Client Overview
Fresh Property Group is a leading operator in the Purpose-Built Accommodation sector, managing a £1.9bn portfolio across the UK. Their estate spans both student accommodation and build-to-rent assets, requiring consistent operational standards across a complex, multi-site environment.
The Brief
Fresh Property Group initially engaged Maxwell Stephens—alongside several other recruitment agencies to support the appointment of a Southern Maintenance Manager, a critical operational leadership role within the business.
Following the successful delivery of this hire, Fresh Property Group made the decision to work exclusively with Maxwell Stephens on a series of senior recruitment projects over the subsequent years.
This transition from competitive instruction to exclusivity was driven by confidence in delivery, judgement, and understanding of the business—not volume of CVs.
Roles Delivered
Maxwell Stephens has since supported Fresh Property Group with the recruitment of several senior, business-critical positions.
Southern Maintenance Manager
A senior operational role with responsibility for maintenance and hard FM delivery across the southern portfolio. The remit included:
• Statutory compliance and testing
• Planned and reactive maintenance
• Contractor and supplier management
• Fire safety compliance
• Mobilisation of new developments
• Defects management
• Stakeholder and client liaison
The role required a technically credible leader with proven multi-site experience and the ability to maintain consistency across geographically dispersed assets.
Senior Contracts Manager
Appointed within the central services team, this role provided commercial and technical governance across key contracts, ensuring consistent service delivery and risk control across the estate.
Contracts included:
• Student internet provision
• Utilities
• Security
• Insurance
• Waste management
The successful candidate demonstrated strong procurement expertise, contract challenge capability, and the confidence to operate at a strategic level.
Health & Safety Manager
This role focused on embedding a consistent health and safety framework across the entire organisation.
Key objectives included:
• Organisation-wide policy implementation
• Ongoing statutory compliance development
• Systems improvement across a multi-site portfolio
• Providing specialist advice, coaching, and practical operational support
Candidate Profile & Delivery Focus
Across all appointments, Maxwell Stephens delivered candidates with:
• Proven senior-level or managerial experience
• Strong hard FM, compliance, and risk knowledge
• The ability to clearly communicate complex technical issues
• A pragmatic, commercially aware leadership style aligned with Fresh Property Group’s culture
Rather than volume, the focus remained on quality, relevance, and decision-ready shortlists.
Outcome
Following initial consultation, Maxwell Stephens provided a tailored shortlist of exceptional candidates for the Southern Maintenance Manager role. One candidate was offered and accepted the position.
Off the back of this successful appointment, Fresh Property Group moved to an exclusive partnership, continuing to work with Maxwell Stephens on senior recruitment projects over a number of years.
What the Client Said
“After using a variety of employment agencies in the past, I now use Maxwell Stephens for all my recruitment needs—from senior management to administration support.
The team understand our business, not just the skills required but the type of people that fit. Where other agencies promise the earth, Maxwell Stephens deliver.
Discussions are structured, focused, and detailed. It’s a refreshing change from being sent unvetted CVs that don’t meet our requirements. I would happily recommend Maxwell Stephens to everyone.”
— Mark Cutlan, Property Director, Fresh Property Group