Estate Manager, House Manager

Confidential candidate

I am a very organised, dynamic, and enthusiastic House Manager (Ex Armed Forces/Diplomatic Officer), possessing excellent interpersonal, business and project management skills, which are combined with natural leadership qualities working on my own or within a team environment. I have experience in managing principal’s lifestyle, hospitality, household and have a large black book of contacts worldwide for this purpose.

I have vast experience running intricate, large estates and households worldwide. Dealing with staff, discipline, working rotas, holiday planning, HR systems, Contractor and contract negotiation, Health and Safety and running any other errands the principal/s see fit. I am used to being on call 24/7 and flexibility has been key in all of my previous positions. Having dealt with many Royal family’s/Government’s worldwide I am well versed in different cultures and etiquette. Every household I have managed have been run to exacting standards for my principals and I take great pride in providing a flexible and seamless service. I am well versed in working in roles that are not 9-5 and this suits me.

I have also managed budgets for both the civil service and UHNWI’s I have been key in massive savings without affecting what is being delivered; this is typically achieved through my networks of contacts. In all of my positions I have been a key gatekeeper for my principals.

In my last position I managed 35 employees worldwide, and have full responsibility for weekly one to ones, appraisals, development, working Rota’s holiday planning and setting objectives. This also included recruitment responsibilities. Further to this in my previous position at the FCO, I interviewed potential Diplomatic Officer candidates who wish to work at the Foreign Office and sat on assessment centres to determine if candidates were suitable. Being PRINCE 2 qualified I also take on projects as and when required.

My current career experience and background have allowed me to liaise comfortably and professionally with high-level Government Officials and CEO’s/UHNWI. In addition, I am very loyal, discreet and professional. Integrity and trustworthiness are critical in my day-to-day role. I have excellent checkable references.

House Manager – Dec 2020

Having only been in this role for a short period of time I have delivered impact on protective and physical security measures to protect the Principal and his family. I have already made cost savings in the 6-figure range and implemented new procedures and processes to enable audit control and a smoothly run household
• Management of UHNWI large property in Central London
• Private jet management
• HR duties and management of staff
• Events management
• Physical & Protective security
• Implementation and write up of new household procedures
• Development of an intricate Maintenance schedule
• Any ad hoc duties assigned to me by the Principal
• Any ad hoc business-related tasks
• Special projects (complete revamp of Physical security)

Consultancy/Career Break March 2019 – Dec 2020

• Various Consultancies with The Foreign and Commonwealth Office & Number 10 (Prime Ministers Office) on crisis management & COVID
• Career break to assist with ill mother and the purchase of a house/travel

Chief of Staff (UK & Internationally focused) Oct 2018 – March 2019 TEMP

• Overall daily management of the Employer’s personal operation to include but not limited to: travel, personal, business, logistical, HR, finance, events etc.
• Daily operational oversight of financial elements which included budgets/cash flow forecasts and reporting/co-ordination of such
• Daily management and co-ordination of the Employer’s employees (35+) across all locations, not limited to: recruitment, performance reviews and disciplinary.
• Management of Private Plane and Yacht
• Contact database management
• Cost savings of approx. 200k+ (within 5 months)
• Implementation of new I. T security measures and ensuring all staff are security conscious for both cyber and physical matters
• Management of all correspondence to include email, post and confidential data.
• Responsible for all maintenance (including grounds) and security of property’s
• Ensuring security and confidentiality are adhered to, developed and managed by all parties. Periodic reviews of implemented SOP’s. Continual review of the Employer’s security to include cyber, physical etc.
• Management of AV systems
• Staff training
• Contractor management
• Ensuring that all IT/Media/Audio alarm & Visual systems are maintained and operational at all times.
• Exercise a high level of confidentiality and discretion at all times.
• Aiding the Employer with any requested task as and when required
• Management of principal’s events Planning, scheduling and procurement of all travel entities on behalf of the Employer and or any requested party.
• Approval and payment of quotations/invoices and expenses. Responsible for maintaining good contact and business relationships with various companies and individuals on behalf of the Employer. To include research and due diligence into proposals/quotations etc.
• Maintaining contact with various financial consultants on behalf of the Employer and providing necessary reports as specified/required.

Private
Secretary to UHNWI
March 2018 – Oct 2018

• Household staff recruitment and management
• Daily inbox, letter and telephone management
• Managing the Principals philanthropic interests
• Advising the principal in matters of business, personal security and liaising with external contractors
• Planning and executing events to an exceedingly high standard exceeding 80 guests
• Line management of an Assistant Private Secretary
• Acting on behalf of the Principal in business and personal meetings
• Savings in excess of 55k within 2 months of being in the role
• Budget management
• Production and implementation of all logistical/accommodation elements for the principal often dealing with last-minute changes
• Stakeholder engagement with the Royal Household, accountants and other corporate entities
• On call 24/7
• Data protection manager – Implementation of GDPR
• Reviewing requests for philanthropic funding
• Full budget management for both business and philanthropic interests
• Contact/contractor database management

Private
Secretary/Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs United Kingdom
May 2011 – Dec 2017
• Management of multiple homes both Government and Private (Chevening, Grade 1 listed, Carlton Gardens & others (including refurbishment projects & staffing requirements)
• Management of all house staff & security
• Hospitality & lifestyle management
• Acting as an ambassador for the Foreign Secretary
• Sourcing of many properties for the UK government
• Managing large renovation projects
• Managing contractors
• A flexible worker on call 24/7
• Developed Vetting (DV), Government Security Clearance - required for position
• Responsible for all maintenance and security of property’s, inclusive of Special Branch relationship
• Loyalty, discretion and a professional outlook are key to this position
• Very well versed in protocol and etiquette
• Managing of personal properties within the UK and internationally
• PRINCE 2 project manager, taking on Ad Hoc projects, and events (large and small) such as 5* dinners, Visits, annual leadership conference’s with attendance in excess of 500 delegates
• Management of Foreign Secretary’s travel (flights), security, transportation, to include other staff as required
• Events management both personal and professional for the principal
• Management of 10 staff - weekly one to ones, appraisals, development and setting objectives
• Recruitment manager for the private office
Arranging and securing VVIP, UHNW, Royal and State Visits
Handling of large-scale budgets
• Responsible for compiling, fostering and developing a vast network of professional and personal contacts (Corporate, private [High net-worth] and Government sectors) to advance the overall functions within this position
• Attending meetings on behalf of the Foreign Secretary and UK Government

Her Majesty’s Forces, British Army, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment
Sep 1999 – May 2011

• Direct line management and development responsibilities for 25 soldiers in varying age groups, including on and off the battlefield
• Delivered all events and visits from Royalty, MP’s and General 5* Level visitors
• Budget handling
• SC Cleared
• Events and Conference Directing (Mess club)
• Exemplary report upon leaving
• PMC duties involved the running of a private members mess for Junior and Senior members of a 700-member strong Regiment/Battlegroup. This ranged from the organisation of 5* silver service ballroom dinners, Conferences down to low key BBQs etc. Also included sitting on the board of Directors controlling a major budget and appointing other board members.
• Implemented new projects and chaired daily meetings to ensure that a smooth transition of newly integrated regulations and commitments from project to project were brought to a very high standard
• Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank Commander
• Mastiff and 4X4 Commander/Instructor
• Fund-raising, Communications and Media/PR consultant for a registered charity (Scotty's Little Soldiers) for children of fallen servicemen and women. Raised over 1M. (2010-2013)

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