Client Overview
The London Institute of Banking & Finance is a specialist education and professional development organisation with a long-established reputation for supporting the financial services sector through qualifications, training and learning programmes.
Operating across sites in London and Canterbury, the organisation required a senior facilities leader capable of overseeing premises management, venue operations, health and safety, procurement and service delivery across a multi-site estate.
To support its evolving operational needs, The London Institute of Banking & Finance required an experienced Head of Premises and Facilities Management who could provide both day-to-day leadership and long-term strategic direction.
The Challenge
The organisation required a Head of Premises and Facilities Management capable of balancing operational facilities delivery with strategic planning across three locations.
The successful candidate would be responsible for maintaining safe, efficient and high-performing environments while ensuring facilities services continued to support staff, learners, visitors and wider organisational objectives.
Key areas of responsibility included:
• Multi-site premises and facilities management
• Venue operations and service delivery
• Health, safety and statutory compliance
• Contractor and supplier management
• Procurement and contract negotiation
• Budget management and financial control
• Project management and workplace improvements
• Office relocations and refurbishment programmes
• Sustainability and environmental initiatives
• Team leadership and staff development
• Customer service and user experience
• Strategic facilities planning
The role required an individual capable of managing competing priorities while maintaining strong service standards and supporting the organisation through periods of change.
Strong leadership, compliance expertise and commercial awareness were essential, alongside the ability to operate collaboratively within a values-led organisation focused on adaptability, innovation and continuous improvement.
Our Approach
Understanding the Requirement
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with The London Institute of Banking & Finance to gain a detailed understanding of the operational requirements, strategic priorities and cultural expectations associated with the role.
The successful candidate would need to demonstrate strong facilities and venue management expertise, while also bringing the leadership capability required to manage teams and influence senior stakeholders.
Specialist Search Process
Drawing upon our extensive Facilities Management network, we conducted a targeted search focused on candidates with experience across:
• Multi-Site Facilities Management
• Premises Management
• Venue Operations
• Education and Professional Services Environments
• Health & Safety Compliance
• Contractor and Supplier Management
• Procurement and Budget Management
• Refurbishment and Relocation Projects
• Sustainability and Service Improvement
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates with proven experience leading facilities teams, managing complex projects and delivering high-quality service across multiple locations.
Candidate Assessment
Candidates were assessed against a comprehensive range of technical, operational and leadership competencies, including:
• Facilities and premises management expertise
• Venue management and operational delivery
• Health, safety and compliance knowledge
• Project and change management capability
• Procurement and contract management experience
• Budget management and financial oversight
• Team leadership and people development
• Stakeholder engagement and communication
• Sustainability and continuous improvement focus
Our assessment process focused on identifying an individual capable of delivering immediate operational value while supporting the organisation’s future premises strategy.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an experienced Head of Premises and Facilities Management with more than 10 years’ experience across multi-site facilities operations.
The successful candidate brought strong operational leadership, project management expertise and a proactive approach to service improvement.
Key strengths included:
• Extensive multi-site facilities management experience
• Strong health, safety and compliance expertise
• Proven leadership of permanent and temporary facilities teams
• Experience delivering office relocations and refurbishment projects
• Strong procurement and contractor negotiation capability
• Effective budget management and cost control skills
• Commitment to sustainability and operational innovation
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Following their appointment, the Head of Premises and Facilities Management assumed responsibility for the organisation’s facilities operations across London and Canterbury, helping strengthen service delivery, compliance and strategic planning.
Results Delivered
The appointment delivered significant benefits across The London Institute of Banking & Finance’s estate, including:
• Improved consistency of facilities operations across multiple sites
• Streamlined premises management processes
• Enhanced health, safety and compliance oversight
• Stronger contractor relationships and value-driven procurement
• Improved financial control across facilities services
• Enhanced planning for workplace improvement projects
• Strengthened facilities team capability through training and development
• Increased focus on sustainability and operational efficiency
The successful placement provided the organisation with a senior facilities leader capable of supporting both day-to-day operational performance and long-term estate planning.
Specialist Facilities & Premises Management Recruitment
Maxwell Stephens supports education providers, professional bodies, corporate occupiers and membership organisations with specialist recruitment solutions across facilities, premises and workplace management.
Our expertise includes:
• Head of Facilities Appointments
• Premises Management
• Multi-Site Facilities Leadership
• Venue Operations
• Health & Safety Compliance
• Contractor & Supplier Management
• Workplace Projects & Relocations
• Strategic Facilities Leadership
By combining specialist Facilities Management recruitment expertise with a deep understanding of education and professional services environments, we help organisations secure the leaders responsible for maintaining safe, efficient and high-performing places to work and learn.