Background & Client Overview
Informa, a global knowledge and information services organisation, appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Facilities Manager for its central London offices at Maple House and KNect House.
Operating across publishing, events, training, market intelligence and specialist information services, Informa required a Facilities Management professional capable of maintaining a safe, efficient and high-quality workplace environment for employees, visitors and internal stakeholders.
The appointment was important to the day-to-day performance of both locations. The successful candidate needed to combine operational Facilities Management expertise, team leadership, health and safety knowledge, supplier management and strong stakeholder communication.
The Challenge
Informa required a Facilities Manager who could take ownership of a broad range of workplace and building services across two busy London offices.
The role demanded someone capable of maintaining consistently high service standards while managing employees, suppliers, compliance responsibilities and competing operational priorities.
Key requirements included:
Facilities Operations
Overseeing maintenance, security, cleaning, waste management and associated workplace services to ensure both offices remained safe, efficient and well maintained.
Team Leadership
Managing service coordinators and front-of-house employees, providing clear direction and maintaining consistently high standards of internal customer service.
Health & Safety Management
Taking responsibility for health and safety matters, including the development and implementation of policies, procedures and appropriate working practices.
Statutory Compliance
Ensuring Facilities Management activity complied with relevant statutory requirements, company standards and recognised best practice.
Supplier & Contract Management
Negotiating and managing Facilities Management contracts and suppliers, monitoring performance and ensuring services delivered appropriate quality and value.
Audit & Business Continuity
Participating in internal audits and contributing to business continuity planning to strengthen operational resilience.
Stakeholder Management
Acting as a key Facilities Management contact for internal stakeholders and ensuring workplace issues were communicated and resolved effectively.
Project & Priority Management
Managing multiple operational demands and Facilities projects while ensuring critical activities remained on schedule.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens conducted a targeted search for Facilities Management professionals with proven experience managing high-quality corporate office environments.
Using our specialist FM network, we identified candidates with relevant experience across workplace operations, team management, health and safety, supplier relationships and compliance.
Our assessment process placed particular emphasis on candidates who could demonstrate:
- previous responsibility for corporate office facilities
- strong people-management experience
- relevant IOSH training or qualifications
- sound knowledge of health and safety requirements
- supplier and contract-management capability
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- effective project management and prioritisation
- a professional and customer-focused approach
Technical capability was important, but cultural fit and communication were equally significant. Informa needed someone capable of building strong relationships with employees, senior stakeholders, service partners and front-of-house teams while taking clear ownership of Facilities Management performance.
Following a rigorous search and selection process, Maxwell Stephens successfully placed an experienced Facilities Manager with Informa.
Outcome & Impact
The successful candidate brought extensive Facilities Management experience, strong leadership capability and a detailed understanding of health and safety requirements.
Their appointment strengthened the management of both Maple House and KNect House across several important areas.
Stronger Facilities Operations
The Facilities Manager provided effective oversight of maintenance, security, cleaning, waste and other essential workplace services, helping maintain consistently high standards across both offices.
Improved Team Leadership
Clear management of service coordinators and front-of-house employees strengthened coordination and supported a professional, responsive service for employees and visitors.
Enhanced Health & Safety
The candidate’s knowledge and experience supported the effective management of health and safety responsibilities, helping ensure appropriate policies, procedures and controls remained in place.
Stronger Compliance
Greater oversight of statutory requirements and internal standards helped maintain a structured and proactive approach to Facilities Management compliance.
Improved Supplier Management
Effective negotiation and management of service providers strengthened contractor accountability and helped ensure suppliers continued to meet operational expectations.
Greater Operational Resilience
Participation in internal audits and business continuity planning supported Informa’s ability to prepare for disruption and maintain essential workplace services.
Stronger Stakeholder Communication
The Facilities Manager became an effective point of contact for workplace-related matters, improving communication between the Facilities function and internal stakeholders.
Effective Project Delivery
Strong prioritisation and project-management skills enabled the candidate to coordinate Facilities initiatives while continuing to manage the demands of day-to-day operations.
Outcome
The successful placement provided Informa with a Facilities Manager capable of balancing service delivery, compliance, supplier performance, people leadership and stakeholder expectations across two important London locations.
The assignment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ ability to identify Facilities Management professionals who can thrive within demanding corporate environments and deliver both operational reliability and a high-quality workplace experience.
Looking for an experienced Facilities Manager to strengthen your corporate workplace operations? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.