New services, market shifts and what is coming next
Summer is often described as a quieter period, but that certainly has not been the case at Shire & Wold Staffing.
From launching new services and managing searches across the UK and internationally to recording conversations with some brilliant podcast guests, it has been a busy few months for the team.
We began with the S&W Summer Drinks: an opportunity to bring people together, strengthen relationships and take a moment to celebrate how far the business and our network have come.
Recruitment is built on people, trust and genuine relationships. Events like this remind us how important it is to make time for those relationships away from the desk.
Our S&W Daily temporary staffing desk has continued to grow throughout the summer.
Households do not stop needing support because permanent staff are on holiday, somebody is unwell or plans suddenly change. S&W Daily helps private households secure trusted temporary professionals for holiday cover, sickness, events, busy periods and those occasions when additional help is needed at short notice.
The summer has reinforced just how valuable a responsive and flexible staffing solution can be, particularly for households whose requirements change throughout the year.
Our most recent market updates highlighted several important themes for private households and family offices.
First, family offices and private offices are becoming increasingly professionalised. Employers are looking for clearer reporting lines, better-defined responsibilities and candidates who can combine private-service understanding with strong commercial or institutional experience.
We are also continuing to see demand for hybrid positions. Lifestyle PAs, Chiefs of Staff, House Managers and senior household professionals are increasingly expected to work across properties, people, projects, travel and personal administration. The title alone is no longer enough: the scope, authority and expectations of the position need to be properly defined.
International mobility remains another major influence. London, Dubai and other global UHNW centres are competing for the same senior talent. Employers need to consider the whole package, including salary, accommodation, flexibility, progression and working culture, if they want to attract and retain exceptional people.
Finally, employment legislation is moving quickly. Under the current government timetable, the time limit for bringing most Employment Tribunal claims will increase from three to six months on 1 October 2026. Further changes are scheduled for 30 October, followed by significant unfair-dismissal reforms from January 2027. View the government implementation timetable
For private employers and family offices, robust recruitment processes, contracts, probation structures and documented performance management are becoming more important than ever.
The role of the traditional Private PA is evolving. Today’s Lifestyle PA brings organisation, structure and calm to increasingly complex private lives, supporting everything from family diaries and travel to household teams and personal administration.
In our latest article, we explore this growing role, who is hiring Lifestyle PAs and the difference the right appointment can make.
Read The Evolution of the Private PA The New Lifestyle PA
Looking for exceptional talent? Our Candidate Spotlight features a handpicked selection of outstanding professionals currently available across private households, family offices, luxury brands and hospitality.
View our latest Candidate Spotlight
For many private households, preparing a residence for Christmas involves far more than decorating the tree.
This year, Shire & Wold Staffing is introducing S&W Festive Residence Support for clients across the Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas.
The service is designed for families who want to arrive at a home that is fully prepared, operational and ready to welcome family and guests. It may be particularly valuable for internationally based clients returning to their UK residence for Christmas, as well as busy families who need additional support over the festive period.
Depending on your requirements, we can help coordinate:
Support can range from a single temporary staffing booking through S&W Daily to the coordination of a wider pre-arrival or festive household-support plan.
Where specialist services are required, we can liaise with trusted local suppliers and work alongside your existing Private PA, House Manager, family office or household team.
We will be accepting a limited number of festive bookings to ensure every household receives a responsive and personally managed service.
To discuss festive support, email enquiries@shireandwoldstaffing.com or call the Cotswolds office on 01869 934 156.
The Anything But Ordinary podcast will return in October with a new series of conversations exploring the people, careers and businesses behind luxury, private households and the UHNW world.
We will also be recording a special episode with the Shire & Wold team, looking back at the last season, sharing some behind-the-scenes moments and talking honestly about what we have learned along the way.
Last season’s guests included:
Follow Anything But Ordinary on Spotify
On 22 and 23 September, I will be holding a free Career Clinic for people who would benefit from objective advice about their next move.
The clinic is designed for anyone who feels stuck, needs help presenting their experience or would like an honest conversation about where their skills could take them next.
Appointments are almost full, but a small number of spaces remain.
Book a Career Clinic appointment
I will also be launching a separate Recruitment Clinic specifically for private employers and family offices.
A UK employment lawyer will join me to answer questions about recruiting and employing staff under the new legislation.
Further details and booking information will be released shortly. If you would like priority access, please message me directly to register your interest.
We are currently working on roles across London, Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, Europe and the Middle East, including:
We are also recruiting for our own team.
We are looking for a proactive and creative Social Media & Marketing Manager to join Shire & Wold Staffing. This is a hybrid role based near Bicester, supporting the Shire & Wold brand, my personal brand, our communities, events and the Anything But Ordinary podcast.
Salary: £30,000-£40,000 gross per annum.
View the Social Media and Marketing Manager position
Browse all current Shire & Wold vacancies
If you are a private individual, family office, founder or luxury business considering your next appointment, we would be delighted to speak with you.
Shire & Wold Staffing supports clients with specialist searches across private households, family offices, luxury brands, hospitality, yachts and international residences.
Whether you need one exceptional person or support building an entire team, the best results begin with defining exactly what the role, household or organisation really needs.
Message me directly or email enquiries@shireandwoldstaffing.com for a confidential conversation.Rooted in the Cotswolds, grown in London and recruiting worldwide.
