Background
Brompton Bicycles asked Maxwell Stephens to fill the position of Head of Facilities Projects on a short-term contract. The role initially required interim cover for the retiring Head of FM and Maintenance, with a subsequent focus on improving the existing facilities team and assisting in the search for a permanent Head of FM. What began as a 3-month contract was extended to 9 months, a measure of the value the interim brought to the business.
The Challenge
The primary challenge was to find someone who could step straight into the role, manage ongoing projects and contribute to the recruitment of a permanent Head of FM. The candidate also needed a strong project management background and the ability to oversee a range of facility improvement initiatives within a manufacturing environment.
Interim facilities appointments of this kind carry a particular risk. The person has to be credible with the leadership team from the first week, comfortable running capital projects in a live production setting, and willing to build a team they will eventually hand over. Candidates who want the projects but not the stewardship of the function, or the reverse, are not hard to find; candidates who will do both well are.
Our Approach
Maxwell Stephens identified a highly qualified candidate with substantial experience in project management and facilities operations. They had a demonstrable record of managing complex projects, negotiating leases and liaising with external stakeholders, and their ability to build working relationships with landlords, lawyers and contractors, together with a track record of delivering projects on time and under budget, made them the right fit for the role.
The Outcome
During the 9-month tenure, the interim Head of Facilities Projects led several significant initiatives:
- Factory cooling. Installation of a £500K air cooling system for the factory.
- Expansion space. Negotiation of leases for four new units to support company expansion, and management of the £360K fit-out of those units.
- Head Office refurbishment. Oversight of the refurbishment of two floors at Head Office.
- Site improvements. Installation of electric car charging points, implementation of thermal imaging cameras for COVID-19 protection, and acquisition of off-site car parking.
- Supply chain. Introduction of new third-party suppliers to improve service levels and value for the business.
Alongside the project work, the interim built strong relationships with key stakeholders and delivered weekly reports to the CEO and CFO on projects and budget, giving the leadership team clear visibility of progress and spend. All projects were completed on schedule and within budget.
Why This Placement Worked
A short-term contract extended well beyond its original term is the clearest signal a client can give about an interim appointment. It happened here because the brief was treated as a projects role with an interim-cover element, rather than as cover with some projects attached, and the search was run for a candidate whose commercial and project experience matched that. Interim managers who can negotiate a lease, run a fit-out and report credibly to a CEO are worth securing quickly while a permanent search is still under way.
If you need interim facilities cover, particularly where projects are already in progress and a permanent search is running in parallel, Maxwell Stephens can help. Get in touch with our team.