Message from the Chairman

by Steven Ferry

We cover a variety of interesting topics this month, including feedback from the many with much to say about the ongoing South African Butler Academy court cases, the reported excesses of which have galvanized the butler schools of the world into forming an alliance to set standards for what is acceptable business practice for the profession and thus protect the reputation of all member schools, and provide future students with choices that will actually deliver on the promise rather than disappoint them and even betray their trust.

There is a silver lining in every cloud, it seems, or as Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t—you are right.”

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people- skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.