Background
Caledonia Investments plc is a self-managed investment trust with net assets of approximately £2 billion, investing in high-quality businesses with a long-term approach to value creation. Operating from prestigious London headquarters, the organisation places significant emphasis on maintaining a professional, efficient and compliant workplace environment that reflects its reputation within the investment community.
When a key member of the team commenced maternity leave, Caledonia Investments appointed Maxwell Stephens on an exclusive basis to recruit an experienced Facilities Manager on a fixed-term contract to ensure continuity across all workplace and building operations.
The Challenge
This was a highly visible appointment requiring an experienced Facilities Manager capable of assuming immediate responsibility for every aspect of workplace operations within a demanding corporate environment.
The successful candidate would oversee the building, manage substantial operational budgets and ensure compliance across all statutory obligations while maintaining an exceptional workplace experience for employees, visitors and stakeholders.
Key responsibilities included:
- Leading all day-to-day Facilities Management operations.
- Managing a £1.7 million building occupancy budget.
- Overseeing a £1.2 million departmental budget.
- Managing a £350,000 service charge budget.
- Overseeing mechanical and electrical building services.
- Managing planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes.
- Leading contractor and supplier relationships.
- Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety legislation.
- Managing fire risk assessments, COSHH and DSE compliance.
- Supporting environmental reporting and sustainability initiatives.
- Managing tenant and stakeholder relationships.
- Negotiating service contracts and monitoring supplier performance.
- Delivering office refurbishment, relocation and workplace improvement projects.
The role demanded a technically accomplished Facilities Manager with strong commercial awareness, financial management capability and exceptional stakeholder engagement skills.
Our Approach
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with Caledonia Investments to gain a detailed understanding of the organisation, its culture and the operational priorities of the Facilities function.
We recognised that technical competence alone would not be sufficient. The successful candidate also needed the confidence to work within a professional investment environment, managing senior stakeholders while maintaining exceptionally high workplace standards.
Our executive search focused on candidates with experience in:
- Corporate Facilities Management.
- Financial services and investment management environments.
- Building Services and M&E operations.
- Health & Safety and statutory compliance.
- Environmental and sustainability management.
- Budget and service charge management.
- Contractor procurement and supplier management.
- Workplace projects and office relocations.
- Corporate office operations.
Every shortlisted candidate underwent a comprehensive assessment covering:
- Facilities Management leadership.
- Financial and commercial capability.
- Technical building services knowledge.
- Compliance and risk management.
- Project delivery experience.
- Stakeholder engagement.
- Contractor management.
- Communication and decision-making skills.
This rigorous process ensured the successful candidate was capable of taking ownership of the Facilities function from day one.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an experienced Facilities Manager with an outstanding track record within corporate office environments.
The successful candidate quickly integrated into the organisation, providing seamless leadership across all aspects of Facilities Management while maintaining the exceptionally high operational standards expected within the investment sector.
Since joining Caledonia Investments, they have successfully:
- Maintained effective control of multiple high-value operational budgets.
- Ensured continued compliance with Health & Safety and environmental legislation.
- Strengthened contractor performance and supplier governance.
- Managed mechanical and electrical building services effectively.
- Delivered refurbishment and workplace improvement projects.
- Maintained excellent relationships with stakeholders, tenants and service providers.
- Ensured the workplace remained safe, efficient and fully operational throughout the contract period.
The appointment provided complete continuity during the maternity cover while reinforcing Maxwell Stephens' reputation for delivering experienced Facilities Management professionals into complex corporate environments.
Trusted Recruitment for Corporate Facilities Leadership
Investment firms and corporate occupiers require Facilities leaders who combine technical expertise with commercial awareness, financial discipline and outstanding stakeholder management.
Maxwell Stephens specialises in recruiting senior Facilities Management professionals who deliver operational resilience, compliance and exceptional workplace performance across financial services, professional services and corporate environments.
Candidate Testimonial
"Maxwell Stephens found me the perfect placement—again! They took the time to understand both my experience and what I wanted from my next role, kept me informed throughout the process and provided excellent support from start to finish. I know exactly who I'll be contacting when my current contract comes to an end."
— Jae Bristow
Why Clients Choose Maxwell Stephens
For more than two decades, Maxwell Stephens has supported leading investment firms, financial institutions and corporate organisations with specialist recruitment across:
- Facilities Management
- Workplace & Office Management
- Corporate Real Estate
- Technical Services & Building Engineering
- Health & Safety
- Property Management
- Workplace Projects & Relocations
- ESG & Sustainability
- Senior Facilities Leadership
Our specialist market knowledge, extensive candidate network and rigorous search process enable us to consistently deliver outstanding professionals for some of the UK's most prestigious organisations.