Background
Fresh Property Group is one of the UK's leading operators of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and build-to-rent (BTR) developments, managing a property portfolio valued at approximately £1.9 billion across the United Kingdom.
Running a diverse national estate of that kind depends on consistent standards of maintenance, statutory compliance, contractor management and day-to-day operational discipline. Fresh Property Group needed experienced facilities and property professionals capable of leading multi-site operations while holding service standards across an expanding portfolio.
Maxwell Stephens was initially invited to compete alongside several specialist recruitment firms to recruit a Southern Maintenance Manager. The success of that assignment marked the start of a long-term relationship, and Fresh Property Group subsequently appointed Maxwell Stephens as its exclusive recruitment partner for a series of senior facilities management and Health & Safety appointments.
The Challenge
Fresh Property Group needed recruitment support for several strategically important leadership positions, each responsible for keeping operations running well across its national property portfolio. Every appointment demanded candidates with strong technical expertise, commercial awareness and the leadership capability to manage geographically dispersed teams, complex contractor relationships and significant operational risk.
Residential estates of this type carry a particular compliance burden. Fire safety, statutory testing and defects on new-build stock all sit with the operator, and the residents are living in the buildings around the clock, so there is no quiet period in which to catch up. Leaders in these roles have to be as strong on governance as on getting things fixed.
Over the course of the partnership, Maxwell Stephens recruited several key positions, including:
Southern Maintenance Manager
This senior operational leadership role carried responsibility for the maintenance performance of Fresh Property Group's southern portfolio. Key responsibilities included:
- Planned and reactive maintenance.
- Statutory compliance and testing.
- Fire safety management.
- Contractor and supplier performance.
- Defects management.
- Mobilisation of new developments.
- Operational reporting.
- Client and stakeholder engagement.
The successful candidate needed significant multi-site maintenance leadership experience together with strong technical credibility and excellent organisational skills.
Senior Contracts Manager
Working within the central operational team, the Senior Contracts Manager provided commercial oversight and governance across several critical national contracts, covering:
- Utilities.
- Student internet services.
- Security.
- Insurance.
- Waste management.
This appointment required extensive procurement expertise, contract negotiation experience and the confidence to challenge suppliers while delivering long-term value across the estate.
Health & Safety Manager
Fresh Property Group also needed a senior Health & Safety professional to strengthen governance and embed a consistent compliance culture across the organisation. The successful candidate was responsible for:
- Developing company-wide Health & Safety policies.
- Improving statutory compliance.
- Enhancing operational systems and processes.
- Advising senior leaders and operational teams.
- Delivering practical Health & Safety support across multiple locations.
Our Approach
Rather than relying on high-volume recruitment, Maxwell Stephens ran a targeted executive search for each role, focused on professionals capable of delivering long-term value to the organisation. The process rested on four principles.
Understanding the Business
We invested time in developing a detailed understanding of Fresh Property Group's operational model, company culture and long-term objectives before starting each search.
Targeted Executive Search
Using our specialist facilities management network, we identified experienced professionals with backgrounds in:
- Multi-site facilities management.
- Hard services leadership.
- Compliance and statutory management.
- Contractor and supplier management.
- Property operations.
- Health & Safety leadership.
- Commercial contract management.
Rigorous Candidate Assessment
Every shortlisted candidate went through structured interviews assessing technical competence, leadership capability, commercial awareness, cultural alignment, communication skills, and motivation and long-term career aspirations. Rather than presenting large numbers of CVs, we delivered concise, decision-ready shortlists made up only of highly relevant candidates.
Ongoing Partnership
Our involvement extended beyond appointment, with continued support through onboarding to help each appointee settle into the organisation.
The Outcome
The appointment of the Southern Maintenance Manager demonstrated the quality of the process and established a strong working relationship with Fresh Property Group. Following that first assignment, Fresh Property Group chose to work exclusively with Maxwell Stephens, entrusting us with multiple senior appointments across facilities management, maintenance, contracts and Health & Safety.
Across every assignment, we delivered candidates who combined:
- Strong technical expertise.
- Commercial thinking.
- Multi-site operational leadership.
- Excellent stakeholder management.
- Cultural fit.
- Long-term leadership potential.
The result has been a trusted recruitment partnership built on quality, consistency and an in-depth understanding of the client's business, rather than transactional recruitment.
Building Long-Term Recruitment Partnerships
At Maxwell Stephens, we measure successful recruitment by long-term outcomes, not by the number of CVs submitted. The partnership with Fresh Property Group shows what specialist facilities management expertise can achieve when it is combined with a relationship-led executive search process for critical leadership positions.
Today, Fresh Property Group continues to view Maxwell Stephens as a trusted recruitment partner for senior facilities management and workplace appointments across its national portfolio.
Client Testimonial
"After using a variety of recruitment agencies over the years, Maxwell Stephens has become our trusted partner for all Facilities Management recruitment, from senior leadership appointments through to operational support roles. They genuinely understand our business—not just the technical skills required, but the type of people who succeed within our organisation. Where other agencies promise the earth, Maxwell Stephens consistently deliver. Their approach is structured, consultative and refreshingly focused on quality rather than volume. I would have no hesitation recommending them."
Mark Cutlan, Property Director, Fresh Property Group
If you operate a multi-site residential or commercial portfolio and need senior facilities, maintenance, contracts or Health & Safety leaders, Maxwell Stephens can help you build the team. Get in touch with our team.