Rural

There’s really no escaping it – winter is coming. Don’t worry, we’re not talking about the scary, Game of Throne’s style invasion of Donald Trump onto the US-political scene, but rather cosy evenings by the fire, warm fashions and crisp mountain air. That’s right, over at BBB winter means one thing and we’re ready to yell it at the top of our over-excited lungs – ski season! In our usual style, we’d like to share our top tips and trade secrets for a truly magnificent, snow-capped adventure.

The will and the way

With the white stuff arriving early to much of Europe, dedicated hordes of snow bunnies commence their winter pilgrimage to the globe’s most difficult to reach destinations. If you prefer to swap hours in the airport for time on the slopes we recommend speaking to The Appointment Group to discuss your travel plans. Whether you revert back to the golden age of rail travel and experience all the beauty of a train journey through the Arlberg Valley or fly straight in via private jet or helicopter, these guys will maximise holiday time and minimise travel stress. Contact The Appointment Group for any enquiries The full package Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an enthusiastic first-timer, finding the perfect place to stay is a crucial decision. Our friends over at the Oxford Ski Company are the industry leaders in sourcing, booking and arranging holidays to the world’s most special chalets, hotels and resorts and offer a complete concierge service to create an unforgettable, tailored experience. With first-hand experience of the finest mountain-side chalets, guests can choose from properties with swimming pools, heated spas and even private ice rinks – removing all the hard graft and allowing you to focus on the fun. Contact Oxford Ski Company for any enquiries Stay in style Luxury accommodation is never more appreciated than after a full day on the slopes, which is probably why ski resorts play host to some of the world’s finest accommodation. One of our all-time favourites has to be L’Apogée Courchevel, from the extraordinary setting, perched atop the former Olympic ski jump, to the rooftop Jacuzzis and chic interiors – this really is the crème de la crème of slope-side shelter. Whilst ski-in/ski-out access satisfies the thrill-seekers, snow safaris and opulent spa facilities are on offer for those who want Aprés all day every day. For children, the VIP club promises the most fun in Courchevel 1850, ensuring that the whole family is catered for.

Culture exchange

With the financial market still suffering from the Brexit-effect, it’s never been so important to get as much bang for your buck when travelling abroad. We recommend securing a good rate in advance through Investec who offer a wide range of Private Client Foreign Exchange services for clients looking to swap frequent or large amounts of currency, over and above £50k a year. With the sort of personal service you’d expect from private banking, the team can advise on the best way to keep control of your finances during periods of financial instability.

Staff your holiday

Don’t want to lift a finger on holiday? Then, as always, SORTED is here to help! We can source everything from experienced chefs to holiday nannies and private butlers, all designed to garnish your ski experience with an extra side of relax. Whether you’re after a fry up worthy of a Michelin star or the finest champagne picnic served slope-side, our chefs have the skills and experience to create unforgettable culinary experiences at any altitude. If you’ve ever wished you had Mary Poppins on speed-dial, we can recommend the best travelling nannies to lend a hand with everything from settling a toddler for an afternoon nap to giving the teenagers a run for their money on the slopes. We treat all requests as completely bespoke, so drop us a line and we’d be delighted to have a chat and find staffing solutions that work for you. Contact SORTED for any enquiries Secure assets Whilst staying safe on the slopes is one thing, keeping your property and belongings secure is just as critical. Those lucky enough to own their own slice of slope-side paradise may only visit sporadically throughout the year, making it all the more important to invest in the right form of property security. We’ve got a great relationship with Blackstone, whose experience goes beyond the generic security concept to incorporate personal safeguarding or personal protection, building safety, asset security, reputation protection, surveillance and investigations. In short – whatever the brief, these guys will have got you covered. Contact Blackstone for more details Above and beyond Get ready to ski where no man or woman has skied before! Ok, perhaps we can’t quite guarantee that, but what we do know is that if you’re looking for a winter adventure on a whole new level, our friends at Elite Ski may have just the answer: heli-skiing. With an ex ski champion as your guide, the team will literally go to new heights to ensure you experience the most incredible, fresh powder snow for the ultimate off-piste adventure. Contact Elite Ski Team for more details

And chill!

If you’re looking for the coolest (!) new fitness trend, then you won’t want to stray too far from the slopes. Snowga (yep, that’s yoga in the snow) has amassed quite the following of snow-obsessed yogis who are willing to brave bracing temperatures in exchange for mindfulness and rejuvenation. With the natural environment playing a vital role, Elite Ski offer a range of destinations that have embraced the practice which is promoted as a great way to improve ski skills and feel grounded during the winter season. Namaste. Contact Snowga for any enquiries

Here at BBB, we’re proud to source staff for some of the most desirable roles on the market. Whether you’re applying to be PA to an A-lister or private chef to a globe-trotting entrepreneur, there’s no doubt about it, you’ll be up against some pretty stiff competition. At a time when standing out has never been so important, we’ve got some nifty tricks up our sleeve, all aimed at getting your CV to attract the attention it deserves and ultimately help you nab that dream job.

Good to go

For all of our private and corporate clients, discretion is absolutely key, which is why SORTED are working with Rose to introduce Extended Background Checks for all the candidates we place. Sounds scary? It really isn’t. In the broadest sense, background checks are used to ascertain an employee’s probity (honesty and decency) and integrity (their moral and ethical standards) to ensure they can be trusted in the conduct of their work. In short, having a clean sweep on your CV shows that you’ve intuitively put yourself in the shoes of your potential employer and taken the proactive step to make sure your background is wholly accurate. Candidates registered with us, but looking to apply for jobs outside of SORTED, also have access to discounted rates. Contact SORTED for further details,

Take to the skies

If you’re scanning a job description and the words ‘private jet’ pop up, then this one’s for you! TAG Aviation have created a handy half-day course dedicated to private staff with no previous aviation experience and who may be required to undertake duties on board an employer’s aircraft or travel without cabin crew. Covering everything from turbulence procedures to effective communication with Flight Crew, you’re sure to be feeling Top Gun in no time. Contact Debbie Elliott for further details

Get a head start

Your first PA role can be a daunting one with a very steep learning curve. To support junior PAs with this important career leap, we’re delighted to introduce Catrina Naylor and her specialist PA mentoring service ‘The Assistant’ to the SORTED squad. Cat’s had an amazing career assisting very high profile talent and senior execs in the music industry, so is perfectly placed to recruit and advise PAs in the creative sector. The Assistant provides a specialist service that mentors both PA and client to build a long term trusting relationship. Contact Catrina Naylor for further details

Up your game

If you’ve been in the PA circuit for a while now and are looking to make the next step from utterly awesome to organisational ninja, then all-round PA superstar, Donna Coulling, might just be the lady who can help. With an enviable CV stuffed to the brim with celeb clients and global glitterati, Donna’s PA coaching service, covering everything from leveraging your network to brushing up on skills, may be the best career investment you ever make. Contact Donna Coulling for further details

Cover the details

Calling all freelancers! Did you know that it’s down to you to get the proper legal cover to protect yourself in the workplace? Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds and as usual, SORTED are here to make it that bit easier. As Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance are often overlooked by freelancers and those running their own businesses, we’ve arranged for our friends at contacts at Lark Insurance to be on hand to offer friendly advice on identifying your risk exposures.. Contact Natalie Hills at Lark for more details

First to the top

When it comes to quick and easy qualifications that add some extra sparkle to your CV, First Aid Training is a tried-and-tested crowd pleaser. Valuable for so many roles, from office managers to positions within private households, an up-to-date certificate gives employers complete reassurance that the office is safe in your hands! Although we can’t promise an instructor à la George Clooney in the days of ER, we can recommend the services of First Aid for Life, who offer practical training tailored to your existing knowledge. See website for more details