House Manager & Housekeeper

Household Staff Supervision

Leading, developing, and managing the full complement of household staff to the standards expected in world-class private residences.

An exceptional House Manager is a confident and respected leader of the household team, setting daily expectations, managing rotas and workloads, conducting staff appraisals, and resolving issues with firmness and fairness. Our candidates are experienced in managing teams of varying sizes, from intimate households with four or five staff to large estates with twenty or more. They know how to maintain high morale, consistent standards, and a culture of discretion across the team.

Vendor & Contractor Management

Maintaining and developing a trusted network of suppliers, contractors, and service providers who meet the principal's exacting standards.

The House Manager is the primary point of contact for external service providers such as decorators, florists, caterers, plumbers, electricians, and security contractors. Our candidates are skilled at vetting suppliers, negotiating terms, managing quality, and holding contractors accountable when standards are not met. They maintain comprehensive records of preferred suppliers across multiple properties and are experienced in coordinating complex, concurrent works within a live household environment.

Household Budgets & Procurement

Managing the household's financial administration, including budgeting, purchasing, accounting, and reporting, with precision and transparency.

Our House Managers are experienced in taking full ownership of household budgets. They prepare annual forecasts, track expenditure, manage petty cash, reconcile accounts, and report to the principal, Chief of Staff, or family office as required. They oversee household purchasing, from daily provisions to significant capital items, and ensure quality, value, and appropriate authorisation at every level. Accurate, transparent financial management is considered a non-negotiable competency in every candidate we place.

Property Presentation & Daily Standards

Ensuring every area of the residence meets and maintains the immaculate standard expected by the principal at all times.

The House Manager is the guardian of the home's standard of presentation, from the arrangement of flowers in the entrance hall to the condition of the silver, the temperature of each room, and the readiness of every guest suite. Our candidates have an instinctive eye for detail and the personal discipline to ensure that standards never slip, regardless of whether the principal is in residence. They also oversee the care and management of fine furnishings, art, antiques, and other valuable household items.

Guest & Principal Arrival Preparation

Orchestrating seamless arrivals and departures so the home is prepared for the principal and their guests.

A significant responsibility of the House Manager is preparing the residence for the principal's arrival by coordinating with the household team, briefing relevant staff, managing catering and flower arrangements, and anticipating personal preferences. For guest arrivals, they manage room preparation, dietary requirements, itinerary coordination, and special requests. Our candidates are adept at managing the logistical complexity of large households during periods of entertaining, when multiple guests, events, and service demands may occur simultaneously.

Multi-Property Coordination

Managing multiple residences simultaneously while maintaining consistent standards and seamless transitions between properties.

Many of our principal clients maintain several residences in London, the countryside, overseas, or aboard a yacht. Our House Managers are experienced in managing the operational demands of multiple properties simultaneously, coordinating local staff teams at each location, preparing properties ahead of the principal's arrival, and maintaining standards during periods of vacancy. They are comfortable managing the logistical complexity of international properties, including local staff, local regulations, and the unique characteristics of each home.