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Emma-Jane Banister is the founder of Yorkshire’s premier lifestyle management company. She set up GEMS in response to a need that she felt was unanswered. Emma-Jane spent 8 years working in the NHS in a demanding business management role in London before relocating to Leeds with her husband in 1999, where she embarked upon a career in recruitment. Finding herself in an equally demanding new role, coupled with her desire to enjoy the vibrant scene of Leeds that was now at her disposal, Emma-Jane couldn’t believe there were no lifestyle management services in the city. It had been difficult enough trying to find builders, decorators and plumbers who were reliable and provided good quality services, to help make their new family home in Roundhay habitable. A reasonably priced gardener was next on the agenda to tame the wilderness, followed closely by a dependable cleaner to keep up with the ever growing mess; recommendations were scarce and demand for third party services in North Leeds was high. Then when a new arrival, baby Jack, came along to join the already busy household, all the issues of nurseries, childminders and babysitters added to their list of things to think about. You start to look at the city differently when you have a child to consider. Entertainment; the best restaurants, shops and places of interest all change when you start to think in family friendly terms. Having done a lot of the initial research on suppliers and services available around Yorkshire, Emma-Jane soon became the source of local knowledge to her friends and colleagues. With promotion looming it was decision time! Should she take on more and hope that a concierge service would eventually arrive in Leeds? Should she try and find her own personal assistant? The answer was clear; she should start a company that would manage people’s lifestyles and be in a position to help others like her. GEMS Life Management was born. Even leaving her role in recruitment Emma-Jane found that there were more chores to deal with. Giving up her company car meant having to source all the elements of a new car herself. Finding the right deal, researching the most cost effective motor insurance quotes, administering all the paperwork that comes with car ownership, the list seemed endless. Now Emma-Jane and GEMS Life Management strive to ensure that their clients get to achieve that elusive work-life balance. For GEMS, it is integral that the needs of clients’ homes, families, social life and responsibilities are all cared for and that they get to make the most of their personal time. GEMS is for those who feel like Emma-Jane, that time is their most precious resource.
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