Our History

In 1845 - Sarah Massey, having been left destitute with two children on the death of her husband, received a proposal from a Miss Williamson that as a gift she should take over the business she ran in King Street, Derby supplying local situations with the servants they required.

Thus, Mrs Massey’s Agency was born.

In 1875 - The second Mrs Sarah Massey took over. She made a great success of it “so that throughout the country Mrs Massey’s became a household name, and she became an authority on matters pertaining to Domestic Service”.

In 1890 - Ernest Massey inherited the agency on the death of his mother. He was a somewhat reluctant businessman; regarding himself as an artist by profession. Nevertheless, he had learnt a great deal about the agency resulting in the introduction of ‘Certificates of Character’ now known as ‘References’.

In 1920 - The London branch of Massey’s Agency was opened at 100 Baker Street under the control of Mrs Ruth Massey. It traded from this address for over 60 years.

In 1930s - Saw a gradual decline in the number of servants caused by social changes, the attraction of better paid work and the introduction of ‘labour-saving’ devices.

In 1968 - Carol Ellis (the founder’s great, great-granddaughter) and her husband took over the running of the agency. They were ably supported by Mrs Bates, the doyen of domestic staff recruiters, who retired in 1986 after serving Massey’s Agency for over 50 years.

In 2020 - The agency was sold to its present owners who remain committed to maintaining the excellent reputation built up by the Massey family over the years.

What we do

Massey’s Agency acts as a bridge between employers seeking domestic help and individuals looking for domestic staff positions.

• Needs Assessment: On initial contact we will need to conduct a thorough needs assessment to understand your requirements. This involves discussing your specific needs, preferences, and any unique circumstances that may influence the type of domestic staff you require.
• Candidate Recruitment and Screening: Massey’s Agency is responsible for sourcing and recruiting potential domestic staff members. This includes advertising job vacancies, reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and verifying references and background checks. Ensuring the credibility, reliability, and skills of the candidates is crucial.
• Candidate Matching: Based on the information gathered from clients and candidates, Massey’s Agency will use its expertise to match suitable domestic staff members with the specific needs and preferences of the clients. This involves considering factors such as skills, experience, personality fit, availability, and any specialised requirements.
• Placement and Contract Negotiation: Once a suitable match is identified, Massey’s Agency will facilitate the placement process. This may include negotiating employment terms, discussing contracts, and ensuring that both parties (client and staff) are satisfied with the arrangements.
• Ongoing Support: Massey’s Agency will provide ongoing support to both clients and domestic staff members during the settlement period. This may involve addressing any concerns, facilitating communication between parties, and offering guidance.
• Confidentiality and Privacy: Maintaining strict confidentiality and privacy standards is crucial in this line of work. Massey’s Agency will handle client and staff information with utmost discretion and comply with applicable privacy regulations.

Find Staff For Your Home - 1st Class Service

Massey’s Agency are extremely well placed to help you find the right staff for your household needs, with a long history in household staff recruitment. We have excellent candidates ready to fill the positions you require, and are careful to vet all applications to ensure only the best are presented to you. You can find out more about our recruitment process or discuss your role requirements with our team today. Call 0203 033 0000 or email mail@masseysagency.co.uk today.