Staffing up after the holidays: setting the stage for a successful year

As the festive season fades into the background and the world gets back to normal, the time following the holidays presents an ideal opportunity to re-evaluate your staffing needs. Whether you are a high-net-worth individual managing a busy household, a business leader keen to ensure your company runs smoothly, or a yacht owner preparing for a season of luxury cruising, the New Year is a time of fresh beginnings and renewed focus. Ensuring that you have the right people in place to meet your operational demands – whether at home, in the office, or on board – can set the tone for a successful and productive year ahead.

At 19 London, we understand that the period following the holiday season is a strategic window for making changes and enhancements to your team. By refining your staffing requirements now, you can start the year as you mean to go on, with a workforce perfectly aligned to your current circumstances and future goals. Our core divisions – including PA & Corporate, Private Household, and Yacht Crew – each provide tailored staffing solutions designed to cater to your unique needs, no matter how complex or specialised they may be.

Why the post-holiday period is the ideal time to recruit

As everyone settles back into their routines, the first quarter of the year offers something of a clean slate. The pace of business picks up, households re-establish their daily patterns, and future plans start to take shape. For many, the break in the annual calendar has provided a chance to reflect on what worked well over the past year and what could be improved. Whether it’s stepping up efficiency in your corporate office, finding greater stability in household management, or ensuring your yacht is fully staffed for the upcoming cruising season, this is the perfect time to take action.

This seasonal lull before the busier months ahead allows for careful consideration of roles, responsibilities, and candidate profiles. Candidates themselves are often open to fresh opportunities at this time, having re-evaluated their own career paths over the break. By starting the recruitment process early, you increase the likelihood of securing top talent well before the year’s peak demands begin to roll in.

Building efficiency and support in PA & Corporate roles

For many businesses and private offices, the start of the year is a time to streamline operations and set targets for the months ahead. Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants, Office Managers, and other corporate support staff form the backbone of these efforts, ensuring that leaders can focus on strategic objectives rather than day-to-day administration.

After the holiday period, you may have noticed gaps in your current structure or areas where proactive support could make a substantial difference. Perhaps your executive team needs more robust diary management, or you are planning to expand operations and need administrative specialists to handle increased workloads. Maybe you have identified the value of having a dedicated Events Manager to organise professional functions or a Bookkeeper to keep finances in perfect order.

Sourcing high-calibre PA & Corporate staff at this juncture will help you begin the new year with the assurance that your office is running at maximum efficiency. With 19 London, you gain access to an extensive network of talented professionals who have been rigorously vetted. From receptionists and team assistants to Chiefs of Staff and EAs, we can match you with the ideal candidate who will bring a renewed sense of organisation and professionalism to your environment.

Re-establishing household harmony with private staff

The holidays can place exceptional demands on a household, with entertaining, family visits, and special events often highlighting where additional support might be beneficial. Once these festive pressures ease, it’s a good time to take stock of your private household staffing structure. Are you confident that the year ahead will run as smoothly as possible, with every detail managed behind the scenes?

From experienced House Managers and meticulous Housekeepers to Private Chefs crafting bespoke menus and Chauffeurs ensuring safe, discreet transport, high-quality private staff can transform the daily running of a home. Nannies, Governesses, and Private Tutors can also support the educational and developmental needs of your children, reinforcing routines and providing expert guidance.

Ensuring that your household team is balanced, reliable, and adaptable will not only restore harmony after the holiday hustle but also set the tone for the coming months. By investing in the right household staff now, you pave the way for year-round ease, comfort, and peace of mind. 19 London’s Private Household division is here to assist you in identifying and recruiting exceptional professionals whose skills and personalities seamlessly complement your lifestyle and values.

Preparing your yacht for the seasons ahead

Whether you own a super yacht that hosts exclusive gatherings or a vessel primarily used for family escapes, ensuring it is fully crewed and ready for upcoming voyages is vital. The post-holiday period may mean fewer guests on board, providing a calm interlude to assess your crew structure and prepare for future cruising schedules.

Now is the time to consider whether additional or more specialised yacht crew members could enhance the onboard experience. Perhaps you require a new Chief Stewardess to elevate service standards, a Chef with the culinary finesse to surprise and delight guests, or a Deckhand with the requisite technical skills and adaptability. With maritime regulations evolving and guest expectations continually increasing, having a versatile, well-trained, and dedicated crew is more crucial than ever.

19 London’s Yacht Crew division provides access to an international network of MLC-certified professionals, from Captains and Officers to Interior Crew, Chefs, and Engineers. By recruiting during the quieter months, you give your new crew members the chance to settle in, familiarise themselves with the vessel’s systems and aesthetics, and unify as a cohesive team before the next peak season begins.

Adapting to changing roles and responsibilities

One of the main advantages of recruiting after the holidays is the chance to adapt your team to shifting roles and responsibilities. Changes in your personal or professional life throughout the previous year may have altered what you now need from your staff. Perhaps you have invested in a new property or are expecting more frequent travel for business or leisure. This may mean a greater need for administrative support, flexible household staff, or additional crew members who can handle extended voyages.

The key is to be proactive rather than reactive. By anticipating future requirements and recruiting the right professionals now, you can ensure seamless transitions, avoid disruptions, and create a work environment – be it on land or at sea – that supports growth, stability, and success.

Partnering with a trusted recruitment agency

The recruitment process itself can be time-consuming and complex. Identifying suitable candidates, verifying their credentials, and ensuring they are the right cultural fit for your environment is no small task. Partnering with a specialised agency like 19 London streamlines this process and ensures that your requirements are fully understood and addressed by a dedicated consultant.

Our approach at 19 London involves more than just placing candidates. We take the time to understand your values, aspirations, and long-term objectives. Drawing on our extensive global network, we present you with a carefully selected shortlist of candidates who match your criteria in terms of skill, experience, and personality. By managing every stage of the recruitment journey – from initial consultation through to offer negotiations – we help you secure the talent you need for a smoother, more successful year.

Setting the standard for the year ahead

The quiet period that follows the holiday season is your opportunity to lay the foundations for a productive and fulfilling year. By reassessing your staffing needs in January and February, you can ensure that your business is equipped to support ambitious objectives, your household team is capable of sustaining a gracious, well-run home, and your yacht crew are ready to deliver exceptional service on the open seas.

At 19 London, we appreciate that every client’s circumstances are unique. Our mission is to align you with the professionals who best complement your operational requirements and personal ethos. In doing so, we help you enter the new year not just refreshed and organised, but with the confidence that you are fully staffed for whatever opportunities and challenges lie ahead.