At Your Service

Founders of SILKS, Amanda Cooper and Alison O’Neill, share their unique approach to luxury lifestyle management with L-J Andrew and reveal how client expectations have changed

As we all now look to the future, many people have redefined their lifestyle needs and nowhere more so, than in relation to concierge services. Intimate experiences are becoming increasingly popular, with private chefs enjoying the fruits of a surge in demand, while online educational support has become something of a necessity, not to mention the requirement for excellent housekeeping staff who will continue to bewelcomed with open arms.

At the core of the business, SILKS, provides world class private household staff - from housekeepers to estate managers and butlers to PAs. Attracting the very best candidates for over 10 years, has been vital to the company’s success, as has gaining an insight into the private world and lifestyle choices of clients. This makes all the difference when it comes to staff recommendations. Recognising the need to be surrounded by the right team who can fully support, is crucial.

As a boutique agency, this personalised service sets a standard. Amanda explains: “It’s a given, that all of the staff we employ are of the highest calibre and come with impeccable references. Yet, we insist on something extra, likeability, coupled with the utmost professionalism”. “We call this the elegance factor,” Alison adds: “As well as providing a unique service, we see the business as an ongoing relationship on a highly personal level. We strive to meet our clients’ diverse requirements”.

At SILKS, connections are the cornerstones of success. Having partnered with leading luxury brands and companies; the team learnt that working in collaboration, can provide exceptional service and unique experiences for clients. Amanda explains: “When it comes to on demand concierge services, it’s definitely a case of the proverb: it’s not what you know, but who you know”. Alison continues: “Travel is one area where we have connections with the best in the business. Whether flying by private jet to Milan for a shopping weekend, or sailing around the world on a super yacht, every need and request will be met from the initial enquiry through to a client’s journey home”.

The art of networking and building connections has also helped forge SILKS position as independent relocation specialists. Having a wide and nurtured network of suppliers available, from VIP packing services, air freight carriers to high-end serviced apartments upon arrival, the team identify how important the need to cherry pick the partners to suit those requirements. By providing a full range of national and international relocation services tailor made to each client, SILKS can ensure a seamless transition into a new home and environment. Having worked on projects from corporate relocation to aiding individual clients, the company has become a highly regarded relocation support system for anyone looking to move to any area of the UK.

Amanda concludes: “The most noticeable change over the last 18 months has been the reinforcement of our values at SILKS – ‘Time is precious, waste it wisely’ and celebrating milestone events, creating memories that last, is what we are all about. This is reflected in another strong branch of the business, event planning. Having the resources, experience and networks to arrange intimate gatherings to more elaborate events, we’ve evolved and adapted the skills to guide from the planning, budgeting, sourcing staff and locations, to the creative touches that make an event an experience. We’ve perfected our craft over the years through building on what are the essentials.”

https://silksluxurylifestyle.co.uk/