Background
Founded in 1888, the Financial Times (FT) is one of the world's most respected business news organisations, renowned globally for its authoritative journalism, integrity and insight. As part of Nikkei Inc., the FT serves millions of readers worldwide through its print, digital and events businesses, operating from its iconic London headquarters while maintaining an international presence across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Maxwell Stephens had already established a successful working relationship with the FT's Global Head of Facilities Management, having previously delivered high-quality recruitment assignments at another organisation. Following those successful appointments, we were once again appointed to recruit two key members of the Workplace & Facilities team:
- Facilities Manager
- Assistant Facilities Manager
The Challenge
The Financial Times required two experienced Facilities Management professionals capable of supporting a fast-paced, high-profile corporate headquarters where operational excellence, exceptional customer service and business continuity are essential.
Both roles were central to the day-to-day management of workplace services, ensuring employees, visitors and stakeholders experienced a safe, efficient and welcoming working environment.
Collectively, responsibilities included:
- Supporting the delivery of all Facilities Management services across the office.
- Managing relationships with internal stakeholders and business leaders.
- Leading contractor and supplier performance.
- Supporting Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP) service delivery.
- Managing Reception, Front of House and Security operations.
- Coordinating planned and reactive maintenance.
- Supporting CAT B fit-out and workplace refurbishment projects.
- Leading Health & Safety compliance, including risk and DSE assessments.
- Managing operational budgets and supplier performance.
- Ensuring consistently high workplace standards throughout the building.
The Facilities Manager role also carried significant leadership responsibilities, including team management, performance reviews and driving continuous improvement across multiple operational service lines.
Our Approach
Building on our existing relationship with the Financial Times, Maxwell Stephens undertook a targeted executive search to identify Facilities Management professionals with experience operating within premium corporate environments.
Technical capability formed only part of the assessment.
The Financial Times sought individuals who combined strong operational expertise with exceptional customer service, leadership capability and the ability to build trusted relationships across a dynamic and fast-moving organisation.
Our search focused on candidates with:
- Corporate Facilities Management experience.
- Office fit-out and workplace project experience.
- Contractor and supplier management expertise.
- Strong Health & Safety knowledge.
- Experience managing Front of House, Security and Workplace Services.
- Technical understanding of building services and MEP operations.
- Leadership and people management capability.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
Each candidate was carefully evaluated against both the technical requirements of the role and the collaborative culture of the Financial Times.
The Outcome
Following a comprehensive recruitment campaign, Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed both a Facilities Manager and an Assistant Facilities Manager, delivering two high-calibre professionals who closely matched the Financial Times' operational and cultural requirements.
Both candidates brought extensive experience managing workplace environments and demonstrated the professionalism, initiative and customer focus required to support one of the world's leading media organisations.
Since joining the Financial Times, they have contributed significantly by:
- Maintaining exceptional workplace standards across the London headquarters.
- Strengthening contractor and supplier performance.
- Supporting office refurbishment and workplace improvement projects.
- Delivering outstanding customer service to employees and visitors.
- Managing Health & Safety compliance and workplace risk.
- Supporting business continuity and operational resilience.
- Developing strong relationships across the wider business.
The successful appointments further reinforced the long-standing relationship between Maxwell Stephens and the Financial Times, demonstrating the value of specialist Facilities Management recruitment built on trust, quality and long-term partnership.
Long-Term Recruitment Partnerships Deliver Better Results
Many of our clients return to Maxwell Stephens because we take the time to understand their organisation, culture and long-term objectives.
Our previous successful work with the Financial Times' Global Head of Facilities Management meant we were able to move quickly, identify the right individuals and deliver two outstanding appointments who continue to support the smooth operation of one of the world's most respected media organisations.