Today, I am talking to Kelly Watkins, who started out cleaning houses and now runs an estate in Beverly Hills, California. She tells of the importance to get stuck in, try your hand at anything and look at the positives to any job.

It’s a tough job, but once you find that jackpot house, there’s no better place to be. In this episode we discuss:

🎙️ How she got into, and stayed, in the industry

🎙️ Tips on how to find your ideal role

🎙️ How to see interviews as a two-way street – it’s called an inter-view for a reason

Whether you’re interested in getting into the Private Household industry, or just like a good story or two, this episode is for you.

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-hollywood-house-watkins

Today, I am talking to Joy, who started her private hospitality career in a ski chalet and then headed to the South of France in the summer. Since getting her break in the yachting world, she has worked her way up the ranks, on a variety of incredible super yachts, and is now a Purser. 

It’s an industry where attention to detail, long days and a lot of cleaning come as standard but in return you see places all around the world and meet lots of people all the time. In this episode we discuss: 

🎙️ How she first got into the industry and what you can do to help your chances 

🎙️ The workload and how the job isn’t for everyone 

🎙️ What it’s really like on some of the most luxurious boats in the world    

She talks stories, life as a yachtie and some real truths about one of the most seemingly glamorous roles out there. If you’ve seen the TV show Below Deck, you’re in for a bit of a surprise.

Today, I am talking to Sam Drakard, a good friend who talks about his experiences as a Chef. Having already had a fascinating career, spanning many parts of the chef world, Sam’s first Private Chef role was in a luxury ski chalet in the French Alps. From there, he’s gone on to working in private residences all around the world.   

He has some great stories and tips for anyone looking to get into the industry. In this episode we discuss:

🎙️ The main differences between the private sector and restaurants, for a chef 

🎙️ What his favourite thing to cook is (you’ll never guess!) 

🎙️ Why you might need to think twice before dating a chef   

Sam lets us in on what it’s really like in the kitchen – as glamorous as the location may be, some things are always the same. But the experiences, friendships and all the bits in between make for a very fulfilling career – basically, creating a plate of food that someone is enjoys eating, is all you can really ask for.   

Connect with Sam on LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-aj-drakard

Today, I am talking to Shada, who explains the role of a nanny and just how much goes into planning and organising in her role. As well as looking after children of all ages for a host of families around the world, she has a mentoring program, teaches potty training and simply LOVES what she does.

She has some serious passion for being a nanny, it’s always lovely to see someone who loves their job this much. In this episode we discuss: 

🎙️ How she got into the industry and her career to date

🎙️ That sometimes you just don’t fit into a household, and that’s okay

🎙️ Whether she prefers live-in or live-out roles, and why   

Shada is also an Ambassador for the UK Nannies Matter Campaign which aims to have nannies recognised as professionals by advocating and regulating them in all child-care settings within the United Kingdom. You can help by signing a petition at https://www.change.org/p/the-uk-nannies-matter-campaign-advocate-and-regulate-nannies-in-all-child-care-settings

The main thing she feels is that you have to trust your nanny to do the best for your child, not Google. Any child would be lucky to have Nanny Sharz in their life at some point or another.

Connect with Shada: 

LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/shada-lambert-40b4b41a5 

Facebook – www.facebook.com/NannySharzOfficial 

Instagram – www.instagram.com/nannysharz

YouTube – www.youtube.com/channel/UCoYNZSqWMOwmCNRaKCix0nA 

Twitter – www.twitter.com/nannysharz

Today, I am talking to John, who started as a bricklayer, went through the special forces and has since worked for an array of rich and famous people, building and running their houses in some of the most beautiful parts of the world.

The stories he has are worth a listen alone, but he also has some great advice on following your gut, going with the flow and always being honest. In this episode we discuss:

🎙️ How he got into the special forces, and how tough the selection process is

🎙️ The incredible homes he’s built and run in the Caribbean and beyond

🎙️ Why it’s important not to plan your career but to look for the doors opening and be brave to try

Whether you’re interested in getting into this line of work, or just like a good story or two, this episode is for you.

Connect with John on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngalleymore/

Today, I am talking to Anna, who started as a teacher at the poorest school in Scotland and worked her way up to travelling around the globe as the private governess for some of the top ultra-high net worth (UHNW) families in the world.

It’s by no means an easy career, as Anna explains, however there are huge benefits and experiences that she simply couldn’t have had without this job.

In this episode we discuss:

🎙️ Her journey and how one step back can lead to many steps forward

🎙️ The incredible places she’s been and things she’s seen

🎙️ How it can appear glamorous, but how you have to be flexible and willing to work hard

Whether you’re interested in getting into this line of work, or just like a good story or two, this episode is for you.

Feel free to connect with Anna here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-coquelin-909a6438/

Do you know what is involved when working on a private plane?

Welcome to Working for the Rich & Famous, a weekly podcast talking to guests with successful careers working in the private sector.

Today, I am talking with Steph Deidda, who now works with me at Silver Swan Recruitment. She manages our office in Dubai recruiting private household staff for palaces and residences across UAE. However, before she joined Silver Swan in 2019 she had a very successful career in aviation. Working her way up from a commercial airline to a business only airline onto a solid career working on private jets.

In this episode we discuss:

🎙️ Her story of resilience and determination to get to where she wanted to be

🎙️ How to physically move from commercial to corporate jets

🎙️ What to expect your role to involve when working on private jets

We are asked literally every day, especially recently as many cabin crew have been made redundant, how to move into the private aviation sector. So I hope this episode helps answers a lot of your questions.

Feel free to connect with Steph here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-deidda-a5594082/

Welcome to Working with the Rich & Famous, a short weekly podcast talking to guests with successful careers working in the private sector.

Today, I am talking with Russell Orford, an experienced House Manager based in London. In this episode we cover a range of topics, including:

🎙️ Transitioning from the army to the private sector

🎙️ Stepping straight into management rather than working his way up

🎙️ The expectations involved in working for high profile Principals

🎙️The impact of Covid-19 and the plan for returning to the household

This is an inspiring story having never worked in hospitality before with stories that are just unbelievable!

If you would like to connect with Russell, please do so here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellorford/

Welcome to Working for the Rich & Famous, a short weekly podcast talking to guests with successful careers working in the private sector.

Here is an introduction to our new podcast to give you an insight into my background and why I thought it might be a good idea to launch The Silver Swan Show. Having had a career in recruitment, especially within the luxury hospitality sector, I thought I’d give an insight into this industry. We are asked regularly….

The list continues…..!

I therefore thought it would be really useful for those new to the industry to listen to others who have been there, done it, and got years’ worth of experience to share. I will therefore be chatting to different guests who have successful careers in the sector, who all do different types of work, for different types of clients all over the world. It’ll be interesting to know how similar the role of House Manager is in London, to LA, to Dubai. How have different people managed to get into the industry in the first place, is there any specific training that helped them, do they have any advice for others looking to have similar careers.

For those not in the sector – I can assure you, it’ll be fascinating for you too. The stories that you’ll hear will blow your mind!

Listen in each (new episodes posted on Wednesdays) – you can either subscribe and watch on you tube, download on podcast or listen on Spotify.

From training at the world-renowned International Butler Academy to running households for aristocratic and UHNW families across the UK, Rien Thoma’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, professionalism, and the evolving reality of private service.

With ten years’ experience across statrely homes, formal estates, and high-expectation principals, Rien shares the truth behind the job — the pressure, the unpredictability, the burnout, and the moments that make it all worth it.

He opens up about managing understaffed homes, navigating employer expectations, building strong household teams, and how becoming a father has reshaped his view of work–life balance in an industry that rarely slows down.

In this episode, Philippa and Rien dive into:
🧳 How Butler Academy training prepares you for real UHNW households
🏰 The transition from butler to house manager — and why most people skip crucial steps
⚠️ The rise of health & safety, M&E knowledge, and the pressure to “know everything”
👨‍👩‍👧 Why boundaries and balance matter more than ever in private staffing
🧠 The mindset required to survive (and thrive) in demanding service roles

A grounded, insightful conversation that reveals the real working life behind the gates — from the traditions that still hold strong to the rapid changes shaping the next generation of private service professionals.

Resources & Links:

🔗 Visit www.silverswanrecruitment.com
🎧 Follow Life in Private Staffing on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
💬 Follow us on Instagram @silverswanrecruitment, @silverswanpodcast, and LinkedIn Silver Swan Recruitment