The billionaire fresher
Indian family post ad hiring 12 servants to help daughter at St Andrews
THEY normally live in relative squalor and exist on a diet of pasta and fast food.
But one first year student at a prestigious Scots university is foregoing the authentic fresher experience in favour of an altogether more luxurious one.
The woman, who is believed to be the daughter of an Indian billionaire, is seeking a team of 12 staff, including a butler and maid, to look after her as she studies at St Andrews University.
The unnamed student and her family are understood to have bought a huge home for her to live in during her four years studying and are advertising for servants to make sure university life is as comfortable as possible.
Dubbed ‘Britain’s poshest student’, the unknown fresher will have an entourage of staff including a house manager and butler, along with three footmen and housekeepers, a private chef, gardener and chauffeur.
The servants include a maid who will be in charge of waking the student. Multiple adverts for the positions were placed on the recruitment website Silver Swan, describing the family as ‘UltraHigh Net-Worth’ (UHNW).
The job ad for the role for housekeeper read: ‘An affluent and UHNW family have recently purchased a large residence in St Andrews, Scotland, and are looking for three housekeepers.
‘The family are very formal so are looking for staff who’ve worked in similar environments before.
‘You will be part of a large team, you will be responsible for all daily housekeeping tasks and will be working rotational shifts or set shifts (yet to be decided).’
It added: ‘The house will be a full-time residence for the daughter who will be attending university there, the rest of the family (mother, father and brother) will be staying intermittently as well as other family members too.’
An advert for the maid, according to The Sun, said the family were looking for ‘an outgoing, cheerful and energetic personality’.
The job includes ‘waking principal up, liaising with other staff regarding schedule, assisting with grooming, wardrobe management and personal shopping’.
The family are also seeking a chef ‘who specialises in Indian cuisine (especially south Indian cuisines like Dosa)’ and also ‘Italian and Chinese food’.
The staff, who are expected to open doors ‘wherever possible’ for the student, will reportedly be paid about £30,000 a year.
First year student John MacDonald said: ‘The first I heard about it was this afternoon in the halls actually, there was an article on a student website.
‘To be honest, I think it will be quite difficult for her to socialise and to meet people. That’s the great thing about halls, it’s really easy to meet people. It feels like she might have already alienated herself and people might feel intimidated by her.’
One third year chemistry student said: ‘Having lived in halls and if I had the money I’d absolutely be doing the exact same. Maybe not with 12 staff though, just a cleaner and I would have a couple of house mates as well. A chef would be amazing too, all I ate in first year was ready-meals.
‘It might be hard to meet people but hopefully she’ll have huge parties.’
One local proprietor who asked not to be named said: ‘I’ve not heard anything about this.
‘I’ve lived in St Andrews for over 20 years and as far as I’m aware the only houses that would require 12 servants haven’t been sold to any Indian billionaires.’
St Andrews, where Prince William and Kate Middleton met, was unable to confirm if the student was attending the university and Silver Swan recruitment did not wish to comment.