Which service should you choose between a private concierge, a private secretary and an executive assistant? Detailed comparison: scope, cost, availability, legal status, for whom. Decision guide.
-
Comparison · Private concierge · Private secretary · Executive assistant
Private concierge, private secretary, executive assistant: three professions often confused, with radically different scopes and economic models. This comprehensive comparison helps executives, wealthy families and UHNWIs choose the right device — or the right combination.
Definitions
Private concierge
A private concierge is a service company that takes care of the personal and logistical tasks of an individual or family: management of residences, organization of travel, private events, coordination of household staff, rare acquisitions. The service is provided by a dedicated concierge, employee of the concierge company (not the client).
Private Secretary
A private secretary is a personal employee (employee of the client or provided via an umbrella company) who manages an individual's diary, correspondence, administrative procedures and daily logistics. The scope is mainly administrative and organizational.
Executive Assistant
A management assistant is an employee of the client's company, reporting to a manager. Its scope is professional: business agenda, organization of meetings and business trips, preparation of files, coordination with teams. It does not intervene – in theory – in the personal life of the manager.
✦ ✦ ✦
Complete comparison table
| Criterion |
Private concierge |
Private Secretary |
Director Assistant |
| Legal status | External service provider (company) | Personal employee (employee of the client) | Employee of the company |
| Perimeter | Complete personal life + multi-residence logistics + events + acquisitions | Personal administration + diary + correspondence + daily logistics | Professional life of the manager |
| Availability | 24/7/365 (shift rotation) | 35-45h/week (office hours) | 35-45h/week (business hours) |
| Network of service providers | Wide professional network (artisans, chefs, agents, exclusive access) | Limited (built gradually) | Company professional network |
| Continuity of service | Contractual guarantee (backup) | None (leave, illness, resignation) | None |
| Annual cost | €24,000 to €180,000 (fees) | 40,000 to 80,000 € gross + charges (≈55,000 to 110,000 € total cost) | 35,000 to 65,000 € gross + charges (≈48,000 to 90,000 € total cost) |
| Social charges | None (provider billing) | To the customer's responsibility (≈40% of the gross) | At the company's expense |
| Employer risk | Void (external service provider) | High (industrial tribunal, dismissal) | Carried by the company |
| Confidentiality | Reinforced contractual confidentiality clause | Standard confidentiality clause | Professional secrecy limited to corporate matters |
| Ideal for | UHNWI, multi-residence executives, high net worth families | Public figures, solo executives, wealthy active retirees | CEOs, MDs, board chairs |
Key point: The private concierge service is the only one of the three systems which simultaneously offers: 24/7 availability, guaranteed continuity of service, absence of risk employer, and an integrated network of providers.
When to combine several devices?
The majority of UHNWIs use at least two of the three in parallel:
- Private concierge + executive assistant: the most common combination. The executive assistant manages the professional, the concierge manages the staff. No overlap, maximum efficiency.
- Private concierge + private secretary: relevant for personalities who receive a large volume of personal correspondence (physical mail, invitations, philanthropic requests).
- All three together: reserved for UHNWIs with a very high volume of activity (managers of international groups, familes with complex governance). The concierge then plays the role of “conductor” between the different assistants.
How to choose?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Are your needs primarily professional? → Executive Assistant
- Are your needs mainly personal administrative? → Private secretary
- Do your needs cover logistics, travel, events, residences? → Private concierge
- Do you need 24/7 uninterrupted service? → Private concierge (the only system guaranteeing this availability)
- Do you want to avoid employer risk? → Private concierge service (provider billing)
Test our private concierge service
Adopte Une Conciergerie offers an initial confidential interview to assess your needs and guide you towards the most suitable solution: concierge service alone, or combination with your existing system.
Make an appointment
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a private concierge service and a private secretary?
The private concierge service is an external company that manages complete personal life (residences, travel, events, acquisitions) 24/7 with guaranteed continuity. The private secretary is a personal employee who manages the administration and the agenda during office hours. The concierge service has an integrated network of service providers; the secretary builds his gradually.
How much does a private concierge service cost compared to a private secretary?
Private concierge service costs €24,000 to €180,000/year in fees, without social charges. A private secretary costs €55,000 to €110,000/year including charges. For an equivalent scope with 24/7 availability, concierge service is often more economical because it pools certain resources.
Can we have a private concierge AND an executive assistant?
Yes, this is the most common combination among UHNWIs. The executive assistant manages the professional sphere, the concierge manages the personal sphere. The two coordinate for areas of overlap (trips combining professional and personal, mixed events).
