Client Overview
Friends of the Earth (FoE) is one of the UK's leading environmental campaigning organisations, working to tackle climate change, protect nature and create a fairer, more sustainable future. With thousands of supporters, campaigners and partner organisations, Friends of the Earth has been at the forefront of environmental advocacy for more than 50 years.
As part of a major organisational transformation, Friends of the Earth embarked on an ambitious programme to relocate its London headquarters. The move represented far more than simply changing offices—it was an opportunity to create a modern, agile workplace that reflected the organisation's values, embraced new technology and supported new ways of working.
To help deliver this critical project, Friends of the Earth partnered with Maxwell Stephens to recruit a Senior Facilities Manager.
The Challenge
This was a high-profile appointment requiring an experienced Facilities professional capable of leading one of the organisation's most significant workplace transformation projects.
Reporting to the Resources & Finance Director, the successful candidate would play a central role in planning, coordinating and delivering the relocation while ensuring day-to-day facilities operations continued uninterrupted.
The successful individual would be responsible for:
- Co-leading the relocation of Friends of the Earth's London headquarters.
- Supporting the design and delivery of a modern, agile workplace.
- Managing workplace fit-out and refurbishment projects.
- Introducing innovative workplace technologies and smarter ways of working.
- Leading contractor procurement and project delivery.
- Managing budgets, programmes and project risks.
- Ensuring full Health & Safety and statutory compliance throughout the relocation.
- Developing workplace policies and operational procedures.
- Working closely with senior leadership, project teams and external consultants.
- Communicating project progress to senior stakeholders and executive leadership.
- Embedding sustainability principles throughout the relocation and workplace design.
The organisation required someone capable of combining strategic thinking with hands-on project delivery while remaining aligned with Friends of the Earth's environmental values and collaborative culture.
Our Approach
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with Friends of the Earth to gain a detailed understanding of the organisation's vision for its new headquarters and the leadership qualities required to deliver such a transformational programme.
Recognising that technical expertise alone would not be enough, we focused on identifying candidates who combined major project experience with strong stakeholder management skills and a genuine commitment to sustainability.
Our executive search targeted professionals with backgrounds in:
- Workplace transformation
- Corporate Facilities Management
- Office relocation projects
- Capital works and fit-outs
- Change management
- Sustainability and environmental initiatives
- Health & Safety leadership
- Corporate Real Estate
Every shortlisted candidate underwent a rigorous assessment covering:
- Project management capability
- Workplace strategy experience
- Leadership skills
- Communication and stakeholder engagement
- Budget management
- Sustainability credentials
- Cultural alignment with Friends of the Earth's mission and values
The Outcome
Following an extensive executive search, Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an experienced Senior Facilities Manager with an impressive track record of delivering complex workplace transformation programmes.
The successful candidate quickly became a key member of the relocation project team, providing strategic leadership while ensuring operational continuity throughout the transition.
Results Delivered
Successful Headquarters Relocation
The appointment played a leading role in the successful delivery of Friends of the Earth's London office relocation, helping ensure the project was completed efficiently with minimal disruption to business operations.
Modern Workplace Transformation
Working alongside senior stakeholders, the successful candidate helped create a flexible, collaborative and technology-enabled workplace designed to support agile working and future organisational growth.
Sustainability at the Heart of Delivery
Environmental responsibility remained central throughout the project, with sustainable workplace design, procurement and operational practices helping reinforce Friends of the Earth's wider organisational mission.
Strong Project Leadership
The relocation programme benefited from disciplined project governance, effective contractor management and clear communication with stakeholders at every stage of delivery.
Operational Continuity
Alongside managing a major capital project, the Senior Facilities Manager ensured that existing workplace services continued to operate effectively, maintaining a safe and productive environment for employees throughout the transition.
Executive Stakeholder Engagement
The successful candidate provided regular reporting and strategic advice to the Resources & Finance Director and senior leadership team, ensuring informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
The Impact
The appointment provided Friends of the Earth with an experienced Facilities leader capable of delivering a complex workplace transformation while supporting the organisation's long-term operational and environmental objectives.
The successful relocation created a modern, sustainable and highly collaborative workplace that reflects Friends of the Earth's values while providing employees with an environment designed for future ways of working.
This successful assignment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens' expertise in recruiting senior Facilities and Workplace professionals capable of delivering major office relocations, workplace transformation programmes and strategic change initiatives for purpose-driven organisations.