Letters

A Short Profile

My name is David Suter and I am 38 years old. I was brought up on a typical English council housing estate with my family, living a respectable working class lifestyle as a Publican in a West Yorkshire town in England.

Today as I look back on that lifestyle with fond memories, I thank one man for the opportunity he gave me to be who I am today. Ivor Spencer is the man who has now given me a lifestyle that could only be dreamed of or read about in the 'Hello magazine'. Ivor turned me from a working class man into a Gentleman's Gentleman … and now life is a very different story for me.

Back in the 1980's I had a dream to perhaps be a butler, so I went to the library and learned about a man in London named Ivor Spencer, who ran a school for butlers. However, at the time I could not afford the course fees so I had to put this idea on hold until I could raise the funds.

That was until 1995 when I was working as a publican, the urge to attend this course and pursue this ambition became stronger as I was in a rut with my work and lifestyle. So, one morning I rang Ivor Spencer and within the same day I had sent a deposit in the post to secure a place on the next course. Determined I was going to make this work, I sold my share in my business to raise the necessary funds to pay the course fees and living expenses I would need while in London.

In the October of 1995, I began what was to be a five week intensive Butler Administrator / Personal Assistants course with the man himself - Ivor Spencer. Having already heard of Ivor's background and lifestyle, I was a bag of nerves as I was to meet him in a classroom of fifteen ambitious trainee butlers, all I dare say is how terrified as I was! 10.00 am in walks a man immaculately dressed and with a voice you only heard on the London BBC World Service, he introduced himself as Ivor Spencer.

The next five weeks we were drilled in the art of butlering and private service. He ran the school with military precision. Ivor told many true story's of the lifestyles of the rich and famous, story's of wealth and homes one could only have imagined existed on American TV soaps, however, I will say it was all true now as I have become a part of it. Ivor not only taught the job skills, he taught us all how to be a true Gentlemen, how to gain respect and teach respect, the course was a lesson on life and attitude, on how to be a winner and stay at the top as a human being. Today I am a perfectionist in everything I do and good is never enough, it has to be perfect otherwise I have failed myself and failed Ivor.

Since I left the school I have had the pleasure of working in the USA, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean. I have lived and worked in the grandest mansions and homes, worked aboard private luxury motoryachts, flown the world in private jets and met many stars and famous people. Thanks to Ivor Spencer, also a generous salary that accompanies the lifestyle as well.

Now back to today, I would say Ivor Spencer is the most influential man in the world when it comes to dealing with the British and Foreign Royalty, the High Society Set and the Socialite World. These people treat Ivor with great respect knowing Ivor will only give the best to his clients and a genuine personal service, which is hard to find these days. Ivor is a man of his word; he is strict, sharp, humorous and witty. When Ivor walks in the room he immediately takes centre stage as this is where he proudly belongs.

Apart from my own motivation to attend the Ivor Spencer School, I cannot thank Ivor enough for the opportunity he has given me. I am happier than ever before with my work and lifestyle, I have also met so many people and seen things that today still would have been a dream had I not met the man himself, Ivor Spencer.

Written by David Suter 18/02/2000

From Sun International (Indian Ocean)

To Whom It May Concern

This is to certify that we had the pleasure of having Ivor Spencer train all our Butlers at Le Saint Geran Hotel, Golf & Spa prior to its re-opening last December 1999.

Ivor's unique training is one that you would consider as "priceless", as having witnessed his entire intensive training for two weeks with very long hours, Ivor does not go by the book but through his experience, knowledge and being a world traveller, he can relate to any culture and mould the staff into real world class butlers! Ivor is very strict with his training but I must say he is fair. He gives the staff every opportunity to learn by heart and imparts all the "on the job skill" a butler must possess before he allows them to graduate. Having said this, the room is filled with enthusiasm and fun and we had butlers picking up their notes and walking Ivor Spencer to his room to ensure that they had every piece of information clarified before the night is over! It is with great pleasure to see our butlers so eager to put these skills into practice!

Ivor Spencer also did a superb job in officiating the re-opening of Le Saint Geran as our Master of Ceremonies. We were so pleased with him accepting this role as it also provided us with great PR exposure.

We have the pleasure of having an excellent relationship with Ivor Spencer, as we were fortunate to obtain butlers from him within 24 hours! We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ivor for his support and taking part in positioning Sun International (Indian Ocean) as the premier hotel in the Indian Ocean.

I would also like to thank you for sending us David Suter, as he is EXCELLENT and SUPERB! He just proved to be an added value to our villa and definitely "Blew away our Customers!" From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much.

Catherine Becker
Corporate Rooms Manager
Sun International (Indian Ocean)

From a Former Student

Dear Mr Spencer,

It gives me a great pleasure to write this letter to you about the wonderful experience and excellent education I received while recently attending your school. I would like to express my profound gratitude and appreciation to you, Sir, for all the knowledge I and my fellow students have been given, how to become dedicated and perfect Butlers. In a period of six weeks you transformed a group of laymen into real professionals in the field of domestic service. The curriculum was superb and teaching nothing short of spectacular.

I have been employed as a Butler in the past, but I always felt that my skills as a Butler were inadequate and something was missing in my performance on the job.

Sometime ago my wife and I were watching a television programme called "National Geographic Explorer," and on there was a feature about The Ivor Spencer School for Butler Administrators. We were both fascinated by it. Needless to say I was mesmerized and glued to the TV screen watching the training of perspective Butlers.

To my astonishment, before the programme ended I suddenly realised that until now I was not a real Butler, and to become one I would need to attend The Ivor Spencer School for Butler Administrators, the only place that could provide me with the necessary and adequate training. From that time on I was determined to become a student of The Ivor Spencer School, and on the 1st March 1999 my dream became a reality when I was accepted for the School course. It proved to be one of the best decisions I had ever made.

All my expectations about The Ivor Spencer Butler School proved to be correct. It was a wonderful learning experience for me and my fellow students. I not only gained a vast amount of knowledge on how to be a first-class Butler, but also the confidence that I could meet any challenge in the field of domestic service, from taking control of a household to organising large parties and taking care of all the needs that prospective employers might require.

May I also say that graduating from the School and receiving the coveted Diploma, which by the way opens the doors to many exciting new positions, does not end the association with the School. Students who graduate can always count on the help, wisdom and advice from Mr Ivor Spencer if the need arises. It is only a 'phone-call' away. Many so-called Butler Schools tried to emulate the Ivor Spencer School but failed miserably and had to close down, including some in the United States.

May I end this letter with praise that I feel would be appropriate for the occasion. For anyone who thinks of taking up the challenge of becoming a Butler Administrator and is seeking perfection, there is only one answer and one name only to consider, "The Ivor Spencer International School for Butler Administrators/Personal Assistants," a perfection in itself.

Thank you very much, Sir, for the privilege of being one of your students.

Very truly Yours

CHRISTOPHER ACHCENIAK - U.S.A.
Butler Graduate of the 1999
Spring Course

Citation

The Executive Officers and Fellows of the Guild of International Professional Toastmasters award to Ivor Spencer, The Guild of International Professional Toastmasters Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, the first Toastmaster to receive this Award for services to the Toastmaster profession and for being the first and only Toastmaster to have officiated at well over 1,000 Royal events.

In recognition of Ivor Spencer's relentless efforts and superb contribution to the Toastmaster profession for over forty years.

From: Baroness Thatcher L.G O.M P.C F.R.S

To Ivor,

the best toastmaster of all

with warm regards

Margaret Thatcher

From: The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Westminster

Dear Mr Spencer,

Thank you very much for you excellent work as Toastmaster to my dinner in honour of the Prime Minister, Mr John Major, on Thursday 29th April.

You are certainly the doyen of Toastmasters. it is a pleasure to work with you; your cheerful and reliable manner was a delight to all those present.

Dame Shirley Porter. DBE, DL
Dated : 5th May 1992

From: Claridge's

To Whom it may Concern

It is a great pleasure for me to give a reference for Mr Ivor Spencer.

Mr Spencer's talents as Toastmaster, Master of Ceremonies, after-dinner speaker and lecturer are legendary. His international school of butlers is known worldwide.

I have known Mr. Spencer since I came to London in 1969. During the past four years he has orginised many successful functions at Claridge's and I have had the pleasure of welcoming students from his school to the hotel regularly.

Mr.Spencer has a great organising abilities and works to the highest standards.

Ronald F. Jones

Former Director and General Manager
Dated: 27th October 1988

John Major M.P. Prime Minister

"Our toastmaster, Ivor Spencer, at this special event, is the Prince of Toastmasters."

From: The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Westminister

To Whom It May Concern

9^th January 1997

I write to warmly recommend Mr Ivor Spencer DL FGPT FTRO as the leading Toastmaster in Britain.

Not only is Ivor recognised throughout this country as the most famous and most respected Toastmaster but he is regarded as the finest.

He has acted as Toastmaster for most of the major occasions in London and is frequently responsible at functions with members of the Royal Family, Members of the Cabinet (including the Prime Minister) and a variety of other celebrities and important persona.

Ivor has acted as Toastmaster at many occasions hosted by the Lord Mayor of Westminister and I and my predecessors have always been impressed by him. Not only is he superb at his job, with his great presence and excellent ability to ensure that proper protocol and precedence is maintained and adhered to, but he is also extremely friendly (without being too familiar) and most obliging.

His ability to judge a situation and deal with it most diplomatically is one of his great virtues.

I therefore have no hesitation in recommending Ivor Spencer to you as a Toastmaster.

Yours Sincerely

ROBERT DAVIES
LORD MAYOR OF WESTMINISTER

From a Former Student

Dear Mr Spencer,

I continue to enjoy prosperity and privileges beyond anything I could have thought possible a few years ago.

You will always have my best wishes

Yours Sincerely,

James Allen at Skibo Castle