Background
Derwent London is the UK's largest Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) focused exclusively on central London commercial property. Renowned for its design-led approach, the company has built an outstanding reputation for transforming and repositioning landmark buildings through innovative refurbishment, regeneration and development projects.
Working alongside some of the world's leading architects, designers and engineering consultants, Derwent London continually creates high-quality workplaces that attract prestigious occupiers while delivering long-term value for investors. Sustainability, operational excellence and exceptional customer experience sit at the heart of every project.
Maxwell Stephens was appointed to recruit an FM Project Manager to join Derwent London's Property Management team and support the successful delivery of projects across its prime central London portfolio.
The Challenge
The FM Project Manager role was a strategically important appointment, bridging the gap between development and operational Facilities Management.
The successful candidate would be responsible for ensuring that refurbishment and development projects were delivered with operational excellence in mind, supporting seamless handovers while protecting the long-term performance of Derwent London's buildings.
Key responsibilities included:
- Managing multiple refurbishment and improvement projects across the central London portfolio.
- Supporting project delivery from concept through to operational handover.
- Working closely with development, asset management and property management teams.
- Managing consultant, contractor and supplier relationships.
- Reviewing development proposals to ensure operational efficiency and maintainability.
- Supporting mobilisation of new developments and refurbished buildings.
- Managing project budgets, programmes and risk.
- Ensuring compliance with health & safety legislation, including CDM Regulations 2015.
- Supporting Derwent London's ambitious sustainability and Net Zero Carbon objectives.
The role required a rare combination of project management expertise, technical Facilities Management knowledge and commercial property experience.
Equally important was finding someone who would fit Derwent London's collaborative, design-focused culture while confidently engaging with senior stakeholders, consultants and contractors.
Our Approach
Drawing upon our specialist Facilities Management network, Maxwell Stephens conducted a targeted search across the commercial real estate and property sectors to identify candidates with experience delivering complex FM and building projects within high-profile commercial environments.
Our search focused on professionals who could demonstrate:
- Significant project management experience across commercial property portfolios.
- Strong operational Facilities Management expertise.
- Experience working alongside development and construction teams.
- Knowledge of building services including HVAC, electrical systems, fire and life safety, security and building management systems.
- Strong commercial awareness and contract management capability.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- A proactive approach to sustainability, energy efficiency and Net Zero initiatives.
Each shortlisted candidate underwent a rigorous competency-based assessment to evaluate their technical capability, leadership style, commercial understanding and ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully recruited an exceptional FM Project Manager who brought extensive experience delivering Facilities Management projects across prestigious commercial property portfolios.
The successful candidate quickly became an integral member of Derwent London's Property Management team, successfully overseeing projects from initial planning through to operational handover while maintaining the company's exceptionally high standards.
Since joining Derwent London, they have played a key role in:
- Successfully delivering multiple refurbishment and improvement projects across the portfolio.
- Strengthening collaboration between development, property management and operational teams.
- Improving project mobilisation and operational readiness.
- Managing consultant and contractor performance to the highest standards.
- Supporting Derwent London's sustainability strategy by embedding environmental considerations throughout project delivery.
- Ensuring projects are delivered safely, on programme, within budget and with minimal disruption to occupiers.
This successful appointment highlights Maxwell Stephens' expertise in recruiting highly specialised Facilities Management professionals for complex commercial property environments, combining deep sector knowledge with a targeted search strategy to secure outstanding long-term appointments.