Background & Client Overview
Allies and Morrison, an acclaimed architectural and urban planning practice, appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Facilities Manager to oversee its Southwark studios and adjacent buildings.
Operating from a distinctive portfolio of creative workspaces, with additional studios across the UK and Ireland, Allies and Morrison required a Facilities Management professional capable of maintaining the high standards of presentation, functionality and service expected within a leading architectural practice.
The successful candidate needed to combine building management, maintenance, health and safety, security, contractor management and financial control, while ensuring the workplace continued to support creativity, collaboration and effective day-to-day operations.
The Challenge
The Facilities Manager role carried responsibility for a broad and varied operational remit across multiple buildings.
Allies and Morrison required someone who could take ownership of building performance while managing contractors, compliance, workplace services and budgets to consistently high standards.
Key requirements included:
Comprehensive Building Management
Overseeing the day-to-day maintenance and operation of multiple buildings, including regular inspections, repairs and the coordination of contractors.
Planned & Reactive Maintenance
Ensuring building issues were identified and addressed promptly while maintaining a structured approach to ongoing maintenance requirements.
Security & Emergency Management
Managing on-site security arrangements and maintaining appropriate emergency procedures to protect employees, visitors and property.
Health & Safety Compliance
Maintaining rigorous health and safety standards, carrying out regular inspections and ensuring relevant compliance documentation remained accurate and up to date.
Housekeeping & Catering
Overseeing housekeeping and catering services to ensure the studios remained clean, professional and welcoming for employees, clients and visitors.
Contractor & Project Management
Coordinating external contractors and Facilities-related projects, ensuring works were delivered safely, efficiently and to the required standard.
Budget & Financial Management
Managing Facilities budgets, reviewing contractor invoices and maintaining accurate financial records to support effective cost control.
ISO & Audit Support
Maintaining appropriate Facilities records and documentation to support internal controls and ISO audit requirements.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens conducted a focused search for Facilities Management professionals with experience managing high-quality, multi-building workplace environments.
Given Allies and Morrison's reputation for design excellence, the successful candidate needed to demonstrate more than technical competence. They also required exceptional attention to detail and an understanding of how the physical workplace contributes to employee experience and organisational culture.
Our assessment focused on professionals with experience in:
- multi-building Facilities Management
- planned and reactive maintenance
- contractor and project management
- health and safety compliance
- security and emergency procedures
- housekeeping and workplace services
- budget and invoice management
- audit and compliance documentation
- stakeholder communication
Following a rigorous search and assessment process, Maxwell Stephens successfully placed an experienced Facilities Manager with Allies and Morrison.
Outcome & Impact
The successful appointment strengthened Facilities Management across the Southwark studio portfolio and introduced greater structure across maintenance, compliance and workplace services.
Improved Building Maintenance
The Facilities Manager implemented robust maintenance processes, improving oversight of inspections, repairs and contractor activity across the buildings.
Stronger Security & Safety
Enhanced security arrangements and close attention to emergency procedures helped maintain a safe and controlled working environment.
Improved Health & Safety Compliance
A structured approach to inspections and documentation strengthened health and safety management and supported ongoing compliance requirements.
More Efficient Facilities Operations
Greater coordination across maintenance, workplace services and contractors helped streamline day-to-day operations and improve overall efficiency.
Stronger Financial Control
Effective oversight of budgets, contractor invoices and Facilities records supported greater visibility and control of expenditure.
Enhanced Workplace Environment
Consistent management of housekeeping, catering and building services helped maintain a professional and welcoming studio environment that supported creativity and collaboration.
Outcome
The successful placement provided Allies and Morrison with a Facilities Manager capable of balancing building performance, compliance, workplace services, contractor management and financial control across a distinctive multi-building estate.
The appointment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens' ability to recruit Facilities Management professionals for creative and design-led organisations, where operational reliability must complement the quality and character of the workplace itself.
Looking for an experienced Facilities Manager to oversee a complex or high-quality workplace portfolio? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.