Client Overview
Poundland & Dealz is one of Europe’s leading value retailers, operating an extensive portfolio of stores across the UK and Ireland. With a continued focus on growth, operational efficiency, and environmental responsibility, the business required a senior property leader too oversee its property services function while driving sustainability initiatives across the estate.
To support these objectives, Poundland & Dealz engaged us to recruit a Director of Property Services and Sustainability a strategically important appointment responsible for store development, facilities management, procurement, utilities, waste management, and environmental performance.
The Challenge
This was a highly specialised leadership role requiring a professional capable of overseeing a large and complex retail property portfolio while embedding sustainability into every stage of the property lifecycle.
The successful candidate needed to combine commercial acumen, strategic property expertise, and facilities management leadership with a strong track record in environmental sustainability.
Key responsibilities included:
- Leading the Property Services and Facilities Management function across the retail estate
- Overseeing new store developments, refurbishments, and fit-out programmes
- Driving operational efficiency across facilities, maintenance, utilities, and waste services
- Managing procurement strategies and supplier performance
- Delivering sustainability initiatives and environmental improvement programmes
- Reducing operational costs while maintaining high service standards
- Supporting compliance, governance, and risk management objectives
- Aligning property strategy with wider business growth plans
The appointment required a leader capable of balancing operational excellence with long-term strategic vision.
Our Approach
Understanding the Brief
We worked closely with Poundland & Dealz’s leadership team to gain a comprehensive understanding of the organisation’s property strategy, sustainability objectives, and operational priorities.
Particular focus was placed on identifying candidates with experience across:
- Retail property and estate management
- Facilities management leadership
- Store development and capital projects
- Procurement and supplier management
- Sustainability and ESG initiatives
- Multi-site operational environments
- Budget and commercial management
Targeted Executive Search
Leveraging our extensive facilities management and property network, we conducted a targeted search for senior leaders with proven experience managing large-scale retail estates.
We focused on candidates who demonstrated:
- Strategic property leadership capability
- Strong facilities management expertise
- Experience delivering sustainability programmes
- Commercial and financial acumen
- Supplier and contract management excellence
- A track record of driving operational efficiencies across complex portfolios
Rigorous Assessment Process
Each candidate underwent a comprehensive evaluation process, assessing both technical competence and cultural alignment.
Key areas of assessment included:
- Property and estate strategy
- Facilities management leadership
- Sustainability achievements
- Procurement and commercial performance
- Change management capability
- Stakeholder engagement and leadership style
The Outcome
Following an extensive search process, we successfully appointed a highly experienced Director of Property Services and Sustainability with an impressive track record across the retail sector.
The successful candidate brought more than a decade of experience leading property, facilities, and sustainability functions within complex multi-site environments and quickly established themselves as a key member of the senior leadership team.
Results Delivered
Enhanced Sustainability Performance
The new Director introduced a range of initiatives designed to reduce waste, improve environmental performance, and increase energy efficiency across the estate, supporting the organisation’s long-term sustainability goals.
Improved Facilities Management Operations
By strengthening supplier performance frameworks and introducing operational improvements, facilities services were delivered more consistently and efficiently across the portfolio.
Streamlined Store Development
The appointment helped improve the delivery of new store openings, refurbishments, and property projects, reducing programme timescales while maintaining quality standards.
Stronger Commercial Control
Enhanced procurement processes and supplier management strategies delivered improved value, supporting cost control and operational resilience across the business.
The Impact
The appointment has strengthened Poundland & Dealz’s ability to manage a growing property portfolio while embedding sustainability into everyday operations.
Key benefits delivered include:
- Improved property and facilities management performance
- Greater operational efficiency across the retail estate
- Enhanced sustainability and environmental outcomes
- Stronger supplier and contract management
- More effective store development and refurbishment delivery
- Increased alignment between property strategy and business objectives
This successful appointment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ expertise in recruiting senior property, facilities management, and sustainability leaders capable of driving operational excellence across large and complex estates.