Celia Harmston

Head of Private Households & Estates

Meet Celia, the expert behind Leaman Consulting’s Private Household & Estates Desk. With a degree in Primary Education and over 10 years’ experience within the industry she has a deep understanding of candidate quality in private residences. Her caring and professional approach ensures the right fit for you or your principal, whether you need a Housekeeper, Estate/House Manager, Butler, Driver, Chef or Domestic Couple.

Celia is experienced with adhoc roles and welcomes any staffing enquiries – your perfect candidates is just a conversation away.

For a confidential discussion of your needs, you can contact Celia direct at celia@leamanconsulting.com or by calling 020 3006 7888.

 
 

Browse Celia Harmston latest jobs

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£45000.00 - £55000 per annum DOE accommodation

2 x Senior Housekeeper (Live-In & Live-Out) - UHNW Family - St John's Wood, London
Start Date: Mid-End July 2025, the family are looking for at least 1 housekeeper to join ahead of their arrival to ensure the house is ready and set up.
Salary: £45,000-£55,000 DOE living arrangements
Schedule: 5 days a week - the principals are looking for 7 day cover, they are flexible to how the schedule is set between the 2 housekeepers.
For the live-in housekeeper you will have private staff accommodation within the main house including a: private bedroom, sitting room and kitchen, dedicated staff stair access.

An UHNW family relocating from the US is seeking two highly experienced, senior-level housekeepers for their stunning 25,000 sq ft residence in St John's Wood, London. One role is live-in, the other live-out. These are long-term positions in a high level household with luxury furnishings.

The Household:

  • Family of three: principal couple and one teenage son (14)
  • Three adult sons who visit occasionally from college
  • 2 small dogs (Boston Terriers) - must be dog friendly
  • There will also be a maintenance person and chauffeur employed
  • Family moving in early August 2025; onboarding begins mid-July by the families US based House Manager.
  • The principals are highly organised, detail-oriented, and value discretion, efficiency, and strong communication from their household team.


The Property:
A beautifully designed, high-spec home with:

  • 6/7 large bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Specialist rooms including an indoor swimming pool, spa/gym, cinema, and wine cellar
  • State-of-the-art finishes, high-end furnishings, and a significant designer wardrobe


Key Responsibilities:

  • Daily high-level cleaning and care of luxury materials (marble, silk, crystal, antique furniture, art)
  • Laundry and ironing (including delicate and designer items)
  • Wardrobe management: meticulous organisation, labelling, inventory, seasonal rotation, packing/unpacking
  • Working closely with the principal's stylist to maintain clothing systems and cataloguing using apps
  • Running errands, liaising with dry cleaners and suppliers
  • Breakfast, light lunch and occasional dinner support
  • Light pet care (feeding, letting dogs in/out)
  • Occasional babysitting and supervision for teenage son
  • Guest room preparation and support during entertaining


Housekeeper Requirements:

  • Minimum 4 years' experience in UHNW homes with checkable references
  • Up-to-date DBS check
  • Excellent laundry and housekeeping skills, including knowledge of high-end surface/material care
  • Professional, discreet, respectful of boundaries
  • Confident communicator and team player who takes initiative and gives direction when needed
  • Tech-literate and happy to follow or implement clothing inventory/logging systems
  • Flexible, trustworthy, child and pet friendly
  • Happy to wear a uniform at work (provided)


Interview Process:

  • Initial interviews via Zoom with the principals and House Manager, with in person meet mid July.
  • Start: Mid to end of July 2025, ahead of family arrival in early August


*please note that we cannot guarantee a response to every application*

Full Details
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£45000.00 - £52000 per annum DOE

Live-out Housekeeper - Fulham SW6
£45,000-£52,000 GPA (DOE) | Monday to Friday | 9am-5pm | Long-term role
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, no weekends
Start: End of June 2025 (will wait for the right person)
Salary & Benefits:

  • £45,000-£52,000 gross per annum depending on experience
  • 20 days holiday all UK bank holidays off
  • Long-term, secure role with a warm and loyal family


A down to earth family of 4 based in Fulham (SW6) are looking for a friendly and proactive live-out housekeeper to join them on a long term basis at their 4 bed home over 4 floors. Their much loved housekeeper of 8 years is relocating to Spain at the end of June, and they would love to find someone equally loyal and down-to-earth to become part of the family.

The role includes:

  • All housekeeping: cleaning, tidying, laundry, ironing
  • Letting in tradespeople and reporting any repairs or issues
  • Keeping the home organised and running smoothly day-to-day
  • Simple cooking: occasionally following a Mindful Chef recipe for family dinners
  • Ad-hoc errands (very occasionally for the father)
  • Rarely helping with the school-aged children (boy aged 7, girl aged 9) there is a full time nanny employed.
  • Care for 2 well-loved 14-year-old cats

The home is friendly and welcoming, the family are looking for someone who takes pride in their work, is a natural organiser, and is happy to muck in. You'll be trusted to get on with things but will also be very much part of the household.

Essential:

  • Previous private housekeeping experience in a family home
  • Driver with confidence in London
  • Non-smoker
  • Animal & child friendly
  • Friendly, approachable, and looking for a long-term position


*Please note that we cannot guarantee a response to every application*

Full Details
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£50,000 - £60,000

Full-Time Live-Out Housekeeper with very good cooking skills
Hours: Mon–Fri, 11:00–20:00 | Salary: 50K-60K DOE | Start: ASAP
Our returning clients, are seeking a talented Family cook to joint their welcoming, informal household in Chelsea. This is a family of 4 and a friendly Cockapoo! The role is 80% cooking 20% housekeeping.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Plan weekly menus in consultation with the principals
  • Plan and cook healthy, seasonal meals (lunch + dinners) with a preference for Mediterranean/Asian flavours
  • Provide healthy snacks and light bites throughout the day, and as household stock
  • Bake fresh bread regularly for the household and freezer
  • Maintain a clean, well-organised kitchen
  • Prepare weekend meals in advance and cater occasional dinner parties
  • Support with light household duties and errands assisting the housekeeper when needed
  • Occasionally assist with children when parents are out
  • Maintain a proactive, flexible, and helpful approach to ensure the smooth running of the household, especially during busy periods


Ideal Candidate:

  • Experienced in private households
  • Knowledge of nutritious cooking
  • Proactive, trustworthy, and flexible
  • Excellent English and strong communication skills
  • Enhanced DBS, clean driving licence, and checkable references required
  • A more detailed job description can be provided to shortlisted candidates


*Please note that we cannot guarantee a response to every application*

Full Details
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£45000.00 - £50000 per annum DOE

Head Housekeeper in the Cotswolds
Location:
Cotswolds, Nr Moreton-In-Marsh
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum (DOE)
Schedule: Monday to Friday, 9.30am/10am - 5pm. (There is flexibility with working hours, however when in residence the principals would like all staff to finish before 5pm and not start prior to 9am).

The Principals travel frequently, so whilst there is downtime, there will also be the a deep cleaning schedule in place during these periods.

The Principals are a high profile family who value their privacy. They have strong values when it comes to ecology and biodiversity, so it is essential the housekeeper has thorough knowledge of environmentally friendly cleaning practices utilising environmentally friendly, non toxic cleaning products at all times.

The property is a large new-build property, due for completion in August 2025. It has been built to an exceptionally high standard sent in a wonderful countryside setting.
Initially you will be the sole-housekeeper joining a small friendly team of approximately 5 staff including a chef, estate manager, gardener and PA. As the estate develops with the planned addition of a guest house and further residence on site there will be scope for an additional housekeeper or the cleaners for which the head housekeeper will be responsible.

There is a wonderful dedicated staff area, where you can take your breaks. This includes its own entrance along with kitchen, bathroom and lounge area.

Responsibilities & duties include:
- Perform daily cleaning tasks including dusting, vacuuming, mopping all surfaces.
- Launder clothing and linen. (No ironing required!)
- Coordinate with Estate Manager to ensure household supplies are well-stocked.
- Manage deliveries.
- Maintain organisation and cleanliness throughout the home, highlighting any maintenance or DIY issues to the Estate Manager.
- Manage bins, recycling, and dishwashing duties.
- Undertaking deep cleaning tasks during downtime.
- Care for house plants and arrange fresh flowers from deliveries.
- Provide attentive care to luxury and specialist materials and ensure eco-friendly cleaning practices are followed.

Requirements:
- Previous experience as a Housekeeper in a similar private household environment.
- Discretion is essential. Both principals are high profile individuals, however they like to maintain a high degree of privacy when home.
- Ability to work independently and prioritise tasks efficiently.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Discretion and professionalism when dealing with sensitive information and household matters.
- Familiarity with eco-friendly cleaning products and practices preferred.
- Strong communication skills and ability to liaise effectively with other staff and the principals.

Benefits:
- 45-50k salary
- Discretional annual bonus
- Annual salary review
- Onsite parking
- 25 days holiday
- Flexibility around working hours (to accommodate childcare etc).

*Please note that we cannot guarantee a response to every application*

Full Details
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£55000 - £60000 per annum DOE

Full-Time Live-Out Chef / Household Assistant - Chelsea, SW3
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11:00-20:00 | Salary: 55K-60K DOE | Start: ASAP
Our returning clients, are seeking a talented Chef to joint their welcoming, informal household in Chelsea. This is a family of 4 and a friendly Cockapoo! The role is 80% chef 20% household assistant.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Plan weekly menus in consultation with the principals
  • Plan and cook healthy, seasonal meals (lunch dinners) with a preference for Mediterranean/Asian flavours
  • Provide healthy snacks and light bites throughout the day, and as household stock
  • Bake fresh bread regularly for the household and freezer
  • Maintain a clean, well-organised kitchen
  • Prepare weekend meals in advance and cater occasional dinner parties
  • Support with light household duties and errands assisting the housekeeper when needed
  • Occasionally assist with children when parents are out
  • Maintain a proactive, flexible, and helpful approach to ensure the smooth running of the household, especially during busy periods


Ideal Candidate:

  • Experienced in private households
  • Passionate about fresh, nutritious cooking
  • Proactive, trustworthy, and flexible
  • Excellent English and strong communication skills
  • Enhanced DBS, clean driving licence, and checkable references required
  • A more detailed job description can be provided to shortlisted candidates


*Please note that we cannot guarantee a response to every application*

Full Details
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 €60,000 per year (joint)

Live-in Domestic Couple – West Greece
Start Date: Beginning of May (handover with existing couple before)
Salary: €60,000 per year (joint)
Accommodation: Private, fully furnished 1-bedroom apartment (3-minute walk from main house)
Hours: Periods of full-time work when the family is in residence, followed by shorter hours when not in residence.
Benefits: Up to 8 weeks annual leave

An experienced live-in domestic couple is sought for a large private residence in the picturesque mountain village of Papingo, Greece. The property is a newly built 800 sqm home, serving as a second winter residence for a young family with two children. The family resides in Athens and visit during the winter months including Christmas & Easter and will be rarely used during the Summer. While in residence, they bring their other staff including nannies and cook, and they have two dogs that accompany them.

Requirements:

  • Previous experience working in a similar role in private households or estates
  • Fluent English (Greek or other languages a plus)
  • Must have an EU passport/right to work in the EU
  • Must be comfortable with an autonomous role and part-time residence of principals
  • No dependants (small rural village, no schools nearby)
  • Child-friendly and pet-friendly
  • Strong references required


Responsibilities:

  • All high level cleaning, laundry, ironing, and basic cooking
  • Managing small household expenses (supermarket shopping, household supplies)
  • General house maintenance & basic DIY tasks
  • Overseeing the garden and liaising with external gardeners and contractors
  • Tech-savvy (comfortable handling new technology and smart home systems)
  • Managing and maintaining two swimming pools
  • Driving (car provided for errands and personal use)


The Role:

  • The couple will work independently, ensuring the home is well-maintained and ready for the family’s visits
  • Flexibility is required to accommodate the family’s varying schedule
  • When the family is not in residence, the couple will have more personal time and will be trusted to undertake their tasks in a timely manner


This is an excellent opportunity for a professional couple seeking a long-term role in a stunning rural location. The current couple, who are Greek, are leaving due to the isolated setting, so applicants should be comfortable living in a small village.

*Please note that we cannot guarantee a response to every application*

Full Details