Background & Client Overview
Agilent Technologies, a leading global technology organisation, appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Facilities Manager to lead Workplace Services (WPS) and Facilities Management across a regional UK portfolio.
The position was structured around one of two site groupings — Church Stretton and Cheadle, or Yarnton and Winnersh — and carried significant responsibility for operational performance, outsourced service delivery, projects, security, financial management and long-term workplace strategy.
Agilent required a Facilities professional capable of operating confidently within a complex corporate environment, managing multiple locations and service partners while maintaining consistently high standards.
With accountability for an operational run rate of up to £5 million, the successful candidate needed to combine strong financial acumen, vendor management, technical FM expertise, project delivery and strategic leadership.
The Challenge
The breadth of the Facilities Manager role made this a particularly demanding appointment.
Agilent needed a professional who could take ownership of regional Workplace Services while also contributing to UK-wide programmes and longer-term Real Estate and operational planning.
Key requirements included:
Regional Workplace Services & Facilities Management
Taking responsibility for the delivery of WPS and FM services across the candidate's designated regional portfolio.
Client-Side Operational Management
Acting as Agilent's representative for Workplace Services operations and ensuring outsourced providers remained aligned with the organisation's expectations.
Vendor & Landlord Management
Managing relationships with key service providers and landlords while ensuring operational requirements were understood and addressed effectively.
SLA & KPI Performance
Measuring and managing supplier performance against agreed service level agreements and key performance indicators, maintaining clear accountability for service quality.
UK-Wide Workplace Programmes
Leading and supporting broader Workplace Services initiatives delivered through Agilent's outsourced FM provider.
Project & Technical Support
Acting as the principal regional contact for site projects and technical Facilities queries, coordinating requirements with internal and external stakeholders.
Security Management
Representing Agilent in relation to security systems and services and ensuring appropriate standards were maintained across the regional estate.
Financial Management
Holding fiscal accountability for an operational run rate of up to £5 million, requiring strong budgetary control and commercial judgement.
Real Estate & Operational Strategy
Contributing to longer-term planning around the workplace, Real Estate portfolio and operational requirements.
Facilities Project Delivery
Coordinating small to medium-sized projects through Agilent's global FM provider and ensuring effective delivery against agreed objectives.
Construction & Fit-Out Projects
Providing the capability to manage medium-scale construction and fit-out projects where required.
Sustainability & Continuous Improvement
Supporting initiatives designed to improve workplace performance, operational efficiency and sustainability across the estate.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens developed a targeted search focused on Facilities and Workplace professionals with proven experience managing large-scale, multi-site corporate environments.
The role required a rare combination of operational FM knowledge, commercial capability and strategic thinking. Candidates therefore needed to demonstrate far more than day-to-day Facilities experience.
Our assessment focused on expertise in:
- multi-site Facilities and Workplace Services management
- outsourced FM service delivery
- landlord and vendor management
- SLA and KPI performance management
- substantial operational budget responsibility
- technical Facilities Management
- security services
- project and fit-out delivery
- Real Estate and workplace strategy
- sustainability and continuous improvement
- senior stakeholder engagement
- complex corporate environments
Using our specialist Facilities Management network and detailed assessment process, we identified candidates capable of operating effectively at both strategic and operational level.
Following a comprehensive search and selection process, Maxwell Stephens successfully placed a highly experienced Facilities Manager with Agilent Technologies.
Outcome & Impact
The successful candidate brought the technical knowledge, commercial awareness and leadership capability required to take ownership of a complex Workplace Services portfolio.
Stronger Workplace Services Leadership
The new Facilities Manager assumed responsibility for regional Workplace Services and helped ensure FM activities remained aligned with Agilent's wider operational requirements.
Enhanced Vendor Performance
Close management of key service providers, supported by clear SLA and KPI monitoring, strengthened accountability and helped maintain consistent service standards.
Greater Financial Control
Experience managing significant operational budgets enabled the candidate to provide effective oversight of an annual run rate of up to £5 million, supporting disciplined financial management and informed decision-making.
Improved Project Delivery
The Facilities Manager took ownership of regional project requirements and provided effective coordination between Agilent, its global FM provider and other stakeholders.
Stronger Strategic Planning
The candidate's broader Real Estate and operational experience enabled them to contribute to longer-term workplace and property planning rather than focusing solely on immediate Facilities requirements.
Enhanced Sustainability Focus
Their experience supported the development and delivery of sustainability initiatives, contributing to Agilent's wider efforts to improve workplace and operational performance.
Stronger Stakeholder & Supplier Relationships
The successful candidate developed effective relationships with landlords, vendors, outsourced FM partners and internal stakeholders, improving coordination across the Facilities function.
Outcome
The successful placement provided Agilent Technologies with a Facilities Manager capable of combining multi-site Workplace Services leadership, outsourced FM management, financial control, technical expertise, project delivery and strategic planning.
The appointment strengthened the management of Agilent's regional Facilities operations while providing the capability to contribute to wider UK programmes and longer-term Real Estate objectives.
The assignment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens' ability to recruit senior Facilities professionals for complex, technology-led corporate environments, where success requires a balance of operational expertise, commercial judgement and strategic perspective.
Looking for an experienced Facilities or Workplace Services Manager to lead a complex multi-site portfolio? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.