Multi-Role Facilities Management Recruitment for Derwent London

Background

Derwent London is one of the UK's leading Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and the largest property company focused exclusively on the central London commercial property market. Known for its design-led approach to property development, refurbishment and asset management, Derwent London owns and manages a portfolio of some of the capital's most distinctive office buildings.

With more than 5.6 million square feet of commercial real estate under management and a portfolio valued at over £5 billion, the company has built a strong reputation for workplaces that combine good architecture, sustainability and sound day-to-day operation.

Following a significant organisational restructure, Derwent London needed several key appointments to strengthen its Property and Facilities Management function, and appointed Maxwell Stephens exclusively to deliver the recruitment campaign.

The Challenge

The restructure created an urgent requirement to recruit four specialist Facilities Management professionals across varying levels of seniority. The appointments were:

• Head of Facilities Management
• Technical Services Manager
• Residential Facilities Manager
• Assistant Building Manager

Collectively, these individuals would support the management of Derwent London's central London property portfolio, covering operational performance, customer service and technical standards across both commercial and residential assets.

The challenge was not simply finding technically capable professionals — it was identifying candidates who would work well within Derwent London's collaborative culture and contribute to its reputation for property management done properly.

Given the pace of the restructure, speed mattered. The organisation needed experienced professionals in place quickly to maintain operational continuity, without compromising on quality.

Running several searches at once also carries a particular risk. Roles spanning leadership, technical services, residential and building-level operations each draw on a different candidate pool and need their own assessment criteria, so a single campaign only works if the recruiter already knows each of those markets well.

Our Approach

As specialist Facilities Management recruiters, Maxwell Stephens immediately mobilised a targeted executive search campaign, supported by our network of Facilities Management, Technical Services and Property professionals. Rather than relying solely on advertising, we combined:

• Executive search and targeted headhunting.
• Access to our specialist Facilities Management database.
• Market mapping across London's commercial property sector.
• Detailed competency-based candidate assessments.
• Cultural fit evaluation.
• Rapid interview coordination and client communication.

Our long-standing presence in the Facilities Management recruitment market meant we already knew many of the strongest candidates personally, which allowed us to move quickly while keeping recruitment standards high.

Each candidate was assessed not only against the technical requirements of the individual role, but also for leadership capability, customer focus, commercial awareness and alignment with Derwent London's values and working culture.

The Outcome

The campaign was completed quickly, with all four positions filled within two weeks.

The appointments brought experience across commercial property management, technical services, residential facilities management and operational leadership. Each candidate integrated rapidly into the business, providing immediate support following the restructure and helping to maintain continuity across Derwent London's property management operations.

The campaign enabled Derwent London to:

• Strengthen its Facilities Management leadership team.
• Maintain operational stability during a period of organisational change.
• Add technical and operational expertise across the property portfolio.
• Minimise disruption following the restructure.
• Continue delivering the high standards expected by tenants and stakeholders.

Candidate Testimonials

"I contacted Maxwell Stephens after seeing a job they were advertising. Within a week I had been interviewed and offered the position. They kept me informed throughout the entire process and made everything straightforward from start to finish. I would definitely recommend Maxwell Stephens."

"If you are looking for a Recruitment Agency that offers a professional & supportive experience from initial contact through to finding a job position, then working with Peter and the Maxwell Stephen’s team will be the perfect fit for you. I was made to feel prepared and comfortable throughout the whole process of job hunting and was put forward for interviews with companies offering amazing opportunities. Thank you Peter & team for all your hard work and dedication to finding the right job for me. You really made me feel at ease and confident."

Specialist Recruitment at Speed

Recruiting multiple specialist Facilities Management professionals simultaneously requires detailed market knowledge, an established network and the ability to move quickly without lowering the bar. Through sector expertise, an extensive candidate network and a consultative approach, Maxwell Stephens delivered four appointments within a short timeframe, helping Derwent London continue to manage one of London's most distinctive commercial property portfolios.

If you are planning a similar multi-role campaign — several Facilities Management appointments at different levels, against a tight deadline — Maxwell Stephens can help you scope each role and reach the right candidates quickly. Get in touch with our team.