With Easter approaching, London’s discerning homeowners are gearing up for a season of gatherings—brunches in Chelsea, family retreats to the Cotswolds, or intimate dinners in Notting Hill. A flawless celebration hinges on one thing: exceptional household staff. At Marshall Harber, we’ve equipped countless private residences with the talent to make every occasion seamless. Here’s how to staff your home for Easter success, ensuring your holiday shines without a hitch.

Plan Your Staffing Needs Early
Easter often means extra guests, whether it’s relatives staying over or friends dropping by. Start now to assess your needs:
* Housekeepers: Extra hands keep guest rooms pristine, linens fresh, and spills managed during egg hunts or afternoon teas.
* Chauffeurs: With London traffic or rural road trips, a skilled driver ensures timely arrivals—be it to church or a countryside estate.
* Butlers or Assistants: For larger events, a butler can oversee service, from pouring Champagne to coordinating caterers.
Booking early avoids the last-minute rush. Demand spikes in spring, so secure your team by mid-April.

Match Staff to Your Easter Style
Every household celebrates differently. Tailor your staff to your plans:
* Casual Brunch: A proactive housekeeper can set up, tidy up, and keep the kitchen humming while you enjoy hot cross buns with guests.
* Formal Dinner: A butler brings polish—serving roast lamb with precision and managing the flow of a multi-course meal.
* Weekend Getaway: A chauffeur with local knowledge doubles as a discreet guide, navigating from Kensington to Kent without fuss.
Discuss your vision with your agency to ensure the right fit. At Marshall Harber, we match staff to your exact needs, down to the smallest detail.

Lean on Vetted Professionals
Easter is no time for guesswork. Discretion and skill are non-negotiable when guests fill your home:
* Vetting: Insist on DBS-checked staff with glowing references. Our candidates come pre-screened, trusted by London’s finest homes.
* Experience: Look for staff seasoned in high-pressure settings—think busy households or luxury events. They’ll handle chaos calmly.
* Trial Option: For new hires, a pre-Easter trial (say, a day this week) confirms they mesh with your rhythm.
A vetted team lets you focus on hosting, not micromanaging.

Why It Pays Off
A well-staffed Easter means no stress—just enjoyment. Your housekeeper clears the table while you chat with guests. Your chauffeur whisks family to the station while you sip tea. It’s the quiet luxury discerning Londoners expect. And with spring ushering in more events, a reliable team now sets the tone for the season.
Ready to make Easter effortless? Marshall Harber connects you with London’s top household staff, tailored for your holiday and beyond. Contact us today.

In London’s grandest homes—from Belgravia townhouses to Hampstead estates—household staff are more than skilled workers; they’re guardians of privacy. For distinguished households, discretion isn’t just a preference—it’s the cornerstone of trust. At Marshall Harber, we’ve spent decades placing exceptional staff with private households across the UK and abroad. What sets the best apart? It’s the art of discretion. Here’s why it matters, how it shines, and how we ensure it in every candidate.

Why Discretion Defines Excellence
Wealthy households thrive on seamless routines and unspoken boundaries. A housekeeper overhearing a business call, a chauffeur driving a high-profile guest, or a nanny managing a child’s tantrum—all demand discretion beyond the job description. Discretion means knowing what not to say, share, or even notice. It’s the difference between a good employee and one who becomes indispensable. For clients, it’s peace of mind that their private world stays private, whether they’re hosting a gala or unwinding after a long day.

Discretion in Action
Every role showcases this skill uniquely:
* Housekeepers: They glide through rooms, polishing silver or folding linens, without a whisper about who visited or what was left behind. A discreet housekeeper doesn’t just clean—they protect your space.
* Chauffeurs: Behind the wheel, they tune out backseat conversations—be it a deal being struck or a family spat—focusing only on the road and your comfort.
* Butlers: Managing staff or serving guests, they anticipate needs without prying, ensuring the household hums without a trace of intrusion.
* Nannies: Caring for children, they shield sensitive moments—like a parent’s absence or a child’s struggles—from the outside world.
The finest staff don’t need to be instructed on discretion; it’s instinct, honed by experience and character.

How We Spot—and Secure—Discretion
At Marshall Harber, discretion isn’t an afterthought—it’s a filter. Our process ensures it:
* Interviews: We ask, “How do you handle overhearing private matters?” Top candidates emphasise confidentiality naturally, often citing past examples (anonymised, of course).
* Vetting: Beyond DBS checks and references, we dig into reputation. Have they worked in elite homes before? Did employers trust them implicitly? We verify wherever possible with direct calls.
* Training Insight: Many of our candidates come with years in luxury settings—hotels, yachts, or estates—where discretion is non-negotiable. We prioritise this pedigree.
We previously placed a butler with a Kensington family who praised his “invisible presence”—he managed their home flawlessly, never hinting at the VIPs who passed through. That’s the standard we chase.

Why It’s Non-Negotiable
In a connected age, one slip—a tweeted anecdote, a casual remark—can unravel trust. London’s distinguished households can’t afford that risk. Discreet staff aren’t just employees; they’re partners in preserving a lifestyle. They enable hosts to entertain, families to relax, and business to proceed without a second thought.
Looking for staff who master the art of discretion? Marshall Harber connects you with London’s most trusted professionals, vetted for skill and silence alike. Contact us to find your perfect match.

Employing household staff can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both the employer and employee. Not only does it provide much-needed support to busy households, but it also allows employers to build relationships with people who have diverse backgrounds and experiences. That said, there are many things that employers should consider before they bring new staff into their homes. Let’s take a look at five of them.

1. Understand Your Legal Requirements
It is important to understand the legal requirements that come with employing household staff, such as tax payments, minimum wage requirements, and other applicable labor laws. This will ensure that you are compliant with all regulations and avoid any potential legal issues in the future. It is important to remember that each country or state has different laws regarding employment—so be sure to research the specific regulations in your area before hiring anyone.
2. Develop Clear Job Descriptions
Having a clear job description for each role you need filled is essential for ensuring your expectations are properly communicated from the start. This will help ensure that your employees understand what is expected of them from day one and provide clarity when managing their performance throughout their employment.
3. Provide Adequate Training
Providing adequate training for your employees is critical for ensuring they know how to perform their job duties safely and efficiently—especially if they are working in a potentially hazardous environment like a kitchen or around any type of machinery or tools. Depending on the specific role, you may need to get additional certifications or licenses in order for your employee to legally work in certain roles like childcare or medical caretaking positions.
4. Establish Boundaries
Establishing boundaries between yourself and your employees will help maintain professional relationships while still allowing everyone involved to have a comfortable working environment. It’s important to make sure that everyone understands what is acceptable behaviour while they are on the job so that there are no misunderstandings down the line about what is expected from both sides of the relationship.
5 . Review Their Performance Regularly
Regularly reviewing an employee’s performance can help keep them motivated and open up opportunities for improvement when needed—plus it gives employers an opportunity to recognise good work! Performance reviews also give employers insight into how their staff feels about certain aspects of their job so they can better address any issues that may arise over time.

Taking on household staff can be incredibly rewarding when done responsibly. By understanding your legal requirements, developing clear job descriptions, providing adequate training, establishing boundaries, and reviewing performance regularly, employers can ensure that both themselves and their employees have an enjoyable experience all around! Doing this will ultimately create positive relationships between employers and employees while helping both sides reach success in their respective fields!

When it comes to maintaining a clean and organised home, there are many options available to homeowners. However, the nuances and differences between a housekeeper working in a high net worth home versus a cleaner that works for a cleaning agency that charges by the hour for their services can be significant. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two types of services and the benefits they offer.

Housekeeping Services
Housekeeping services typically cater to high net worth individuals and families who require a more personalised and tailored cleaning experience. Housekeepers are trained professionals who are skilled in the art of cleaning and organising a home. They work directly for the homeowner and provide a range of services that go beyond basic cleaning tasks.

Housekeepers are responsible for managing all aspects of household chores, from cleaning and laundry to grocery shopping and running errands. They are highly skilled and have a deep understanding of the unique needs and preferences of their clients. They often work long hours and are expected to be available at all times to ensure that their clients' homes are always in pristine condition.

Cleaning Services
On the other hand, cleaning services typically cater to a wider range of clients and are more affordable than housekeeping services. These services are usually provided by cleaning agencies that charge by the hour for their services. Cleaning services are ideal for homeowners who require basic cleaning tasks and do not need the more personalised and specialised services offered by a housekeeper.

Cleaners who work for a cleaning agency are trained professionals who have experience in cleaning homes, offices, and other commercial spaces. They typically work in teams and use advanced cleaning equipment and techniques to provide a thorough and efficient cleaning experience. However, they may not be as familiar with the unique needs and preferences of individual clients as a housekeeper would be.

Which One is Right for You?

Choosing between housekeeping and cleaning services ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you require a more personalised and specialised cleaning experience, then a housekeeper may be the best choice for you. However, if you require basic cleaning tasks and are more cost-conscious, then a cleaning service may be a more suitable option.

In conclusion, both housekeeping and cleaning services have their unique benefits and advantages. By understanding the differences between these two types of services, you can make an informed decision and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

For high net worth families, having an experienced and reliable personal assistant can be invaluable. From managing their daily activities to providing support for family members, personal assistants play an important role in helping their employers live a comfortable lifestyle. Here’s a look at the responsibilities of private family personal assistants.

Organizational Responsibilities
One of the primary duties of a private family personal assistant is to organize their employer’s day-to-day life. This includes managing calendars, scheduling appointments, making travel arrangements, and coordinating with other staff members. Assistants may also be responsible for filing paperwork, taking notes during meetings, and performing administrative tasks like data entry or document preparation. Any tasks that need to be completed on a regular basis should fall under the scope of this position.

Family Support
In addition to administrative duties, private family personal assistants are often tasked with providing support directly to family members. They may help monitor children’s educational progress or coordinate extracurricular activities for them. They may also run errands or take care of any other needs that arise within the household. It is important for these assistants to have excellent organizational skills as well as strong interpersonal communication abilities in order to effectively handle these kinds of tasks.

Other Duties
The exact duties of a private family’s personal assistant will vary depending on the specific needs of their employer’s household. In some cases they may be asked to manage household finances or oversee repairs and maintenance jobs around the home. They may also be responsible for handling vendors or contractors who work with the family on special projects or repairs as needed. In short, no two days are ever quite the same when it comes to being a personal assistant in a high net worth household!

A private family's personal assistant plays an important role in helping their employers maintain an orderly lifestyle while providing direct support to each member of the family when necessary. Responsibilities range from organizing daily activities and making travel arrangements to monitoring children's educational progress and handling vendors and contractors for home repairs or special projects. No matter what type of task is required, it is essential for private family personal assistants to have excellent organizational skills as well as strong interpersonal communication abilities in order to successfully carry out their duties on behalf of their employer's household.