Client Overview
Henderson Global Investors, now recognised as one of the world’s leading asset management organisations, has along-established reputation for delivering investment expertise across a diverse range of asset classes. Headquartered in London and operating internationally across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, the business required a senior Corporate Real Estate professional to support its continued growth and global workplace strategy.
As the organisation expanded its international footprint, Henderson sought to strengthen its Corporate Real Estate (CRE) function by appointing a Corporate Real Estate and Workspace Manager capable of driving portfolio optimisation, workplace consistency, and operational efficiency across its global estate.
The Challenge
This was a strategically important appointment requiring an experienced real estate and workplace professional capable of managing a complex international office portfolio while aligning property decisions with wider business objectives.
The successful candidate needed to combine strong commercial property expertise with facilities management knowledge, stakeholder management capability, and a deep understanding of corporate workplace strategy.
Key responsibilities included:
- Managing Henderson’s global leased office portfolio
- Overseeing lease events, acquisitions, renewals, disposals, and negotiations
- Maintaining and optimising corporate real estate data and portfolio performance
- Managing relationships with landlords, sub-tenants, and external advisors
- Supporting global workplace and occupancy strategies
- Overseeing office fit-outs, refurbishments, and infrastructure projects
- Managing operational and capital expenditure budgets
- Driving consistency across workplace environments globally
- Supporting business continuity and workplace resilience planning
- Aligning property strategy with organisational growth objectives
The role required a highly commercial individual capable of operating confidently across multiple jurisdictions while balancing operational requirements with long-term strategic planning.
Our Approach
Understanding the Requirement
We worked closely with Henderson’s leadership team to gain a detailed understanding of their international property portfolio, future growth plans, and workplace objectives.
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates with experience across:
- Corporate real estate portfolio management
- International office environments
- Lease negotiations and property transactions
- Facilities and workplace management
- Budget management and financial planning
- Workplace strategy and occupancy planning
- Business continuity and operational resilience
- Stakeholder engagement at senior level
Targeted Search Strategy
Leveraging our extensive network across the corporate real estate, workplace, and facilities management sectors, we undertook a targeted search focused on professionals with proven experience managing international property portfolios.
We prioritised candidates who demonstrated:
- Strong corporate real estate expertise
- Commercial property and lease management experience
- Strategic workplace planning capability
- Financial and budgetary control
- Project delivery experience
- Excellent stakeholder management skills
- Experience operating across multinational environments
Candidate Assessment
Candidates were rigorously assessed against both technical and leadership criteria, including:
- Portfolio management expertise
- Lease event management and negotiation capability
- Workplace strategy development
- Commercial and financial acumen
- Project management experience
- Communication and stakeholder engagement skills
The Outcome
We successfully appointed a highly experienced Corporate Real Estate and Workspace Manager who brought significant expertise in managing international office portfolios and workplace environments.
The successful candidate quickly established themselves as a key contributor to Henderson’s global real estate strategy, providing both strategic direction and operational oversight across the organisation’s property portfolio.
Results Delivered
Portfolio Optimisation
The appointed manager introduced greater visibility and control across the global office portfolio, supporting more informed decision-making around lease events, occupancy planning, and property strategy.
Improved Workplace Consistency
Through the development of global workplace standards, the candidate helped create a more consistent employee experience across international locations while supporting operational efficiency.
Stronger Landlord and Supplier Relationships
Effective management of landlords, serviced office providers, consultants, and external advisors strengthened commercial outcomes and improved service delivery across the estate.
Financial Control and Budget Management
The candidate successfully managed both operational and capital expenditure budgets, ensuring property investments aligned with business priorities and delivered value for money.
Enhanced Business Continuity Planning
By taking ownership of workplace and real estate components within the business continuity framework, the candidate helped strengthen organisational resilience and preparedness.
The Impact
The appointment provided Henderson Global Investors with the leadership required to manage a complex international property portfolio while supporting long-term business growth and workplace transformation.
Key benefits delivered included:
- Enhanced global real estate strategy and governance
- Improved lease management and portfolio performance
- Greater workplace consistency across international locations
- Stronger financial control and operational efficiency
- Improved stakeholder and supplier management
- Enhanced workplace resilience and business continuity planning
This successful placement highlights Maxwell Stephens’ expertise in recruiting senior corporate real estate, workplace, and facilities management professionals capable of supporting global organisations through growth, transformation, and operational excellence.