Background & The Challenge
Following the Regulatory Reform Act, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) embarked on one of the most significant organisational restructures in its history. The transition would see the organisation divided into two separate regulatory bodies: the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
As part of this transformation, the FSA required an exceptional Head of Property and Workplace to lead a complex workplace and estates programme that would support the relocation and integration of more than 1,100 employees.
This was far more than a traditional facilities management appointment. The successful individual would be responsible for delivering a strategic workplace transformation programme, overseeing large-scale employee relocations, managing stakeholder engagement across multiple business functions, and ensuring operational continuity throughout a period of significant organisational change.
The challenge was to identify a senior FM and workplace leader capable of balancing property strategy, workplace experience, cost control, change management and service delivery, while maintaining employee satisfaction and minimising disruption to critical business operations.
Our Approach
Understanding the Brief
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with the FSA to gain a detailed understanding of both the technical and leadership requirements of the role.
The successful candidate would be expected to:
• Develop and deliver a comprehensive workplace transition strategy
• Lead the relocation of more than 1,100 employees across multiple phases
• Manage one of the largest single employee moves involving approximately 650 staff
• Ensure continuity of workplace services throughout the programme
• Align workplace operations with the future vision, culture and structure of the newly formed organisations
• Deliver an employee-focused workplace experience during a period of significant change
• Maintain strong governance, budgetary control and stakeholder engagement
The role required a rare combination of strategic property expertise, workplace leadership capability and operational FM experience.
Executive Search & Market Mapping
Given the strategic importance of the appointment, Maxwell Stephens conducted a targeted executive search across both the public and private sectors.
Our search focused on senior property, workplace and facilities management leaders with proven experience in:
• Large-scale workplace transformation programmes
• Corporate real estate and portfolio management
• Employee relocation and change management initiatives
• Strategic facilities management leadership
• Multi-stakeholder environments
• Complex operational and regulatory settings
Through extensive market mapping and direct engagement, we identified a highly qualified shortlist of individuals with the capability to deliver against the FSA's objectives.
Assessment & Selection
Candidates were assessed against a range of critical competencies, including:
• Strategic workplace and property leadership
• Facilities management expertise
• Programme and project delivery
• Stakeholder management
• Change leadership
• Commercial and financial acumen
• Cultural alignment with the future PRA and FCA operating models
Our evaluation process included detailed competency interviews, leadership assessments and analysis of previous workplace transformation achievements.
Collaborative Partnership
Throughout the assignment, Maxwell Stephens worked in close partnership with key stakeholders across the FSA.
Regular progress reviews, market intelligence updates and candidate feedback sessions ensured complete alignment throughout the search process and enabled informed decision-making at every stage.
The Outcome
The search resulted in the successful appointment of an outstanding Head of Property and Workplace with the expertise, leadership capability and strategic vision required to support the organisation's transformation.
The appointed leader successfully delivered the relocation of more than 1,100 employees while maintaining business continuity and workplace service standards throughout the programme.
Key achievements included:
• Successful relocation of over 1,100 employees
• Largest individual move involving approximately 650 staff
• Relocation costs delivered at less than £100 per employee
• 98% employee move satisfaction rating
• Minimal disruption to operational performance and workplace services
• Successful alignment of workplace operations with the newly formed regulatory organisations
The appointment played a pivotal role in supporting one of the UK's most significant public-sector organisational transformations, demonstrating the value of securing experienced facilities management and workplace leadership during periods of major change.
Maxwell Stephens
As specialist Facilities Management and Workplace Recruitment Consultants, Maxwell Stephens understands the critical role that property, workplace and FM leaders play in organisational performance. From strategic workplace transformation programmes to complex operational environments, we help organisations secure the talent that keeps buildings, people and businesses performing at their best.