Background & Client Overview
Kentro Capital Ltd, incorporating Nexus Underwriting Ltd and Xenia Broking, is a specialist insurance group operating across the London market and internationally.
With a global network of 16 offices and more than 305 employees, the organisation was pursuing continued growth, including expansion through strategic acquisitions. As the business developed, maintaining a consistent workplace experience and preserving the distinctive Kentro, Nexus and Xenia culture across multiple locations became increasingly important.
Maxwell Stephens was appointed to recruit a senior Facilities Management professional capable of supporting this international estate while protecting both the operational and commercial interests of the business.
The successful candidate needed to combine Facilities Management, property and lease expertise, project delivery, acquisition support, compliance and stakeholder management within a fast-paced and expanding organisation.
The Challenge
Kentro Capital required a Facilities Management professional capable of managing a broad and strategically important property remit across an international portfolio.
The role went well beyond traditional day-to-day FM. The successful candidate needed to support business expansion, property transactions and acquisitions while ensuring offices remained safe, welcoming, commercially viable and aligned with the Group’s culture.
Key requirements included:
International Facilities Management
Maintaining consistent Facilities and workplace standards across a geographically dispersed portfolio of offices.
Brand & Workplace Experience
Ensuring each location reflected the culture and identity of Kentro, Nexus and Xenia while providing employees with a professional, welcoming and productive environment.
Lease & Property Management
Managing lease arrangements and property obligations while ensuring individual offices continued to support the organisation’s operational and commercial requirements.
Contract Negotiation
Negotiating property and Facilities contracts to secure appropriate service levels, commercial terms and value for money.
Acquisition Due Diligence
Supporting the Group’s acquisition strategy by reviewing property and Facilities implications associated with potential transactions.
Property Maintenance
Ensuring buildings and workplace services were properly maintained and that operational issues were addressed efficiently.
Premises Projects
Leading workplace and property projects, including changes arising from growth, relocations, acquisitions or wider business requirements.
Health & Safety Compliance
Maintaining appropriate health and safety standards across the office portfolio and ensuring relevant responsibilities were clearly understood.
Operational Policies & Guidelines
Developing consistent Facilities procedures and operational guidance to support effective management across multiple locations.
Stakeholder Management
Building productive relationships with employees, senior leaders, landlords, service providers and other stakeholders across the international business.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens conducted a targeted search for Facilities and Property professionals with experience operating across international, multi-site corporate environments.
Given Kentro Capital’s ambitious acquisition strategy, the candidate required a broader commercial and property skill set than would typically be expected from a conventional Facilities Management role.
Our assessment focused on experience in:
- international and multi-site Facilities Management
- commercial property and lease management
- contract negotiation
- acquisitions and property due diligence
- premises and workplace projects
- supplier and contractor management
- health and safety compliance
- policy and process development
- senior stakeholder engagement
- organisational growth and change
Strong communication and problem-solving skills were essential.
Kentro Capital required someone capable of working across different business units and geographies while maintaining a consistent approach to service quality, workplace culture and commercial decision-making.
Following a comprehensive search and selection process, Maxwell Stephens successfully placed a highly capable Facilities Management professional who closely matched Kentro Capital’s requirements.
Outcome & Impact
The successful appointment strengthened Kentro Capital’s Facilities and Property capability across its growing international portfolio.
Greater Consistency Across Global Offices
The new Facilities lead helped create a more coordinated approach to workplace operations across the Group’s international locations, supporting greater consistency while respecting local requirements.
Stronger Brand & Cultural Alignment
Facilities and workplace decisions were managed with greater consideration for the identity of Kentro, Nexus and Xenia, helping maintain a consistent employee experience as the Group expanded.
Improved Employee Experience
A proactive approach to workplace management helped create more welcoming and functional office environments, supporting employee satisfaction and productivity.
Stronger Commercial Property Management
The candidate’s property and commercial expertise strengthened the management and negotiation of leases and contracts, helping protect Kentro Capital’s financial interests.
Better Support for Acquisitions
Facilities and property considerations were incorporated into acquisition activity, providing greater insight into the operational implications of potential transactions.
Improved Premises Management
Stronger oversight of maintenance, suppliers and workplace projects helped improve the reliability and performance of the office portfolio.
Enhanced Compliance
A structured approach to health and safety and operational procedures supported stronger governance across multiple locations.
More Proactive Facilities Support
The successful candidate helped develop a responsive support culture, ensuring workplace issues were identified and addressed effectively as the organisation continued to grow.
Outcome
The successful placement provided Kentro Capital with a Facilities Management professional capable of supporting both the day-to-day performance and strategic development of a growing international property portfolio.
The appointment combined Facilities Management, commercial property expertise, acquisition support, workplace strategy and stakeholder engagement, helping ensure Kentro Capital’s offices remained operationally effective, financially viable and aligned with the culture of the wider Group.
The assignment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ ability to recruit Facilities and Property professionals for fast-growing international organisations, where workplace strategy must evolve alongside acquisitions, organisational change and geographic expansion.
Looking for an experienced Facilities or Property professional to support a growing international business? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.