Client Overview
Aspect Capital is a leading financial technology and investment management organisation specialising in systematic and automated trading strategies. Operating within a highly technical, data-led environment, the business required a robust real estate and facilities strategy capable of supporting operational resilience, business growth, and critical infrastructure requirements.
To support a major period of workplace and property transformation, Aspect Capital required an experienced Facilities Project Lead for a two-year project term.
The Challenge
Aspect Capital required a senior facilities and real estate professional capable of developing and delivering along-term property strategy while leading a major corporate relocation and restructuring the organisation’s facilities management model.
The role was highly strategic and commercially complex, requiring strong project leadership, stakeholder engagement, procurement expertise, and technical facilities knowledge.
Key responsibilities included:
- Developing a long-term corporate real estate and workplace strategy
- Leading a major corporate relocation programme
- Establishing a new facilities management operating model
- Managing hard FM service procurement for new premises
- Overseeing maintenance strategies across the property portfolio
- Supporting critical infrastructure and business continuity requirements
- Managing commercial and contractual negotiations
- Coordinating IT colocation and data centre property requirements
- Mobilising facilities services for newly built premises
- Managing base build interfaces, defect periods, third-party rights, and subcontractor warranties
- Reporting on property and facilities performance to the Board
- Supporting annual corporate planning and business strategy
The role required a candidate who could combine strategic property thinking with practical delivery capability in a fast-moving, high-performance financial technology environment.
Our Approach
Understanding the Requirement
We worked closely with Aspect Capital to understand the full scope of the project, the strategic importance of the relocation, and the operational risks associated with the transformation.
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates with:
- Corporate real estate strategy experience
- Major relocation and workplace transformation expertise
- Facilities management mobilisation experience
- Procurement and contract negotiation capability
- Critical infrastructure and business continuity knowledge
- Senior stakeholder and Board-level reporting experience
- Commercial awareness and strong project governance skills
Targeted Search Strategy
Drawing on our specialist facilities management, workplace, and corporate real estate network, we conducted a focused search for professionals with a proven track record of delivering complex property transformation programmes.
We prioritised candidates who demonstrated:
- Strategic planning ability
- Strong project leadership credentials
- Experience managing high-value relocation projects
- Knowledge of hard FM procurement and mobilisation
- Confidence operating in technical and commercially sensitive environments
- The ability to influence senior decision-makers
Candidate Assessment
Candidates were assessed against a comprehensive set of technical, commercial, and leadership criteria, including:
- Property strategy development
- Corporate relocation delivery
- Facilities management operating model design
- Supplier procurement and contract management
- Business continuity and disaster recovery planning
- Budget management and commercial negotiation
- Stakeholder engagement and Board reporting
The Outcome
We successfully appointed a highly experienced Facilities Project Lead who brought the strategic vision, technical expertise, and project leadership capability required by Aspect Capital.
The successful candidate quickly took ownership of the property transformation programme and became a key advisor to the business on all property and facilities matters.
Results Delivered
Strategic Property Planning
The candidate developed and delivered a comprehensive property strategy aligned with Aspect Capital’s long-term business objectives, ensuring the real estate portfolio supported future growth and operational performance.
Major Relocation Delivery
The appointed Facilities Project Lead successfully led a £6 million corporate relocation programme, creating anew workplace environment and establishing the facilities management structure required to support it.
Facilities Management Mobilisation
The candidate procured and mobilised hard FM service contracts for the newly built premises, ensuring maintenance regimes, service levels, warranties, and base build responsibilities were clearly defined and effectively managed.
Commercial and Contractual Negotiation
Their expertise in complex negotiations supported favourable commercial outcomes across property, service contracts, and IT colocation/data centre arrangements.
Critical Infrastructure and Business Continuity
The candidate strengthened maintenance regimes and coordinated business continuity and disaster recovery plans to protect business-critical infrastructure.
Board-Level Reporting
Through clear reporting and performance monitoring, the candidate provided quarterly updates to the Board on property strategy, KPIs, risks, and progress against project objectives.
The Impact
The appointment delivered significant value to Aspect Capital during a major period of property and workplace transformation.
Key benefits included:
- A clear long-term corporate real estate strategy
- Successful delivery of a major relocation programme
- A new facilities management operating model
- Improved maintenance and service delivery structures
- Stronger commercial control across FM and property contracts
- Enhanced business continuity and disaster recovery planning
- Greater Board-level visibility of property and facilities performance
- Improved alignment between workplace strategy and business objectives
This successful placement demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ expertise in recruiting senior facilities, workplace, and corporate real estate professionals capable of delivering complex transformation projects within high-performance financial and technology-led environments.