Welcome to Anything But Ordinary
In this episode, Zoe speaks with Philippa Smith, founder of Silver Swan Recruitment, for a deep dive into the extraordinary world of private staffing and the realities of building a luxury recruitment brand.
Philippa’s journey into recruitment began unexpectedly after a ski season, but it quickly became a career defined by resilience, reinvention, and an unwavering commitment to service.
Today, she leads one of the sector’s most recognisable agencies, known for placing exceptional talent in households and estates around the world.
Zoe and Philippa explore what makes private staffing so unique, the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry, and the mindset required to build a trusted recruitment business.
Philippa opens up about running out of money after losing a huge client and how it forced her to restructure for the better, as well as the importance of surrounding yourself with people you trust.
They also discuss industry-wide themes from the power of collaboration to the rise of deposits in recruitment, the evolving role of AI, and why personal branding matters more than ever.
This conversation is full of practical insights for agency owners, recruiters, and anyone curious about the unseen world of private staffing.
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Zoe Jackson's Links:
https://shireandwoldstaffing.com
https://shireandwoldstaffing.com/shire-wold-academy/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shire-wold-domestic-staffing/
Philippa Smith's Links:
https://silverswanrecruitment.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippa-smith-4642b437/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/silver-swan-recruitment/
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