tiger Private’s chefs are highly experienced, capable and are available to be hired on a temporary basis. To turn a holiday or special occasion into an unforgettable experience, consider hiring a personal chef for a week as a top professional handles the kitchen and cooks delicious meals.

Read more about temporary private hiring

Hire a Personal Chef for a Week

Whether you’re pressed for time, have a taste for exquisite food, or just want to kick back and relax whilst an experienced professional cooks a meal for you and your family, either in the comfort of your own home, on holiday, or for a special event – there are many good reasons to hire a personal chef for a week.

For more information about chef recruitment, get in touch with Tiger Private. We have a wide range of chefs available immediately for temporary placements and permanent positions and can provide advice on how to hire a private chef.

 Email Tiger Private

The post Hiring a private chef: what you need to know appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Summer is fast approaching and, for family offices, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable sunny season requires strategic planning, especially when hiring staff. Here are five ways private employers can optimise their hiring strategy for 2024.

Offer in-demand benefits

Family office professionals are increasingly looking for employers who provide additional benefits, such as private healthcare. In the current climate, offering stand-out benefits and a robust pension scheme will ensure that your vacancy stands out to top-tier talent. If you’re unsure what the current sought after benefits are, you can pre-order our Private Salary and Benefits Review 2024.

Utilise AI

The impact of AI has evolved significantly in 2023 and is already being used in a number of ways by businesses. It shows no signs of slowing down. From assisting operations staff with administrative tasks to streamlining the hiring process for HR teams, the benefits are numerous. Learn more about leveraging the power of AI in our recent roundtable report: The Future of Artificial Intelligence in AI.

Appeal to Gen Z

Recognising the workplace preferences of Gen Z is imperative for family offices seeking to attract and retain talent. Gen Z employees value philanthropy and aligning with organisational values. To attract the talent of the future, family offices should ensure their workplaces are inclusive and that they have an ESG strategy in place, which will go a long way in appealing to the Gen Z mindset.

Exploit favourable hiring conditions

At the start of 2023, jobseekers were requesting inflated salaries however, over the course of the year these stabilised. This, despite ongoing geopolitical conditions, have given the market a sense of stability. The KPMG 2023 Global Family Office Compensation Benchmark Report highlights, that despite family offices often having long-tenured staff, a third of family office professionals are considering new roles over the next year. Family offices would do well to focus on hiring over the next few months, whilst the market is balanced and talented senior staff are increasingly open to new opportunities.

Retain work-from-home privileges

According to KPMG’s report, three-quarters (74%) of family offices now facilitate remote work. This shift isn’t just a response to changing times, it gives you a strategic edge in talent acquisition. Offering a hybrid working model will give you the advantage of attracting top professionals, showcasing your family office as adaptable and progressive. As we approach 2024, retaining or expanding work-from-home privileges will be essential for attracting and retaining outstanding family office professionals

Tiger Private remains committed to staying abreast of the latest trends in private household and family office hiring in London, regionally and internationally. We offer a dedicated and discreet approach to matching exceptional candidates with our clients’ needs. Get in touch with us today and experience our bespoke approach.

The post Five family office hiring trends in 2024 appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Art experts offer bespoke, one-to-one experiences and specialised knowledge in niche fields. Due to the nature of their work, they often have extensive experience working alongside high/ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) globally.

Art experts have a deep understanding of art history, market dynamics and aesthetic trends, acting as trusted advisors of art enthusiasts through the intricate world of art acquisition.

If you’re thinking about enlisting the help of an art consultant, read on to find out the various ways an art expert can enhance your collection.

Taking your interests into account

An art consultant must take the time to find out the different artists, periods and subject matter that you’re interested in. An art expert regularly accompanies their clients to art fairs, exhibitions and auctions, and exposes them to books and catalogues to understand their interests. Where one client may be interested in Old Master paintings, another might prefer a piece of contemporary sculpture, so this first stage is imperative to ensure your art consultant can fine-tune their search.

Helping you make an informed decision

If you’re looking to build your collection from the ground up, an art consultant can help you make an informed decision with your best interests at heart. Buying a piece of art isn’t just about handing the money over – the process should involve thorough research (including where the piece has been written about and exhibited, as well as working out the previous owners). An art expert with keen attention to detail will make sure everything is in order, and build a thoroughly-documented history of the piece. Consultants like Anna will also make sure the practicalities of insurance are taken care of so that your investment, once acquired, is correctly recorded in an inventory and protected.

Managing the logistics

Once a piece has been purchased, a great art management expert can assist you with the appropriate way to display it, from lighting to installation and right down to choosing the correct glass for the frame. They would also oversee any restoration work necessary for the preservation of the piece. If storage is required, an art management advisor will go to the trouble of ensuring the right conditions are organised (including humidity and lighting levels, among other details). They will also organise safe transport, whether it be across the city or across the globe, to ensure that the piece will arrive safely at its new destination.

Sarah Capes, of Talbot Capes, offers expert knowledge on the management of everything from Old Master paintings to modern art. Talbot Capes’ service takes on the laborious work of conserving, transporting, storing, and cataloguing the works of a collector.

Selling a piece

If you’re looking to sell a piece, an art consultant can act as your representative to research the correct market for it to be sold in and assist in the decision as to whether it is better to sell at auction or through private treaty sale. An expert will do their research and suggest exactly when, where and how much the piece should be sold for, with full transparency about anything that may affect the sale.

Detective work

Where you have inherited a piece and don’t know what it is, an expert will research to work out its attribution, and therefore its true value. They will draw on art history expertise, market insights, and attention to detail to research and produce a solid analysis with documents and data to support this. The advisor should manage expectations by acting with integrity and clarity through every step of this process, to ensure their client has a realistic idea of what to expect.

If you are looking to recruit an art expert, reach out to us today!

The post Five reason’s why you should consider hiring an art expert appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

April 21st is National Administrative Professionals Day, an international celebration of the work  personal assistants, executive assistants, team and admin assistants, receptionists, secretaries and many more do on a daily basis. As a recruitment consultancy dedicated to matching outstanding business support professionals with employers of choice across London, the UK and globally, we know how important these roles are for businesses and private individuals.

We surveyed 400 of our candidates, in order to shine a light on the pivotal role they play. One of the questions we asked was ‘What was is the most unusual task you’ve ever completed for an employer?’ The results are in…and they’re sure to either make you nod your head sympathetically or shake your head in disbelief.

Looking for a new job? Perhaps you need someone to complete these types of tasks! Either way, Tiger can help. Get in touch today!

The post 10 of the most unusual PA tasks appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Earlier this year, Tiger Private hosted William Hanson, one of the leading experts in etiquette, at an intimate event for Tiger’s candidates. During the night, he covered a range of topics, including the difference between manners, etiquette and protocol; the perfect handshake; how to meet and greet, and small talk. He left each attendee with a wealth of actionable knowledge, ready to take into their professional and personal lives.

In the first of a three-part series, William chats our candidates through the art of the handshake.

Keep an eye out for parts two and three of William’s talk: Meeting and Greeting, and Networking and Small Talk.

—
Are you looking for a new role in the private sector, or looking to hire private staff? Tiger Private can help! Get in touch today.

The post The art of the handshake with William Hanson appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

In this video, our Tiger Private team introduces our household consultancy service. Find out the common issues we witness in HNW households, alongside the benefits you will see from engaging our team to optimise the staff structure of your properties.

The post How to structure your household staff appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

In private households, formal processes such as staff appraisals can often be neglected. In my time as a private PA and as Head of a domestic recruitment agency, however, I’ve seen the private staffing industry become increasingly structured. With extensive experience and training required of your domestic household staff, initiatives such as performance reviews should be considered by chiefs of staff and house managers.

For senior private PAs, house managers or chiefs of staff, it’s not just a case of arranging an appointment with each team member and discussing their role. With a little forward planning and discussions with the relevant parties, a performance review can form an integral part of a wider professional development policy.

Timing

Just like any corporate workplace, a staff appraisal should be conducted at least annually, at the same time each year. For ease, consider scheduling appointments at the end of the year in December, or at the beginning of the year in January, linking in with any bonus schemes your household may operate.

Preparation

Before scheduling any appointments, take the time to prepare some questions for both your principals and staff members to answer before the official chat. This will allow both parties to think about their positive feedback as well as possible criticism/areas of improvement, giving everyone time to consider their response.

For the principal, questions should include:
• How are you finding the staff?
• Is there anything you would like to implement over the next year?
• What are you most appreciative about for each staff member?
• Do you have any suggestions for each staff member?
• What positive feedback do you have for each staff member?

It is worth asking for specific and practical examples for each of these answers so that you can communicate them to your staff.

For the staff member, questions should include:
• How are you finding your role? Is it meeting your expectations?
• What part of your role do you enjoy the most? Where do you think you’ve delivered fantastic work?
• What areas do you find tricky or challenging?
• Are there any elements of the job you aren’t enjoying and why?
• Do you have any concerns?
• Was there any training you’d like to implement over the next year?

Once again, specific and practical examples will be needed from each staff member in order to communicate their achievements or concerns back to your principal.

Moving forward, in your second and third years of appraisals, it would be worth referring to the previous years’ notes to ensure that any developments or improvements discussed previously had been implemented.

Training

When asking these questions, it should be understood that any requested or discussed training initiatives (within reason) will be funded and implemented. For example, if a principal mentions that they thought that a butler could improve their service at the dinner table, a silver service course could be arranged. Alternatively, if they mention a housekeeper packed their travel bag really well, that housekeeper could share their knowledge with other members of the team.

The meeting and follow up

Once you have collated all the information, it’s time for the actual meeting. As the chief of staff or house manager, arrange an informal one-to-one chat with each staff member, where you can go through all notes together. It’s worth considering ending on a positive note, in order to leave the staff member feeling supported and encouraged.

After the meeting, email both the staff member and principal with shared feedback and suggestions for training, help and improvement. Both parties should sign a printed copy of the email to confirm they agree with everything discussed.

For a personal touch, consider having your principal write a short card after the performance review in order to thank their staff member for all their hard work. This can correlate with any bonuses handed out.

At the end of the day, a private household should be run as a professional entity, respecting the effort and experience that staff members hold. By making them feel valued with positive and practical objectives to work towards, you will be able to foster an environment of growth and development.
—
Looking for new staff members in your private household? Tiger Private can help!

The post How to conduct staff appraisals in private households appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

If you’re thinking of hiring domestic staff to take on some of the burden of running a household, we can help.

In this blog we’ll take you through each step of the hiring process, from identifying your household support needs, to creating a job description, interviewing, and finally recruiting experienced staff.

1. Assess Business Needs

Everyone’s household needs are different, and to ensure you’re spending money in the right place when hiring domestic staff, you should do a full assessment of your personal needs before approaching a domestic recruitment agency.

2. Identifying the specific roles and responsibilities you require

The needs of your household will inform the type of staff you hire. Your requirements may be any combination of the following:

• Chauffeuring
• Childcare
• Cleaning
• Close protection
• Cooking
• Estate management
• Gardening
• Groundskeeping
• House management
• Laundry

You will need to learn which roles can cover these tasks. Read our blog on how many household staff to hire to find out more.

3. Creating Job Descriptions

An accurate and detailed job description is one of the most effective tools when hiring domestic staff. Recruitment consultants will help you finesse the document to target the most relevant, experienced candidates. You may even wish to use one of our job description templates to speed the process along.

4. Advertise Job

With your job description ready you can now work with your recruitment agency to craft an appealing job advert. This will include the description, as well as details of salary, benefits, and a small amount about the household they would be working within. Job adverts will typically be posted on your recruiter’s own jobs board and, with your permission, partner job boards they work with.

5. Screen CVs

As applications for your domestic role begin to come in, your recruitment consultant will build a shortlist of the best candidates, cutting out any that lack the relevant experience. To decide which of these shortlisted candidates to interview, you will need to screen their CVs carefully, something your consultant will be able to assist with. Check for relevant experience, skills, values, and previous employers who could be contacted for referrals. You should also run a DBS check on all applicants before progressing to the interview stage.

6. Interviews

By this point you should have a strong understanding of a candidate’s employment history and skillset. The interview is a chance to get a better idea of their values, and to test some of those skills. As domestic staff will have close contact with your personal life, it is best practice to conduct face-to-face, or at least video call interviews, to find out whether you feel comfortable with them.

7. Recruiting Candidates

When you have made your choice on a new employee for your household you will need a formal contract to finalise the recruitment process. If this is your first time employing someone, we can help with writing your contract. Remember, you should still consult a lawyer to be sure the contract is legally binding.

Tiger also offers a payroll and contract service, which can take on much of this work and give you some distance from employees, if you prefer more privacy.

8. Onboarding Candidates

The final step in hiring domestic staff is the onboarding process. With household support, this will involve basics such as orienting them around the property, drawing up their schedule, and laying down any ground rules to follow while they are on-site. If you hire a butler or hire a house manager, much of the training and onboarding process for other household staff will then be handled by them.

Managing Your Domestic Staff

Household employees require ongoing management, and this aspect of hiring domestic staff should be planned for well in advance. If the daily admin becomes too much work as the domestic team grows, it’s advisable to hire a house manager or butler.

Looking To Recruit Domestic Staff

Whether you’re looking for housekeepers, butlers, or gardeners, temporary or permanent, we can provide you with exceptional staff. Our expert team will advise on hiring for any role and any property type, so please get in touch with your requirements and we will be happy to set up a consultation.

The post Hiring household staff appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Private service can often be considered a quite traditional industry, evoking images of gloved butlers in Downton Abbey-esque homes and headset-toting private PAs carrying clipboards. However, the 21st century has seen the diversification of the personal assistant position, with roles specialising to cater for changing lifestyles. Just one of these is the lifestyle manager – a unique role that covers the leisure requirements of either a business or high-net-worth individual and their family.

What is a lifestyle manager?

A lifestyle manager does exactly as the title suggests – manages lifestyles! They can be employed by businesses to support guests or clients, managing requests and booking travel, transportation, restaurants, venues and suppliers. Alternatively, they may work for a private individual or family, arranging experiences, restaurants, social activities and travel as needed.

What attributes or skills does a great lifestyle manager have?

A fantastic lifestyle manager dedicates their professional life to enhancing their principal’s leisure and lifestyle experiences. They should be able to anticipate a client’s needs ahead of time, using their extensive knowledge and contact book to generate inspiring and innovative ideas for experiences and gifts.

As the position requires exceptional diary and travel management, someone in this position should be exceptionally organised and proactive, take an enthusiastic and confident approach and be able to multi-task under pressure. Strong communication skills, flexibility and an ability to work both independently and as a team are also essential.

If in a corporate role, a lifestyle manager should also be able to identify and maintain strong supplier relationships, building brand partnerships and delivering outstanding customer service.

Why become a lifestyle manager?

Successful lifestyle managers are rewarded with an extremely diverse role. From organising luxurious holidays to sourcing last-minute babysitters, the vast range of activities mean no two days will be the same. What’s more, with an opportunity to travel and plan exceptional experiences and events, they have the potential to lead a very enviable lifestyle.

That said, it’s not all glamourous work. Lifestyle managers are often expected to be on-call and have to deal with high-stress situations. Therefore, the position would suit something who enjoys variety in their work, is comfortable with a high level of responsibility and takes delight in seeing projects from conception to completion. Salaries range from £30,000 – £55,000 plus bonus and benefits.

How do I become a lifestyle manager?

Often, lifestyle managers may come from an events management or luxury travel background. However, this isn’t the only pathway to the role. Many start in hotel hospitality as a receptionist, before moving up to concierge services. Personal assistants can also branch into specifically lifestyle management, building upon their organisational skills to focus on experiences and events.

When we look to hire lifestyle managers, we look at a candidate’s familiarity with the latest trends, their experience and their ability to think outside the box, anticipating and delivering above and beyond.
—
If you’d like to speak to us about opportunities in lifestyle management, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

The post So you want to be a lifestyle manager? appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Private PAs, have you been put in charge of organising your principal’s next escape? We’ve taken the guesswork out of booking, scouring the globe for five of the world’s most luxurious long weekends.

The Mark Hotel, New York City

This heritage hotel has been re-imagined as a 21st century masterpiece, combining old-world comfort and innovative design with the latest technology and an exceptional level of service. The penthouse suite is built for luxurious living, with a private lift, a living room that converts into a ballroom (complete with piano and eight-metre ceilings), his-and-hers dressing areas and his-and-hers master bathrooms with underfloor heating.

There are four fireplaces, two powder rooms and two wet bars, ensuring no-one is left high and dry at any point during their stay. With a grand total of five bedrooms, a foyer, living room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, terrace, 5.5 bathrooms and terrace access, it has everything a family could need for a visit to the Big Apple.

Madison Ave at 77th Street
New York, NY 10075
+1 (212) 744-4300
themarkhotel.com

Amanzoe, Porto Heli, Greece

With 360-degree views over the Peloponnese countryside, the ultra-luxurious Amanzoe is the definition of Aegean indulgence. There are 38 free-standing, marble-adorned pavilions, each positioned with privacy in mind. A garden, large terrace and private pool come standard in each one, along with a lofty living area and opulent king-sized bed. For larger families, the 4-6 bedroom villas offer with a private chef to cater for every culinary wish.

While leaving the pavilion is completely voluntary, outside of the stone walls sits another 25-metre pool with a wraparound terrace, a private beach club, serene spa, gym, tennis courts, Pilates studio, yoga pavilion and in tune with its location, an outdoor amphitheatre. Wellness is emphasised here – there are a number of retreats led by experts in their field and bespoke therapies include…

Agios Panteleimonas,
Kranidi, Argolida,
213 00, Greece
+30 275 4772 888
www.aman.com/resorts/amanzoe

Lime Wood, Hampshire

Lime Wood is a masterclass in laidback luxury, offering out-of-towners a stately way to relax and recharge. Once the lodgings of the Duke of Clarence, the New Forest manor has had a multi-million-dollar renovation and now offers the perfect Hampshire escape, complete with gorgeous grounds, bespoke interiors, a sumptuous spa and remarkable restaurant.

The Forest Lodges are the most indulgent of all the accommodation options, each featuring a lounge, fireplace, dining area and alfresco forest terrace, as well as a bathroom with expansive views of the surrounding environment. However, Lime Wood’s real attraction is in its gastronomic offering – esteemed chefs Angela Harnett and Luke Holder take an Italian approach to eating at Lime Wood’s restaurant, where provenance and sharing is king. Budding chefs can also opt for a private cooking class, held in the on-site cookery school.

Beaulieu Rd, Lyndhurst, Hampshire
SO43 7FZ England
+44 23 8028 7177
www.limewoodhotel.co.uk

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Located on a private island only reachable by seaplane, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort redefines luxury, one infinity pool at a time. The five-star resort is home to the largest over-water villa in the Maldives, the John Jacob Astor Estate, which features three bedrooms with attached spa treatment rooms, three Jacuzzis, a 92sqm infinity swimming pool, private cinema, gym and bespoke 24-hour St Regis butler. This is on top of all the regular amenities – a large show kitchen and butler’s pantry, private dining room, spacious terrace with sun beds and 8 Bang & Olufsen LCD TVs.

A booking at the estate also includes a private buggy, perfect for exploring the six restaurants and bars. An extensive wine cellar ensures you’ll never go thirsty, while the Iridium Spa looks after all wellness wants and needs.

Vommuli Island, Dhaalu Atoll,
Vommuli, Maldives
+9606 766 333
www.stregismaldives.com

Calivigny Island

For a completely bespoke holiday on one of the Caribbean’s finest islands, there’s no better spot than Calivigny Island. Just a five-minute boat ride from Grenada, West Indies, this perfect paradise is one of the most exclusive holiday spots in the world, boasting six beaches, five different residences with room for up to 50 guests, a fleet of boats, private chefs and access to a range of water sports and activities.

Start the day with a spot of tennis on the full-sized, flood-lit court, before taking a drip in the freshwater heated swimming pool, complete with swim-up bar. Move onto the gym, before refreshing for a spot of lunch, chosen from a tailor-made menu full of locally source fresh produce. In the afternoon, enjoy an alfresco movie thanks to the giant portable screen, or compete in billiards, poker or croquet. Finish the day with a bonfire and fireworks display on the beach and a feast fit for kings. When it’s all said and done, collapse into a king-sized bed, designed by Oscar de la Renta. Best of all, you’ll be able to do it all over again.

Calivigny
St. Georges, Grenada
+1 (473) 405 0642
www.calivigny-island.com
–
Tiger Private places exceptional private PAs into households and family offices in London, the UK and beyond. If you’re looking for a new role, or are in need of private staff, please get in touch.

The post Luxurious long weekend escapes appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Gone are the days of gloved hands carrying silver trays – the modern-day private butler job looks a little different these days. With an extended range of responsibilities, numerous benefits and an ever-growing knowledge base, it is now a very varied role requiring a wide range of skills. As a result, the paths to becoming a household butler have also evolved.

From working in five-star hotels to attending butler school, developing the skills required to excel in this position can be acquired in many different settings. So just how does one end up as a butler for a private household?

The first step is to understand the required skills and responsibilities. As a butler, your daily duties will include the coordination of household staff; overseeing the cleanliness of a property; caring for a principal’s wardrobe, fine art, wine cellar, silver and antiques; food and drink service, attending to the needs of guests and in some cases, valet service. Depending on the household, a private butler may also be assigned tasks normally attributed to someone in a personal assistant job, such as diary management and booking restaurants and travel.

The diversity of the role means there are plenty of routes to becoming a butler in London or elsewhere. While no specific formal qualifications are required, there are specialised training programmes available, with a focus on contemporary household management and domestic service.

Alternatively, many of the skills can also be developed in customer service positions, especially in luxury hospitality. Concierge or hospitality positions in five-star hotels are a fantastic way to develop communication, customer service and cleaning skills, as well as developing an understanding of silver service.

Alternatively, you may wish to seek an entry-level role in a private household, such as a junior house attendant or temporary position. This can offer the possibility of further training and progression.

Outside of these technical requirements, there is plenty you can do to work towards a butler position. A strong understanding of etiquette, professional appearance and discretion are all crucial attributes of a successful butler.

Outside of the work itself, a butler position in a private household has multiple advantages – it offers live-in accommodation, exposure to the world of luxury goods and services, a competitive salary and in some cases, the opportunity for travel and quick career progression.

Whatever your career aspirations, working with a butler employment agency can often help with your prospects. It is quite common for private households looking to hire a butler to approach a butler recruitment agency with their job specification, so being registered with an agency can maximise your chances of attaining a role as a household butler.

The post Becoming a modern-day butler appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.

Updated 13th November 2020

With December 25 fast approaching, now is the time to think about your principal’s Christmas gifting. If they have put you in charge of sourcing gifts for their dearly beloved, it can be hard to know exactly what to buy – and where to buy from.

To make your December as stress-free as possible, we’ve curated three of the best bespoke gifts to celebrate with, ensuring your principal can pass on all the Christmas cheer this year.

Wine time with Charlotte

Tiger’s wine expert, Charlotte is perfectly placed to share her extensive wine experience with your principal’s family and friends this Christmas. Should they be hosting a private dinner or festive party, why not gift Charlotte’s personal sommelier services, where she can design, source and curate the wine offering?

If they are wine aficionados looking to build upon their knowledge or cellar, Charlotte can also host wine tastings and consult on building a private portfolio, ensuring your principal’s family and friends never go thirsty.

For something truly extravagant, consider purchasing the gift of a cellar – Charlotte can design and advise on the building of the entire structure, covering elements such as temperature control, storage and stock control.

Travel experiences with ALS Ski

Post-pandemic, your principal and their guests may be ready to jet off on a luxurious escape. Is this the year your principal and their guests jet off on a luxurious escape? The team at ALS Ski can assist in all travel planning, creating bespoke experiences in every part of the world. By gifting ALS Ski’s services, your principal’s family and friends are in for a treat – through a vast network of contacts, they are able to craft a journey that’s tailored to their interests and travelling style. From setting up incredible winter escapes in the Alps to a tropical escape with their team at ALS Sun, your principal can enjoy the type of escape they’re looking for, whatever their requirements.

A family heirloom, created with Loquet London

If your principal is looking for a gift to be passed down through the generations, the incredible, bespoke pieces at Loquet London may be the answer.

Each Loquet is completely customisable, but start with a clear sapphire crystal face with a solid gold outer rim. Inside, you can place collectable handmade charms, either from their extensive catalogue, or unique and designed by you. In addition to their lockets, they also sell delicate rings, bracelets and earrings.

Does your Christmas to-do list also involve hiring temporary staff for the holiday season? Tiger Private’s temporary division can help! Get in touch today.

The post Bespoke buying: unique gifts for your principal this Christmas appeared first on Tiger Recruitment.