Belinda Hunt is the Principal and Course Director of The London Academy for Household Staff. Working closely with a team of specialist tutors, she advises on, and arranges tailor-made training in private houses for staff whose skills and professionalism need developing. She also teaches one-to-one sessions for specific skill enhancement, and runs courses for Butlers and Housekeepers which take place regularly throughout the year. Belinda travels extensively around the UK and overseas to deliver this training. A qualified teacher and cook, who has employed staff as well as having done all the jobs herself, Belinda loves inspiring her students and making a difference to all the households that she works in.
The London Academy for Household Staff has a team of experienced specialist tutors who we use according to your training need. All are expert professionals, the "crème de la crème", hand-picked for their vast knowledge and experience of working in private service, be it on country estates, in royal palaces and ambassadorial residences in the UK and overseas, on super yachts or in luxury hotels. They are also excellent teachers, offering an insight into private service with interesting facts, figures and fun!
Jane Urquhart spent over 20 years working with clients and staff in private households, having founded Greycoat Placements in 1996, and more recently Jane Urquhart Staffing Limited in 2010. She now owns and runs five beautiful holiday cottages in East Devon, and though retired from private household recruitment and training, she is always on the end of the telephone, should the need arise, to share her extensive knowledge and experience of all matters relating to private service and household management.
Press Features
My father often tells an anecdote about Lady Astor spotting that her butler was rather the worse for drink while serving at a dinner party attended by Neville Chamberlain. She called the butler over and scribbled a note, which read: “You’re drunk. Kindly leave the room.” She handed him the note. The butler smiled, bowed, and, placing the card on a silver salver, walked to the other end of the table and proceeded to hand the note to the Prime Minister, stopping him in mid-flow regaling the table with his latest meeting with Hitler. Read more .......
Press Features
Polishing is overrated Wood needs polishing only once a year (use natural beeswax rather than silicone polish). The rest of the time, simply buff it vigorously with a lint-free cloth. Remove sticky fingerprints with a drop of diluted white vinegar.
