LONDON LIFE
Q
uestion: How many high net 2008, Nannytax, the payroll company
worth individuals does it take for nannies’ employers, said the pay
to screw in a light bulb? Answer: of central London nannies has almost
None, if the most recent ‘Barclays Wealth doubled in ten years. Last year, there
Insights’ survey is correct, because they were reports of a global butler shortage,
all have housekeepers to do it for them. attributed to ‘new billionaires wanting
Contrary to popular belief, money to live like billionaires.’ Apparently
can buy time and the survey details how the estimated 5,000 professional butlers
demand for “time substitute’’ services working in the UK weren’t enough
is growing rapidly amongst the wealthy. and the City & Guilds awarding body
A prime beneficiary is London’s unveiled a Diploma for Butlers, the
burgeoning army of domestic staff which first such formal qualification for this
includes housekeepers, professional role. The curriculum includes guest
butlers, chefs, governesses, valets, care, housekeeping, valeting and food
groundsmen and PAs.
The Barclays survey claims that
" Is It reasonable to ask your
affluent Londoners are taking such staff
butler to squeeze toothpaste
on to provide the ultimate luxury of more
time with their families, or the freedom
onto your toothbrush to
to pursue leisure activities. Indeed,
save precIous seconds? "
with the pressures of modern living,
who wouldn’t benefit from a sommelier servicing, plus the ins and outs of
on staff, to avoid having to choose a floristry, cleaning guns, and the care
bottle and queue at Threshers? But where of animals and antiques.
do you draw the line? Is it reasonable A full complement of staff requires
to ask your butler to squeeze toothpaste a high disposable income but the surveys
onto your toothbrush to save precious don’t distinguish live-in from live-out:
seconds? It is claimed that Prince only the most wealthy of oenophiles
Charles thought so. would employ a personal sommelier full
According to the Barclays survey, time. Many staff are taken on for shorter
78% of people with liquid assets of over term assignments. Sarah Scarratt at
£1.5m use a chef and 79% employ a butler. All in Hand, which provides chefs and
Another recent survey amongst those waiters to private homes and corporations
earning over £100,000 a year by luxury says: “Our most regular clients are hard
specialist Ledbury Research found that working professionals who like being
5% do actually employ a ‘personal wine looked after with a three course meal
advisor’, whilst 56% employ a cleaner, at home every once in a while.”
29% have a gardener, 16% have a PA, City architect Rob Gluckman chose
8% use a nanny, 5% have a housekeeper to surprise his date with a meal cooked
and 2% have a driver. by a chef and served by a waiter at home
Demand has seen salaries rocket and last year: “I like to cook but I wanted
the availability of the most well qualified to do something different for Valentine’s
domestic staff plummet. In January Day. It elevated the experience and
add lib | 33
butler spread.indd 3 5/3/08 18:12:55
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