From a single Dutch country house to the world's most celebrated centre of butler training, the story of The International Butler Academy is best told through its homes. Each move marked a new ambition: a more authentic setting, a richer training experience, and a higher standard of service. What follows is that journey, milestone by milestone.
Twenty-five years in pursuit of the art of exceptional service
Our History
2000 - The Founding of TIBA
Huis 't Velde · Warnsveld, The Netherlands
The International Butler Academy was founded in 2000 by Mr. Robert Wennekes, who set out to revive and professionalise the noble craft of the butler for a new century. The Academy opened its doors at Huis 't Velde, a gracious country estate in Warnsveld, where the first generation of students was shaped in the disciplines of service, etiquette and household management. From the very beginning, the guiding principle was clear: to craft ordinary individuals into extraordinary professionals who embody the epitome of service.
2008 - Learning in a Real Castle
Slot Zeist · Zeist, The Netherlands
In 2008 the Academy moved to Slot Zeist, a magnificent castle in the heart of the Netherlands. The setting was no mere backdrop: training amid the grandeur of a genuine palace allowed students to learn their craft in precisely the kind of distinguished environment they would one day serve. Formal dining, the reception of guests and the management of a great house could now be practised in their true context, adding authenticity and gravitas to every lesson.
2011 - Learning While Serving a Real Family
Kasteel Oost · Valkenburg, The Netherlands
The Academy relocated in 2011 to Kasteel Oost, an elegant castle in Valkenburg in the south of the Netherlands. Here the training took a decisive step closer to reality: students learned not in the abstract but in the living context of a real household, refining the intimate art of anticipating and meeting the needs of a family and its guests. It was at Kasteel Oost that the Academy's reputation for uncompromising, hands-on instruction was firmly established.
2014 - The International Butler Academy China
Chengdu, Sichuan Province · China
On 10 July 2014 the Academy opened its first institute beyond Europe: The International Butler Academy China, in the vibrant city of Chengdu. A delegation of the Academy's finest royal butlers travelled to China for the official opening, and the new academy — set within a luxurious private villa with training rooms, a professional kitchen and full residential facilities — began delivering an intensive butler programme modelled on the parent school and adapted for its students. The step marked the Academy's emergence as a truly global name in fine service.
2015 - All Training Facilities on One Estate
In 2015 the Academy settled into its present and most remarkable home: Huize Damiaan in Simpelveld. Originally a monastery founded in 1892 by followers of the canonised Father Damiaan, the estate was acquired and lovingly restored over the course of a year to become one of the largest private residences in the Netherlands. For the first time, every element of the training — teaching, dining, service practice and residence — was brought together on a single, self-contained estate, giving students an immersive environment of unmatched authenticity and scale.
2019 The Best Butler School in the World
A landmark of international recognition
In 2015 the Academy settled into its present and most remarkable home: Huize Damiaan in Simpelveld. Originally a monastery founded in 1892 by followers of the canonised Father Damiaan, the estate was acquired and lovingly restored over the course of a year to become one of the largest private residences in the Netherlands. For the first time, every element of the training — teaching, dining, service practice and residence — was brought together on a single, self-contained estate, giving students an immersive environment of unmatched authenticity and scale.
2025 - Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence
A quarter-century of exceptional service
In 2025 The International Butler Academy proudly marked its 25th anniversary. From its founding in a single Dutch country house to its standing today as the world's most celebrated centre of butler training, a quarter-century of dedication has shaped generations of professionals who serve royal households, diplomats and distinguished families across the globe. The milestone is not only a celebration of the Academy's history, but a renewed commitment to the pursuit of excellence that has defined it from the very first day.
“My attitude is shown in my behavior, and my behavior shows my character. My character is my destiny.”
- from the Pledge of The International Butler Academy