Delivering a Facilities Manager to Support Workplace Transformation at WilkinsonEyre

Background

WilkinsonEyre is one of the UK's most respected architectural practices, internationally recognised for award-winning projects across the cultural, commercial, residential, infrastructure and education sectors. It has a collaborative studio culture and a reputation for innovation and design quality.

The practice engaged Maxwell Stephens to recruit a Facilities Manager who could support both its day-to-day workplace operations and a major office relocation programme. The appointment mattered for business continuity, for maintaining operational standards through the move, and for delivering a smooth transition into a new purpose-designed workspace.

The Challenge

WilkinsonEyre needed someone who could combine operational facilities management with the leadership and adaptability required to support a significant workplace transformation. With more than 190 employees and a planned move to a new self-contained headquarters near Old Street, the successful candidate would play a key role in preparing the organisation for one of its most important workplace developments. Key areas of responsibility included:

• Facilities and workplace management
• Office relocation and mobilisation planning
• Building operations and maintenance oversight
• Health, safety and compliance management
• Contractor and supplier management
• Landlord liaison and stakeholder engagement
• Snagging and post-occupation support
• Workplace experience and employee support
• Emergency preparedness and business continuity
• Building services and infrastructure coordination
• Office equipment, AV and operational support

The difficulty was the combination. Candidates who have run an office move and candidates who thrive on the hands-on work of a busy creative studio are not always the same people, and this role needed both.

Cultural fit was equally important. The practice wanted someone who would become an integral part of the business, building strong relationships across the studio and supporting a positive, collaborative workplace culture.

Our Approach

Understanding the requirement

Maxwell Stephens worked closely with WilkinsonEyre's leadership team to understand both the operational requirements of the role and the wider objectives of the relocation programme. The successful candidate would need strong technical capability and the interpersonal skills to thrive in a highly creative, people-focused environment.

Specialist search

Drawing on our facilities management network, we ran a targeted search focused on candidates with experience across corporate facilities management, workplace operations, office relocation and workplace change, health & safety compliance, contractor and supplier management, building operations, workplace experience, studio and creative environments, and property and workplace services. We prioritised individuals who combined operational expertise with a proactive, solutions-focused approach and strong stakeholder management.

Candidate assessment

Shortlisted candidates were assessed against technical and behavioural competencies:

• Technical — facilities and workplace management expertise, health, safety and compliance knowledge, building maintenance and operational support capability, and contractor management and procurement.
• Project — office relocation and mobilisation experience.
• Behavioural — stakeholder engagement and communication, problem-solving and organisational skills, and cultural fit and team integration potential.

The aim was to find candidates who could support the studio's immediate operational needs and the relocation programme at the same time.

The Outcome

Maxwell Stephens appointed an experienced Facilities Manager who closely matched the practice's technical, operational and cultural requirements. The successful candidate brought a strong background in workplace and facilities management, practical problem-solving ability and a highly collaborative approach. Key strengths included:

• Extensive experience managing complex office environments
• Strong health, safety and compliance expertise
• Proven workplace relocation and project management capability
• Hands-on facilities and operational support experience
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication
• A proactive, solutions-focused management style
• Strong cultural alignment with the organisation's values and working environment

Following their appointment, the Facilities Manager quickly integrated into the practice and took a leading role in preparations for the forthcoming office relocation. Working closely with the New Office Team, contractors, consultants and senior leadership, they have helped ensure the organisation is well positioned for a smooth transition. The appointment delivered benefits across WilkinsonEyre's workplace operations, including:

• Improved facilities and workplace management capability
• Strong leadership support for the office relocation programme
• Better coordination of landlord, contractor and stakeholder relationships
• Strengthened health, safety and compliance management
• Effective planning for workplace mobilisation and post-occupation activities
• Improved operational support for employees and studio teams
• Increased workplace readiness ahead of relocation
• Strong cultural integration within the organisation

WilkinsonEyre now has a Facilities Manager able to support both day-to-day operations and one of the most significant workplace projects in the practice's recent history.

Candidate Testimonial

“I've had a fantastic experience working with Maxwell Stephens. From the very beginning, Will and Peter have been incredibly attentive and supportive, consistently following up throughout the entire process. They checked in regularly, kept me updated at every stage, and made sure I always felt informed and prepared.

Their professionalism, communication and genuine care really set them apart. I truly appreciate their dedication and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a smooth and positive recruitment experience.”

Why This Placement Worked

Recruiting a Facilities Manager ahead of an office move is a different search from recruiting one to run a settled building. Relocation experience has to be real, but so does the willingness to do the hands-on work in the meantime, and the person has to fit a studio culture that will notice if they don't. Assessing all three from the outset is what made the appointment stick.

Maxwell Stephens supports architectural practices, professional services firms, corporate occupiers and creative organisations with specialist recruitment across facilities management, workplace management, office relocation & workplace change, health & safety, workplace experience, property & workplace services, contractor management and strategic facilities leadership. If you are recruiting a facilities role ahead of a move or workplace change programme, get in touch with our team.