Gloves and manners: what it takes to be a butler to the elite

Being a billionaire’s butler isn’t easy, but if you have what it takes, you may find a place in a rarefied world.

With the wealth gap growing and more and more of the world’s elite looking for full-time service, programmes like the one offered by the International Butler Academy and the British Butler Institute have skyrocketed in popularity.

But what is it really like, living with and doing everything for your boss, no questions asked?

Butlers have to do things like clean, organise the household, develop budgets, make appointments and anything else their employer can think of. It takes detail-orientation, discretion, people management skills and masterful diplomacy – as well as seamless trouble-shooting and adaptation.

But it’s a well-rewarded post for the right profile.

British butlers, for example, are particularly in demand in China, where the popularity of the ‘Downton Abbey’ series has made having a top manservant a trend. Butlers also have pretty good job security – even if they get fired, most find a new job within two weeks.

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