ABOUT THE DEVONSHIRE GROUP

My wife and I are extremely lucky to work alongside a team of people who love and care for the Chatsworth, Bolton Abbey, Lismore & Careysville Estates, our hotels and other parts of the Devonshire Group as much as we do.

Visitors and guests say it is the warm, friendly and helpful welcome they receive, which singles out our colleagues – making every visit special. It is so important that every visitor and every colleague is treated as we would all expect to be treated, with courtesy and respect.

As an employee or volunteer within the Devonshire Group, we welcome your involvement in the estates and businesses; we believe your work and enthusiasm are essential to the continued success of our estates, and actively promote opportunities for you to have your say.

Our vision and values were created from the heart of our family and everything we do is with these vision and values in mind.

We strive to be an exceptional employer of exceptional people, and we hope our values strike a chord with you.

The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire

As an employee you can expect:

• Free entrance, as often as you like, to Chatsworth House, Garden, Farmyard and playground (including car parking) on the Derbyshire Estate and to the Bolton Abbey Estate in Yorkshire for you and up to three guests.
• Generous discounts off food, drinks and retail items from all our outlets including our stables restaurants, the Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop, our hotels in Derbyshire and Yorkshire and retails shops on both estates.
• Free entrance to selected special events including Chatsworth Country Fair and the Chatsworth International Horse Trials for you and up to three guests.
• A special rate for stays at our hotels and spa for you and a guest.
• Discounted stays at our holiday cottages.
• Discounted membership to the Chatsworth Health Club. Facilities include: a gymnasium with highly trained staff, swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, bowls and tennis.
• In Yorkshire, staff may apply for free passes for the Devonshire Spa.
• Annual staff parties, both in Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
• Annual children’s parties for staff with young children, both in Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

All colleagues receive training and we have worked hard to develop a suite of interesting and engaging training and development programmes across a diverse range of subjects.

Our new talent development programmes are accredited with the Chartered Institute of Management. There are currently two programmes available consisting of eight full-day workshops over eight weeks. All employees who are successful in their application to take part are fully paid whilst training.

Level one (CMI level two) is open for all employees to apply to take part. This is the first stepping stone in your career providing learning to help you to develop.

Level two (CMI level three) is open to supervisors or aspiring supervisors and provides valuable academic and practical learning to help you succeed in your role.

All staff and volunteers attend our Devonshire Group induction and our customer service training. All Devonshire Group employees are also invited to attend welfare workshops such as mental health awareness. We provide training in over 80 health and safety compliance courses including first aid, food safety and many more.

Staff are also encouraged to talk to their manager about attending our internally run programmes which cover many subjects, such as excel training, avoiding conflict and interviewing skills.

“When I first applied to become a volunteer I did not wish to become formally employed. I was retired so why would I. I love coming to Chatsworth and I applied to become a guide two years ago. I was successful and haven’t looked back. I am now well and truly part of the ‘Chatsworth family’”.

David, Visitor Experience team

“Working at Chatsworth is a privilege. We’re custodians of a wonderful story which will be around for generations. We often refer to the "Chatsworth family” and that’s exactly what it is; we have a great social life as a team outside work and every day is a learning experience.”

Steve, Visitor Welcome Team

“My daily commute used to be painful. Now I pass green fields in the opposite direction to the prevailing traffic to head into our little corner of the countryside. The great fire in reception is always a welcoming sight and is a good likeness to the warmth and kindness our staff exude.”

Andrew, Devonshire Hotels & Restaurant Group.

“As a garden volunteer at Chatsworth, I was encouraged by my supervisor to study for the RHS diploma and to apply for a permanent gardener position, which, to my delight, I was offered. I love working in the Chatsworth Garden. The team are brilliant, supportive and encouraging. This opportunity is fantastic and working here is awesome.”

Dawn, Chatsworth Garden team.

“I really wanted to be a gardener at Chatsworth since I was about seven years old. It’s great working with such a close and supportive team who have helped me become the gardener I am today.”

Rowan, Chatsworth Garden team

“The 12-month placement position offered by Chatsworth has fulfilled part of my university degree and set me up for future employment. Chatsworth has been a fantastic place to learn as I begin my career as a Land Agent. The scale of the estate has enabled me to gain experience in a wide array of estate management practices including property management, farming, forestry, planning and development, and much more. This variety has meant that no two days are the same and has given me vital experience in the workplace for when I graduate.”

Alex, University Placement Student, Land Agent team

“The opportunity for career development here at Chatsworth is outstanding and the Stepping-Up programme lead to my promotion as supervisor. It’s not just the place you work that is special, it’s the people you work with”.

Joanne, Estate Farm Shop