Case Study: Fresh Property Group
Client Overview
Client: Fresh Property Group
Sector: Purpose-Built Accommodation (Student & Build-to-Rent)
Assets Under Management: £1.9bn (UK-wide portfolio)
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, technical, and compliance 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 business-critical operational leadership role.
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 subsequent years.
This transition from competitive instruction to exclusivity was driven by confidence in our delivery, judgement, and depth of understanding of the business—not volume of CVs.
Roles Delivered
Southern Maintenance Manager
A senior operational role with full accountability for maintenance and hard FM delivery across Fresh Property Group’s 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 consistent service standards across geographically dispersed assets.
Senior Contracts Manager
Operating within the central services team, this role provided commercial and technical governance across key contracts, ensuring consistency, value, and risk control across the estate.
Contracts within scope included:
- Student internet provision
- Utilities
- Security
- Insurance
- Waste management
The successful candidate demonstrated strong procurement expertise, contract challenge capability, and the confidence to manage complex supplier relationships at a strategic level.
Health & Safety Manager
This appointment 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 and process improvement across a multi-site portfolio
- Providing specialist advice, coaching, and practical operational support to site teams
Candidate Profile & Delivery Focus
Across all appointments, Maxwell Stephens delivered candidates who combined technical credibility, commercial awareness, and cultural alignment.
Successful candidates consistently demonstrated:
- Proven senior-level or managerial experience
- Strong hard FM, compliance, and risk knowledge
- The ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly
- A pragmatic, delivery-focused leadership style aligned with Fresh Property Group’s culture
Rather than volume, the focus remained on quality, relevance, and decision-ready shortlists.
The Maxwell Stephens Approach
Our approach is built on a simple principle: depth beats volume.
For Fresh Property Group, this meant:
- Clarifying the role – developing an accurate, operationally realistic brief
- Attracting the right audience – clear, compelling role messaging
- Rigorous screening – structured interviews assessing capability, motivation, and cultural fit
- Shortlist delivery – well-vetted candidates, not CV volume
- Post-placement support – ensuring successful integration after appointment
This process is underpinned by a relationship-led candidate network, detailed role knowledge, and ongoing engagement with both clients and candidates.
Outcome
Following initial consultation, Maxwell Stephens delivered a tailored shortlist of high-calibre 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 multiple 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 through to administration support.
The team understand our business—not just the skills required for each role, but the type of people that fit. Where other agencies promise the earth, Maxwell Stephens deliver.
Discussions are open, structured, and focused on detail. 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