With 2026 beginning to take shape, many private staff professionals will be reflecting on their careers, what they want more of, what they’re ready to leave behind, and what success really looks like for the year ahead.
For UHNW private PA’s working within private residences, there is rarely time for lengthy reflection. Their world moves quickly, quietly, and almost entirely behind the scenes. And while the title “PA” may sound familiar, the reality of the role is anything but ordinary.
It’s this hidden world that our Founder and CEO, Zoe Jackson, explores on her podcast, Anything But Ordinary, dedicated to uncovering the unordinary lives and careers of high-profile individuals and UHNW professionals.
In a recent episode, she sat down with Simon Coles, a UHNW Private PA whose career path is as unconventional as the role itself. Formerly an actor on Hollyoaks, Simon made the transition from life in front of the camera to working discreetly behind the scenes as a trusted UHNW Private PA.
On paper, attending the MET Gala with a high-profile celebrity may seem like a dream, as a UHNW private PA, success is measured not by recognition, but by how seamlessly everything runs. Ensuring every detail is planned down to the last milli-second, from the amount of time spent on the red carpet, to dress fittings, and even flying out days before, Simon’s story offers a fascinating insight into the qualities that truly matter in private service, many of which don’t appear on a traditional CV.
To the outside world, the role of a PA is often reduced to diaries, travel arrangements and inbox management. In the private UHNW space, this perception couldn’t be further from the truth.
PAs are often the unseen constant in an ever-moving environment, anticipating needs before they are voiced, managing complex lives across multiple residences and time zones, and acting as gatekeepers to some of the most high-profile individuals in the world.
This is not a role defined by routine. No two days are the same, and the responsibility, emotional as much as operational, is significant. As Simon Cole explores in the latest Anything But Ordinary episode, this is exactly why community has become such a pivotal part of modern PA life.
While discretion remains fundamental, having access to a trusted professional network, a space to exchange insight, ask questions and connect with others who truly understand private service, is increasingly essential.
This is something we actively support through our own private staff network, created exclusively for professionals working within UHNW residences.
For those working in private service who value connection as much as discretion, details on joining our network can be found via the sign-up pop-up on our website.
The role of a PA is always evolving. Today’s UHNW principals require individuals who are not only highly capable, but deeply intuitive.
Some of the defining qualities include:
The role of the UHNW Private PA remains one of the most valuable and influential positions behind the scenes. And when excellence matters, choosing the right partner to find that individual makes all the difference.
At Shire & Wold Staffing, we specialise in recruiting exceptional Private PA’s for UHNW private residences. Whether supporting a single principal or a complex household, we work closely with both clients and candidates to create long-term, trusted partnerships, because in private service, the right PA doesn’t just support a life, they help it run seamlessly.
Get in contact to discuss your staffing requirements today.
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