Facilities Manager for Gatehouse Chambers

Background

Gatehouse Chambers, formerly known as Hardwicke, is a barristers' chambers based in Gray's Inn, London. In July 2021, the Chambers relocated to newly refurbished premises at 1 Lady Hale Gate, an important period of change and growth for the organisation.

Following the move, Gatehouse Chambers appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Facilities Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day operation, maintenance and compliance of the new building. The role was central to keeping the premises safe, efficient, well maintained and professionally presented, while supporting barristers, employees, clients and visitors within a demanding legal environment.

The Challenge

Gatehouse Chambers needed a Facilities Manager able to take ownership of a broad operational remit within newly refurbished premises, combining facilities management expertise with health and safety knowledge, contractor management, administration, problem-solving and strong stakeholder communication.

The key requirements were:

• Building and facilities management. Overseeing the daily operation of the premises and ensuring building services, workplace facilities and communal areas remained fully functional.
• Health and safety compliance. Maintaining appropriate policies, procedures and documentation, and ensuring the Chambers met relevant statutory requirements.
• Maintenance management. Coordinating planned and reactive maintenance so that building issues were identified and resolved promptly.
• Contractor and supplier management. Managing relationships with maintenance contractors, service providers and other external suppliers, and monitoring service standards and performance.
• Problem-solving. Anticipating potential operational issues and responding quickly and effectively when problems arose.
• Administrative management. Maintaining accurate facilities records, documentation and operational processes to support the effective running of the building.
• Stakeholder relationships. Building productive relationships with barristers, employees, suppliers and external professionals, with the discretion and professionalism expected within a leading chambers.
• Priority management. Balancing multiple competing demands while keeping close attention to detail and completing essential facilities responsibilities on time.

Newly refurbished premises add a further dimension. In general, the first facilities manager into a building of this kind has to establish maintenance routines, contractor arrangements and compliance records from a standing start rather than inherit a working regime, which places a premium on organisation and initiative.

Our Approach

Maxwell Stephens built a targeted search around the specific requirements of Gatehouse Chambers and its new premises.

Understanding the Requirement

We worked closely with the Practice Operations Director to understand the operational priorities of the role, the expectations surrounding the new building and the culture of the Chambers. This gave us a clear candidate profile covering both technical capability and interpersonal fit.

Targeted Candidate Search

Using our specialist facilities management network and focused advertising, we identified professionals with strong experience across building operations, compliance, contractor management and high-quality professional environments. We paid particular attention to candidates accustomed to workplaces where discretion, responsiveness and service quality are essential.

Detailed Assessment

Candidates were assessed on their:

• facilities management experience
• health and safety knowledge
• building-maintenance capability
• contractor and supplier management
• problem-solving skills
• organisational ability
• stakeholder communication
• attention to detail
• ability to manage competing priorities
• cultural fit with Gatehouse Chambers

Multiple interviews allowed us to test both technical competence and the behaviours needed to succeed within a barristers' chambers. Following this process, Maxwell Stephens presented a shortlist of candidates who showed strong alignment with the operational requirements and values of Gatehouse Chambers.

The Outcome

Maxwell Stephens placed an experienced Facilities Manager with a strong background in facilities management, health and safety and contractor relationships. The appointment gave Gatehouse Chambers:

• Stronger building management. Dedicated oversight of the new premises, helping ensure the building remained well maintained and operationally effective.
• Enhanced health and safety. Strong compliance knowledge supported a structured approach to workplace safety and ensured relevant responsibilities were managed appropriately.
• Improved contractor management. Effective relationships with contractors and service providers supported reliable maintenance and stronger service delivery.
• Proactive problem-solving. The ability to anticipate issues and respond quickly helped minimise disruption and keep day-to-day operations running smoothly.
• Stronger stakeholder relationships. Good communication enabled the Facilities Manager to build productive relationships across the Chambers and with external professionals.
• Greater operational control. Organisation and attention to detail ensured competing priorities, administrative responsibilities and facilities requirements were coordinated effectively.

The placement provided Gatehouse Chambers with a Facilities Manager able to combine building operations, compliance, contractor management, administration and high-quality stakeholder service within a legal environment. It was particularly important following the move to 1 Lady Hale Gate, giving the Chambers dedicated facilities leadership to support the continued operation and development of its new premises.

Why This Placement Worked

Legal and professional services organisations set a higher bar for facilities appointments than the job description alone suggests. Technical competence is the entry requirement; what separates the right candidate is the discretion, responsiveness and attention to detail expected in a chambers where barristers, clients and visitors judge the building every day. Defining that standard with the Practice Operations Director at the outset, and assessing for it directly, is what allowed the search to reach a candidate who fitted the Chambers as well as the role.

If you are recruiting a Facilities Manager for a legal or professional workplace, Maxwell Stephens can help you define the brief and reach candidates who combine technical capability with the standards your environment demands. Get in touch with our team.