Creating Our Legacy

Over the past thousand years, the profession of the Butler has been shaped by a sacred tradition, a lineage of knowledge and skill passed from one generation to the next. Each new Butler has sought not merely to emulate those who came before, but to elevate the standards, values, and spirit of service that define our noble craft.

Our industry stands proudly on the foundation of history and the unwavering professionalism we embody.
As time has evolved, so too has our profession.

Today, interpretations of what it means to be a Butler vary, and the clarity of our original purpose risks being blurred by the demands and expectations of modern life.

We cannot change the past, but we can shape the future.
If we are to preserve the integrity of our craft, we must commit to becoming role models, inspiring the next generation with the standards, discipline, and values that have long been the hallmarks of our profession.

Each of us holds the power to define and protect our legacy.

By cultivating the right mindset, mastering essential skills, and demonstrating behaviours that are valued and cherished, we ensure that the timeless spirit of the Butler endures, ever evolving, yet never compromised.

Steven Ferry: Founder, The International Institute of Modern Butlers

Honorary Member, writerand Luxury Trainer, The Master Butler

Why I became a Butler

The horizons of the profession are broad and the skillsets required equally so, meaning there is much growth and challenge to be experienced personally; as the saying goes, “Being a butler is a life-long learning experience”and this is what attracted me to the profession initially like a bee to nectar. I was fortunate enough to have had a first-class education in multiple disciplines during which I came to appreciate the finer things of life that are the woof and warp** of life as a butler.

The satisfaction has not been just in interacting with others as a manager, employee, or service provider who bears witness to and helps facilitate others’ lives, over time becoming a symbiote* for them, but in maintaining a high standard of living and orchestrating, efficiently and aesthetically and generally behind the scenes, happy occasions large and small for one and all. It is an honour to be of use to others, meaning life as a butler has proven to be as pleasing as it promised in those early days so pregnant with hope and excitement.

* The essential element of any structure, taken from the technology of weaving, in which the woof (the threads that run across a fabric) and the warp (that run vertically) combine to make the fabric.

* Interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.

Josephine Ives: Founder, Magnums Academy

Honorary Member, writer and Luxury Trainer, The Master Butler

Why I became a Butler - My Reflection

I became a butler quite unexpectedly. One day, a client called my catering company in urgent need of a butler, did we have one available? Without hesitation, I said yes. And so, my journey began. As fate would have it, I was blessed in more ways than one.

Firstly, my father had been a butler. I was raised in a household where butlering wasn’t a mystery—it was part of our everyday life. You could say it was in my DNA. Secondly, I had a remarkable mentor instantly on hand. That very Saturday afternoon, I had a three-hour crash course in the fundamentals of butlering—delivered by none other than my father himself. By that evening, I was on the job.

The third blessing? I discovered I was "to the manor born." I absolutely loved the role. What’s not to love? Eighteen-hour days, six or seven days a week, surrounded by beauty and refinement—and the immense satisfaction of serving at the highest level. I had an epiphany: if one cannot afford to live in luxury, one might as well work in it.

What captivated me most was the attention to detail and the deeply holistic nature of the butler's role. It calls upon so many different skills—culinary, aesthetic, managerial—and allows one to orchestrate service with finesse. There is a true artistry in this profession. The simplest tasks—presenting a perfectly pressed shirt, setting a breathtaking table, or turning down a bed with quiet precision—can offer tremendous satisfaction. Beauty, indeed, lies in the eye of the beholder.

My background helped too. I trained as an apprentice chef, qualified, and pursued a teaching certificate, along with a vocational hairdressing course—which, surprisingly, has proven useful on numerous occasions. Ironically, my mother had taken the same chef training and later also became a butler.

Would I change any part of this path? Absolutely not. Today, as a trainer and mentor to the next generation of butlers, I continue to find purpose. Witnessing students blossom into professionals who carry our standards forward—that is a blessing in itself.

Wayne Fitzharris: `The Professional British Butler School

Joint Founder of Master Butler Collection, Luxury Trainer and visionary

How I became a Butler

A Journey into Private Service: Serving the Hashemite Royal Family of Jordan

It began not with a grand plan, but with a quiet invitation, an opportunity that found me rather than one I had sought.

My journey into private service, and ultimately into the privileged role of Butler and House Manager to Their Majesties, King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan, unfolded through a series of moments that would forever shape my life and character.

At the time, I was concluding a chapter in Scotland, deeply rooted in the traditions of luxury hospitality and service. I carried with me the training of a chef, a meticulous knowledge of health and safety, and extensive experience in guest relations and training. Then came a call from Nina Bennett Johnson, a woman of grace and exquisite discretion. She spoke of a prestigious opportunity in the Middle East, though the details remained cloaked in confidentiality. "I cannot tell you who it is for," she said. Still, I applied.

After an extensive and demanding selection process, I was finally entrusted with the revelation: the position was to serve the Royal Household of Jordan. I arrived in Amman, the majestic capital of the Hashemite Kingdom, in September, and by December, I had accepted the honour. What followed was a life-altering chapter from 1992 to 1995, serving as both Personal Butler and Royal Palace Manager. Together with a small, dedicated team, I helped oversee the state functions, private affairs, and daily life of one of the world’s most revered royal families.

At the heart of this chapter were two extraordinary individuals who would become my mentors in profoundly complementary ways.

The Palace Director, Mr. Ramzi Masarweh, an American Jordanian gentleman with roots between Lebanon, Jordan, and California, became a guiding force in both my professional and personal evolution. He taught me empathy, not as a soft virtue, but as a commanding strength. He believed in leading by empowering others, achieving greatness through people, not despite them. Under his stewardship, I learned the art of quiet strength, and that true leadership rests upon humility, grace, and unwavering purpose.

Alongside him stood the formidable Head Housekeeper, Lieisa Segovia, a proud and exacting German woman whose career had been shaped at the iconic Waldorf Astoria in New York. Lieisa instilled in me a discipline of the highest order. Her standards were uncompromising, her expectations elevated. To her, nothing was ever enough, and she was right. There was always a refinement to be made, a detail to perfect. While others found her directness daunting, I embraced her mentorship, recognising in her an architect of excellence.

Between Ramzi and Lieisa, I found a powerful equilibrium. Ramzi imparted empathy, Lieisa instilled precision, and in their contrasting strengths, I discovered the pillars upon which true service is built. Service, I realised, is a profound act of humanity, artistry, and purpose.

Together, Ramzi and I elevated the standards of service with deliberate grace. Through continuous learning and shared commitment, we found ways to bring joy to Their Majesties and their esteemed guests. We trained our butlers to move in perfect unison, ensuring that every interaction, every service gesture, was seamless, graceful, and imbued with dignity.

We had the honour of serving the world’s most distinguished leaders, including presidents, kings, queens, and prime ministers from every corner of the globe. Our days would shift from the grandeur of official state business to the intimacy of private family life in the blink of an eye. In every moment, we proudly showcased the heart of Jordanian hospitality, offering sophisticated service that reflected the Kingdom’s warmth, traditions, and enduring values. It was hospitality at its finest, a beautiful dance of elegance and authenticity that made every Jordanian proud.

Whilst all of this unfolded, it was our team who stood at the very centre of this extraordinary service journey. They were pivotal in every success we achieved. Ramzi, with his innate wisdom, ensured that the welfare, care, and happiness of our team were never overlooked. He believed deeply that happy staff create happy guests, and every gesture, every decision, reflected this philosophy. By nurturing a culture of respect, kindness, and professional pride, we created an environment where excellence thrived naturally, where each individual felt valued and inspired to deliver their very best.

Training, developing systems, and continuously improving our standards were central pillars of our approach. We understood that empowering our people meant giving them the tools, the confidence, and the knowledge to succeed. Through bespoke training sessions, refinements of our service protocols, and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth, we built a culture where excellence was not demanded, but inspired from within.

We elevated Jordanian hospitality into a beacon of elegance, warmth, and refined tradition, welcoming heads of state and lifelong friends of the Crown alike with the utmost reverence.

And amidst the formal grandeur, there were deeply human moments that revealed the soul of true service. I shall never forget Christmas of 1992, when Lieisa Segovia, despite her stern exterior, welcomed me, a stranger in a foreign land, into her home. She offered me gifts, shared her table, and reminded me that Christmas was not merely a ritual, but a celebration of friendship and belonging. That moment remains etched in my heart.

To serve His Majesty King Hussein, an extraordinary sovereign, beloved by his people, was the highest honour of my life. A direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed, His Majesty carried a natural dignity, a wisdom anchored in humility, and a warmth that transcended ceremony. His safety was our solemn duty, his happiness our profound reward.

Though my title was Manager, I was above all a student of life, a servant of grace, and a guardian of discretion. I became a butler not merely by role, but by spirit, through experience, humility, and the quiet teachings of those who came before me.

To this day, I carry their lessons forward. They are not simply memories of prestige, but guiding principles, essential truths for all who seek to serve with honour, excellence, and soul. So I accidently became a Butler because I had to lead every service and share every technical skill, we served with a strong foundation of purpose and values.

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Robin Stuart: Exceeding Expectations

Joint Founder of Master Butler Collection, Luxury Trainer and once our Chairman

I am passionate about service that comes from the heart and consistently exceeds expectations.

With over 40 years of management experience in the hospitality industry, I have loved every moment of my journey. My introduction to the world of butling came about quite unexpectedly. I was headhunted for an interview in Washington D.C. for the role of Butler to the family of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Although the role was ultimately offered to another candidate with formal butler training, the experience sparked something in me.

Intrigued and inspired, I began researching the profession and enrolled in The Guild of Professional English Butlers’ training programme, led by the esteemed Robert Watson. To my delight, I found that many of the skills and disciplines I had mastered in the hotel world were highly transferable to private service. I completed the training successfully and stepped into a new, deeply fulfilling chapter of my career.

Trust and confidentiality quickly revealed themselves as the cornerstone values of the butler and house management profession. As my career evolved, I was fortunate to hold positions where maintaining these standards was paramount.

My first post as a butler was in Oxfordshire, serving a prominent family in the food and beverage industry. This provided me with an excellent foundation in the traditions of a classic English household. From there, I accepted a role based in Austria, which involved extensive travel with the principal to residences across the globe. This position broadened my perspective and offered insight into the nuances of European household operations.

In my most recent appointment, I was entrusted with overseeing the full internal operations of a private family palace in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with occasional assignments in Jeddah. I led a team of over 160 multinational staff, ensuring the highest standards of service were consistently delivered to the family and their guests.

Following my tenure in KSA, I pursued a teaching qualification to formally transition into training and mentorship. This led to the creation of my personal training venture, Exceeding Expectations. Through this, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my knowledge, skills, and experience with aspiring professionals across the hospitality industry—helping them discover how to truly exceed guest expectations.

Training assignments have taken me across the world, including London, Riyadh, Las Vegas, PR China, Tokyo, Singapore, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, and Mexico—each enriching my perspective and sharpening my approach.

As Oscar Wilde so aptly put it: "I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best."

Rajnikanth Subramanian: Trainer: Royal Indian Butler

Trainer with the Master Butler Collection, Caribbean Trainer

My Butler Journey

Full of energy, I wasn’t content with doing just one thing. I wanted to learn everything. Whether it was service, setup, or storytelling at the table, I thrived on giving guests more than what they expected. That mindset quickly set me apart.

One day, a senior manager took notice. He saw something in me, a spark, and hand-selected me to join a rare team: the Executive Club, a luxury “hotel within a hotel” built exclusively for VIPs, UNWI guests, and dignitaries. This was not just a promotion, it was a test of versatility, grace under pressure, and the art of delivering excellence across departments. I passed, not just with skill, but with soul.

There, I wasn’t just a server. I was a host, a barista, a concierge, and a problem-solver. I became known not just for efficiency, but for turning ordinary moments into lasting memories. Soon, I rose through the ranks and found myself in India’s top-tier hotels, but I knew I was meant for more.

My defining moment came when I was chosen for the pre-opening team of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, widely considered one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. It was here that my world changed forever. I was entrusted with the care of the Royal and Presidential Suites, serving the most elite clientele on the planet, global leaders, royalty, billionaires, and celebrities. My attention to detail, discretion, and emotional intelligence helped me build trust in the most exclusive spaces imaginable.

It was during this time I met Mr. Robert Watson, President of the Guild of Professional English Butlers. Recognizing my natural alignment with the Guild’s values of excellence, he named me a founding member, a title I wear with pride to this day. That honour opened international doors, and I stepped through them with both humility and hunger.

From there, I joined Radisson Cruise Lines (now Regent), where I brought my land-based precision to the high seas. I sailed the world while managing elite guest experiences. Soon after, I was invited to lead butler operations for Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, and later launched an iconic Personal Concierge Program at Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos, a concept that is still celebrated today.

My vision for service evolved. With Silversea Cruises, I helped introduce a bold new idea: “A Butler for Everyone,” a concept that reshaped luxury cruising by making elite service accessible to all suite guests. The model became a global benchmark, adopted and admired across the industry.

But something inside me called me back to my roots. I wanted to give back. I returned to India and founded the Royal Indian Butler School, a dream turned mission. I began training the next generation of butlers, housekeepers, and service professionals, helping them find international placements and transform their lives, just as mine had been transformed.

My journey through the Caribbean continued to flourish with extensive experience across some of the region’s most ultra-luxury hotels and resorts, each refining my understanding of service at the highest level. Notably, I served as Director of Rooms at the renowned Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands, where I helped redefine guest experience at one of the world’s most legendary resorts.

I have now worked in or trained teams across more than thirty world-class hotels, resorts, and cruise lines. My career has taken me from Dubai to the Caribbean, from India to the high seas. Today, I reside in Grenada, where I serve as a Director for Radiance Investment Group, helping shape luxury standards across hospitality, aviation, real estate, and beyond.

Looking back, I realize I didn’t just become a butler. I became a creator of unforgettable moments. A guardian of grace. A mentor for those who dare to dream beyond borders. And after decades in this craft, my passion hasn’t faded. It has only grown stronger.

Paul Vincent Benedict Brown `White Glove Global Consultancy

Royal Trainer and Master Butler

How I Became a Butler - A Journey in Service: From Windsor to the World

In 1984, as a young General Assistant at a modest hotel in Windsor, the spark that would ignite a lifelong devotion to the art of service was first kindled. Evenings spent captivated by the celebrated series Upstairs, Downstairs awakened within me a deep, restless curiosity, a yearning that grew stronger with every step past the towering walls of Windsor Castle, wondering what traditions, excellence, and quiet grandeur might lie beyond its gates.

Two years later, by chance or perhaps destiny, a small, inconspicuous advertisement in the local newspaper caught my eye:

"Under Butler Required for Large Berkshire Home. P.O. Box."
Though I had little reason to believe I would succeed, I submitted an application, meticulously composed with the help of a dictionary, motivated not by confidence, but by an unquenchable hunger for experience.

Some weeks later, to my astonishment, a letter arrived offering me the role of Junior Footman at Buckingham Palace. I attended the interview with no real expectation. To me, simply setting foot inside such a world, even briefly, would be an experience beyond price. I arrived far too early, though I have always believed that early is a virtue far greater than punctuality.

Escorted through the Palace’s labyrinthine basements, I ascended back stairways and crossed a vast, echoing ballroom before arriving at the Master’s Corridor, where wide, regal hallways and towering doors whispered of centuries of tradition. There, seated outside the imposing office of Sir Michael Timms, I waited, heart pounding, the air thick with anticipation.

When summoned inside, I found myself before a man of great presence, seated behind a desk of formidable proportions. For the next forty-five minutes, we spoke, not merely of duties and protocols, but of a philosophy of service, of the delicate, enduring balance between tradition and progress. It was less an interview than an invitation, a glimpse into a world few are privileged to enter.

As I left the Palace that day, I was awestruck. Not by the expectation of a job offer, but by the honour of having stepped momentarily into a realm built on excellence, dignity, and purpose.

Some weeks later, the letter arrived, formalising my appointment. It was the beginning of an extraordinary journey, one that would carry me from the hallowed halls of Windsor to the grandest estates and palaces around the globe.

For the next six years, I lived and breathed the traditions of Royal Service, travelling on Royal Tours, serving aboard the Royal Train and the Royal Yacht, and working across all Royal Residences. I was fulfilled beyond measure, never imagining that one day I would seek a path beyond the Palace walls.

And yet, fate intervened. In November of my final year, I was unexpectedly invited to interview for a private butler role in Los Angeles. Initially hesitant, the allure of a business class flight and the Californian sunshine proved too tempting. What began as a weekend adventure became a life-altering chapter. The interview was a triumph and even an audacious salary request was accepted without hesitation. Thus began four extraordinary years in service to Mr. Aaron Spelling, a world as demanding and exacting as the Court, yet one of an entirely different glamour.

From that moment forward, my career blossomed into a global odyssey. I went on to serve as Estate Manager, House Manager, Operations Manager, and Palace Manager across numerous continents, entrusted with some of the most distinguished private estates and royal households in the world, including landmark appointments across the Middle East.

In 2008, after relocating to Thailand, I turned my focus to luxury hospitality, setting my sights on the coveted role of General Manager. Beginning as Director of Guest Services, I rose steadily through the ranks, eventually achieving that goal as General Manager of an exclusive private island resort in the Maldives.

During this time, I founded White Glove Global Consultancy, a personal venture dedicated to the refinement, training, and elevation of butlers and service professionals across private residences, luxury hotels, and elite resorts worldwide.

Today, with over four decades of experience behind me, and I trust, many fulfilling years ahead, I remain devoted to the principles that first lit the fire within me: discretion, dedication, excellence, and the relentless pursuit of mastery.

Though I am a steadfast guardian of tradition, I am equally a champion of thoughtful evolution, finding great joy in mentoring the next generation, those who, like I once did, carry a boundless curiosity and reverence for the timeless art of service at its highest level.

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KURT CAMPBELL `HONORARY MEMBER