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 - £50000 per annum

Live-Out Housekeeper - Private Household, Central London W1
£45,000 - £50,000 GPA | Full-Time | Permanent | Start: Late August 2025

We are seeking a hardworking, service oriented Housekeeper with a positive, can do attitude for our UHNW clients. You will be a key part of the housekeeping team, ensuring this immaculate 7 bedroom, 3 floor home (with lift) runs seamlessly.

Days & Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 9:00am - 8:30pm with a 1-hour break daily (Fri & Sat off)
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 GPA, depending on experience

Key Responsibilities:

  • All general housekeeping duties (cleaning, tidying, laundry, ironing)
  • Guest service: serving meals & drinks, clearing, and resetting
  • On Sundays light cooking (e.g. grilled salmon, breakfasts)
  • Coordinating with the rest of the household team to ensure smooth daily operation
  • Familiarity with high standards of presentation, discretion, and professionalism
  • Comfortable supporting and interacting with guests during dinners or events


The Ideal Candidate Will Be:

  • Warm, friendly, and proactive and works well as part of a team
  • Highly experienced in similar private households with excellent references
  • Confident in providing informal meal service and working around guests
  • Able to follow household manuals and work within a structured, well organised environment
  • Discreet and respectful of the family's privacy and routines

  • This is a fully staffed and structured household, run like clockwork with established systems and manuals
  • Considerable downtime/time off during summer holidays and school half terms
  • The family is looking for a committed, long-term housekeeper who will take pride in their role


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

Full Details
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£23 - £25 per hour (gross)


Live out Housekeeper required 3 days a week for a fully staffed home in Holland Park. This is a newly renovated 5 bed family home with 2 adults and 2 children. There are other staff employed including a chef, nannies, and private PA. The role is to start as soon as the family find the right person!

Hours: Mon/Wed/Fri 8.30am/9am - 5pm
Salary: £23-25 gross per hour

It is essential that the housekeeper has experience in UHNW households, handling fine fabrics, furniture and valuables. someone incredibly trustworthy who has shown longevity in previous roles. The housekeeper needs to be confident, with an eye for detail and who takes pride and care in their work.
Professional but informal personality with fluent spoken English.

Duties:

  • All general housekeeping duties, cleaning, laundry, maintaining organised cupboards/wardrobes.
  • The family are looking for a housekeeper with initiative and a collaborative attitude who is happy to run occasional errands (i.e. nipping out to pick up small amounts of groceries, drop off/pick up dry cleaning etc. There are grocers, butchers, dry cleaners etc. all within a 5 minute walk from the property).
  • Maintaining marble and natural stone etc
  • Flagging any maintenance issues to the Private PA or arranging directly with gardener/handy man where appropriate.
  • Allowing access to guests of family and tradesmen etc.
  • Always ensuring that the property is presentable and ready for the family to arrive at short notice.
  • The family are based between London, Edinburgh and Los Angeles so there will be periods where house is vacant allowing the housekeeper to get on top of deep cleaning, organising etc.

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

Full Details
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€70,000 to €80,000 GPA

Our friendly and welcoming client is looking for a dynamic, passionate and dedicated couple to run their beautiful equestrian estate in the Irish countryside. The estate includes a beautiful 800sqm home, stables with horses, dogs, and lovely gardens and grounds. The ideal couple will take pride and enjoyment from their role as a domestic couple.

Roles and Responsibilities to include:

Housekeeper/Interior:
- Maintain the pristine condition of the home with high-level cleaning and presentation akin to a hotel standard.
- Attention to detail in tasks such as ironing, laundry, bed changing, and towel folding.
- Discretion and respect for privacy within the home. 
- Overseeing the dogs during the day if the owner goes out and dog sitting when owners are away.
- Keep inventories of household supplies ensuring a good level of stock at all times.

Groundsman/Estate Maintenance:
- Care for the grounds and gardens, including sweeping leaves, lawn maintenance, hedges, weeding, strimming and tidying (there is a gardener who comes once a week in summer and when needed in Winter)
- Mucking out, feeding and general care for the horses. (In-depth training will be given for the horses)
- Looking after all animals on the estate when the owners are away.
- General estate maintenance including paddock checks, fencing, water supply management, and building upkeep.
- Basic vehicle upkeep and cleaning, occasional driving, and monitoring and setting the estate CCTV, alarm & security systems.
- Maintenance and upkeep of estate machinery.
-Proactive approach to tasks and pride in maintaining the estate's high standards.
- Firewood maintenance

Candidate requirements:
- Pride in your work and a proactive attitude.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative without constant supervision.
- Genuine enjoyment and comfort around animals, particularly horses and dogs.
- Must enjoy a countryside setting and lifestyle.
- Previous experience in similar roles preferred.
- Discreet and respectful of privacy, with excellent boundaries.
- Flexibility to adjust schedules when hosting guests or traveling.
- DBS check and excellent references required.
- Driving licence
- You must have checkable references and a clear and recent DBS check.

Accommodation and Benefits:
- Accommodation provided in a charming 3-bedroom gatehouse on the estate which is fully furnished. 
- Car provided for the couple to use
- Competitive combined salary of €80K with discretionary yearly bonus. Overtime or time in lieu for extra hours worked.

Job Vacancy: Domestic Couple
Location: West Wicklow, Ireland (50 mins from Dublin towards the Wicklow Mountains)
Position: Domestic Couple (Housekeeper /Manager + Groundsman/Estate Maintenance)
Hours: Full time, 5 days a week 9am – 5pm with flexibility if guests are staying.


*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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 €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