Private PA Recruitment for Family Offices and UHNW Principals

PA and EA Recruitment for Private, Family Offices and UHNW Principals

Private offices and UHNW principals need PAs and EAs with a very particular set of qualities: absolute discretion, exceptional organisational ability, and the capacity to manage complex personal and professional responsibilities simultaneously. From coordinating across multiple properties and international travel to liaising with household staff and managing sensitive correspondence, the demands of these roles go well beyond a standard corporate EA position.

Oriel Partners has placed private PAs and EAs with UHNW principals, family offices, and private households across London and the UK. Our co-founder Auria Heanley specialises in private household and private office recruitment, bringing deep sector knowledge and a highly personal approach to every search.

Specialist private office expertise: our co-founder Auria Heanley specialises in private household and UHNW recruitment, with a deep understanding of what these principals need from their personal support staff.

Absolute discretion as standard: we handle every private office and UHNW search with the same care and confidentiality we would expect of the candidates we place, from the initial brief to the final placement.

Character and skill assessed together: in private household and family office roles, fit and character are as important as experience, and we assess both thoroughly before making any introduction.

Permanent and temporary placements: whether you need a permanent private PA or experienced temporary cover during a current assistant's absence or a period of transition, we can help with both.

Trusted by UHNW principals and family offices: our repeat business rate reflects the quality of our placements and the long-term relationships we build with the clients we support.

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OUR PRIVATE PA AND UHNW HIRING PROCESS

Initial consultation

To build a comprehensive picture of your private office or household’s needs, a consultant will arrange to meet with you, or your representative, at a time and location that suits you. We take time to understand not just the practical requirements of the role but the working style, values, and personal preferences that will make the right candidate a genuine fit.

Private office recruitment specialist on the phone at a laptop while a colleague works nearby in a discreet office

Shortlisting candidates

Your consultant will search our specialist private office network and use carefully targeted channels to identify candidates with the right experience and character for your household or family office. We do not compromise on quality, and you will only meet candidates we are genuinely confident in.

Red-brick mansion blocks on a leafy residential street in central London

Interviewing candidates

Every candidate is screened, interviewed, assessed, and personally briefed by us before they are introduced to any of our clients. For private and UHNW roles, we take additional care to ensure each candidate understands the level of discretion, flexibility, and commitment the role requires.

Ivy-clad archway leading to a private mews in an affluent UK neighbourhood

Securing a candidate

Once you have identified the right person, we will manage the process through to start date. If the initial shortlist does not produce the right match, we will go back to work and compile a new one. Please get in touch in confidence to discuss your private office or UHNW hiring needs.

Ornate red-brick mansion block facade in a prime central London residential district

PRIVATE PA, FAMILY OFFICE AND UHNW RECRUITMENT FAQs

Common questions clients ask us about recruiting private PAs and EAs for UHNW principals, family offices and private households. For more information about our process, please get in touch.

What makes Oriel Partners well placed to recruit private PAs and EAs for UHNW principals?

Our co-founder Auria Heanley specialises in private household and UHNW recruitment, with extensive experience placing PAs and EAs with high net worth principals, family offices, and private households. We understand that these roles require a very specific combination of skills, discretion, and personal qualities, and we assess all of these thoroughly before making any introduction. Every search is handled with the same level of confidentiality we would expect of the candidates we place.

What types of roles do you recruit for in private office and UHNW environments?

We recruit across the full range of private support roles, including private PAs, personal assistants to UHNW principals, family office EAs, and hybrid household and business PA roles. We place both permanent hires and experienced temporary staff, and we are equally comfortable with single-principal households and multi-property family offices with complex, varied requirements.

Can you help us find a temporary private PA at short notice?

Yes. We maintain a network of experienced private PA and household PA candidates who are available for temporary placements and can step in at short notice. All candidates placed in private household environments have been thoroughly assessed and reference-checked before they arrive, so you can be confident in whoever we put forward.

How do you ensure candidates for private household roles have the right level of discretion?

Discretion is part of our assessment process for every private office and UHNW candidate, not an afterthought. We discuss the confidentiality expectations of the role during interview, assess each candidate’s understanding of professional boundaries, and conduct thorough reference checks that specifically address their track record in sensitive environments. We only introduce candidates we are fully confident in.

How long does it take to place a permanent private PA for a UHNW principal?

The timeline for private office placements varies depending on the specificity of the brief and the principal’s availability for interviews. We work to provide a first shortlist within 48 hours where possible, and our target for permanent placements is an accepted offer within two to four weeks. For particularly specific or sensitive briefs, we would rather take a little more time and get the placement right.

"Our firm has partnered with Oriel Partners on several Executive Assistant and Receptionist searches this year. The team at Oriel have consistently delivered high quality candidates, in addition to being a pleasure to work with. They listen to our needs and really understand the culture of our firm and what is important to us in a search. They are very responsive and also willing to provide insights on the market, which we find really helpful. I look forward to working with Oriel Partners again on our next search."

Talent Director, Mid-Market PE Firm

"Olivia and the team at Oriel are trusted advisors to our business. We have worked with Olivia for many years, and I can always rely on her to find the best solution for us. Olivia is able to advise and guide us through the process, no matter how tricky, as she not only knows our roles and our business well, but she has taken the time to get to know her candidates and can advise and guide them into roles that are fulfilling and suited, which, as a client makes for an appointment that works and lasts! Her level of client and candidate care is second to none and I have recommended her personally to a number of our clients as I know I can trust that Olivia and her team will deliver the highest level of service, ethically and responsibly for all involved."

Sam Boon, Recruitment and Talent Manager, Odgers Berndtson

"It’s the first time we have used Oriel Partners and we would definitely use their agency services again for the right role. The service is professional yet friendly, at pace and a successful placement made in a timely manner."

Sara Roden, HR Lead, Keep Britain Tidy

Specialist PA recruitment
for private offices and UHNW
principals

Oriel Partners

PA and EA Recruitment for Private, Family Offices and UHNW Principals

From Our Co-Founder