Client Overview
Young Epilepsy is a national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people with epilepsy and related neurological conditions. Based on a substantial 300-acre campus, the organisation provides a unique combination of education, healthcare, residential care and specialist support services.
With a complex estate comprising 70 buildings and approximately 320,000 sq ft of accommodation, Young Epilepsy required an experienced Head of Facilities capable of leading a broad and strategically important function.
The Challenge
The Head of Facilities role was a critical appointment for the organisation.
Young Epilepsy needed a senior Facilities Management professional who could deliver the estate strategy, oversee major capital investment projects and ensure the campus remained safe, compliant, efficient and fit for purpose.
The successful candidate would be responsible for:
• Delivering the long-term estate strategy.
• Leading major capital projects ranging from £3 million to £9 million.
• Managing a multidisciplinary team of 40 across Estates, Health & Safety, Domestic Services and associated operational functions.
• Overseeing an annual budget of approximately £2.5 million.
• Managing facilities services across 70 buildings and 320,000 sq ft of estate.
• Ensuring statutory compliance, operational resilience and high standards of service delivery.
• Supporting an environment that enabled Young Epilepsy to continue delivering life-changing services.
Given the scale, sensitivity and complexity of the estate, the role required someone who could combine strategic leadership with hands-on operational understanding.
Our Approach
Maxwell Stephens developed a targeted recruitment campaign designed to identify senior Facilities Management professionals with significant estate leadership experience.
Our approach included:
• Detailed Role Analysis – Working closely with Young Epilepsy to understand the operational, strategic and cultural requirements of the appointment.
• Targeted Candidate Search – Identifying professionals with proven experience managing large, complex estates, ideally within education, healthcare, charity or similarly sensitive environments.
• Structured Assessment – Conducting detailed screening and multi-stage interviews to assess technical expertise, leadership capability, budget management, capital project experience and cultural fit.
• Stakeholder Collaboration – Maintaining close communication with Young Epilepsy's leadership team throughout the process to ensure the shortlist matched both the role requirements and the organisation's mission.
• Onboarding Support – Supporting a smooth transition for the appointed candidate into this complex and high-impact leadership role.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully placed a highly capable Head of Facilities who quickly made a positive impact across the estate.
The successful candidate has since:
• Delivered key elements of the estate strategy.
• Led major capital projects within agreed budgets and timescales.
• Provided strong leadership to a large multidisciplinary facilities team.
• Improved operational performance across the campus.
• Strengthened compliance, safety and service delivery.
• Supported a high-quality environment for students, residents, staff and visitors.
This appointment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens' ability to recruit senior Facilities Management leaders for complex, mission-led organisations where operational excellence directly supports the delivery of vital services.