Philippa Smith

Spear’s Review

Philippa Smith founded Silver Swan Recruitment in 2013 with a simple aim: to find ‘the best hospitality professionals for the most luxurious residences all over the world’.

Silver Swan initially sourced domestic staff for luxury ski chalets, then moved into permanent residences and yachts as word spread of its ability to find hospitality professionals for very exacting clients. Smith says 60 per cent of business is through recommendations or returning clients, and the firm now has offices in London, Miami and Dubai.

Smith thinks the key is spending time with clients to pin down their requirements. She says: ‘When we’re recommended, [new clients] tell us: “They said to go to Silver Swan; but look out, they’ll want an hour and a half of your time.”’