Meet the Housekeeper Company Team
Julia Harris
Julia Harris is one of the most trusted and respected names in childcare and domestic recruitment, with thousands of successful placements to her name. Born and bred in London, Julia is well versed in exactly what a busy family requires from a childcare recruitment company.
A mother of two gorgeous sons, and a little dog called Scooter, Julia’s yardstick for placing applicants is whether she would feel comfortable leaving her own children with them. Only if the answer is yes, does she proceed. Julia first set up North West Childcare in 1999, following a successful career as a sales director in the luxury packaging industry, after looking for a nanny for her own children and not being satisfied with the standard of help that was out there.
She went on to launch The Housekeeper Company, which specializes in providing housekeepers to discerning, exacting clients nationwide. Following widespread demand from delighted Housekeeper Company clients, Julia subsequently launched the Carer Company, specializing in placing carers in private households.
Harris Recruitment, Julia’s newest venture, will offer clients Nationwide, the same high level of service for childcare, including nannies & maternity nurses, that has always been associated with The Housekeeper Company and her other businesses.
Julia is a passionate advocate for families’ rights to quality and flexible home based childcare . She has advised Granada Media on a Coronation Street storyline involving nannies, took part in a BBC Documentary called “Streets of Slavery” and her expert views on childcare and domestic help have featured in the national press. Julia has advised Government Ministers on Childcare Strategy, did a talk for a cross Parliamentary Committee on the future for domestic workers in the UK and in January 2014 advised the Home Office on skills shortages in the Care and Live in Sectors.
In February 2014, Julia was asked to give evidence, as an expert on overseas domestic workers, about the current plight of migrant overseas domestic workers at The Houses of Parliament in front of the Joint Committee on the Draft Modern Slavery Bill.
Never one to sit still, in October 2014 Julia launched The Childcare Recruitment Consultancy, using her extensive experience on all aspects of childcare to give specialist one to one sessions, offering advice to clients on the different types of childcare and the most suitable options available to them. Julia is also doing Webinars and Seminars on different childcare options and issues for corporate clients.
Jayne Maxwell
Since she started in 2002, Jayne Maxwell, our Customer Services Manager, has been the first point of contact for many of our clients.
Her previous experience includes working in the Hospitality Industry, as well as over 10 years working in Customer Services at Manchester Airport. Her friendly and approachable manner inspires confidence in prospective clients & applicants and as our Office Manager, Jayne’s efficiency, attention to detail and administrative skills are second to none.
Having worked at The Childcare Recruitment Company for over 11 years now , Jayne is an integral and well established part of the Company and her role has evolved and expanded over the years into sourcing and interviewing applicants and she fully understands the process involved when matching the right applicant to the right position. Whatever the query, Jayne is always on hand and willing to take the time to listen.
As a Mother and now a very glamorous Grandma to her gorgeous granddaughter, Jayne believes that her experience as a parent helps her to relate to the needs of our clients. She loves pets, especially her cat Rosie, who holds a special place in her heart, she is also a part time doggy minder and second Mum to Julia’s dog Scooter.
Clare McKenna
Clare McKenna joined the company in May 2014 as Marketing Manager and as a working mum with three young children and a Labrador she can definitely relate to the needs of many of our clients.
Clare’s previous experience includes over 15 years in financial services marketing where she worked for a number of large UK & US blue chip companies, including Citigroup, RBS and HBOS. After having her third child Clare took on a voluntary role as Chair Person of a committee running a local pre-school that her daughter attended. More recently she has run a marketing consultancy business working with clients to develop their online and social media marketing strategies, including website development & online advertising.
Clare’s expertise in marketing combined with her own family experience of juggling work and a busy family life means that she is well placed to understand the real needs of our clients and to develop effective marketing campaigns that deliver tangible results. Clare looks after our online advertising and also handles our reference verification.
