In this episode of Life in Private Staffing, I sit down with David Cannie, senior estate manager of a 15,000-acre private estate in the UK with hundreds of residential properties, heritage buildings, and a team of 100+ staff.

Having transitioned from a career in property management into the UHNW private sector, David shares what it’s really like to oversee one of the country’s most impressive landed estates. Together, we dive into:
✨ The day-to-day reality of managing a vast estate with multiple departments, tenants, and heritage properties
✨ Building relationships with UHNW families and navigating their unique expectations
✨ How to keep large in-house teams motivated and collaborative
✨ The quirks of life in private staffing – including the time David was asked to move 80-year-old oak trees 🌳
✨ The skills, resilience, and “thick skin” needed to thrive in this industry

Whether you’re an aspiring estate manager, already working in the private staffing world, or simply curious about what happens behind the gates of the UK’s most exclusive estates, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

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