Client Overview
Vivienne Westwood is one of the world’s most iconic fashion brands, renowned for its creativity, innovation and influence on global fashion culture. Operating across a portfolio of corporate, retail and logistics facilities, the organisation requires high-performing workplace and property infrastructure to support its people, operations and continued growth.
To support the effective management of its London estate, Vivienne Westwood required an experienced Maintenance Supervisor capable of overseeing maintenance operations across three key locations: Elcho Street Headquarters, Merton Warehouse and Conduit Street Office and Boutique.
The role was critical in ensuring operational continuity, statutory compliance and the long-term performance of the organisation’s building assets while supporting the evolution of a more strategic and technology-enabled maintenance function.
The Challenge
Vivienne Westwood required a highly versatile Maintenance Supervisor capable of balancing hands-on maintenance delivery with contractor management, compliance oversight and long-term maintenance planning.
The successful candidate would be responsible for supporting a diverse portfolio of sites, each with distinct operational requirements and stakeholder needs.
Key areas of responsibility included:
• Multi-site maintenance management
• Planned and reactive maintenance delivery
• Building fabric and engineering services support
• Health, safety and statutory compliance
• Contractor and supplier management
• Asset maintenance planning
• Minor works and refurbishment coordination
• Maintenance reporting and documentation
• CMMS implementation and optimisation
• Preventative maintenance development
• Emergency response and operational support
The role required an individual with strong technical knowledge, practical maintenance expertise and the ability to work effectively across multiple locations while maintaining high service standards.
The organisation also sought to move towards a more proactive, data-driven maintenance model, making experience with maintenance systems and asset management processes highly desirable.
Our Approach
Understanding the Requirement
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with Vivienne Westwood to gain a detailed understanding of the operational challenges and future objectives associated with the role.
The successful candidate would need to demonstrate strong hands-on maintenance experience while also supporting the development of more structured maintenance processes and reporting systems.
Specialist Search Process
Drawing upon our extensive Facilities Management and Maintenance network, we conducted a targeted search focused on candidates with experience across:
• Multi-site Facilities Maintenance
• Building Fabric Maintenance
• Mechanical and Electrical Services
• Workplace and Commercial Environments
• Health & Safety Compliance
• Contractor Management
• Planned Preventative Maintenance
• Asset Management
• Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates capable of operating independently, managing competing priorities and contributing to long-term maintenance improvements.
Candidate Assessment
Candidates were assessed against a range of technical and behavioural competencies, including:
• Practical maintenance and repair experience
• Health, safety and compliance knowledge
• Contractor supervision and coordination
• Maintenance planning and scheduling
• Asset management awareness
• Problem-solving and fault diagnosis
• Communication and stakeholder management
• Organisational capability and attention to detail
Our assessment process focused on securing an individual capable of delivering immediate operational support while contributing to the organisation’s wider facilities strategy.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an experienced Maintenance Supervisor who closely aligned with both the operational requirements and long-term objectives of the organisation.
The successful candidate brought extensive practical maintenance experience, strong compliance knowledge and a proactive approach to facilities management.
Key strengths included:
• Multi-site maintenance management experience
• Strong building fabric and technical maintenance knowledge
• Proven contractor management capability
• Health, safety and compliance expertise
• Experience supporting planned preventative maintenance programmes
• Strong organisational and reporting skills
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach to operational challenges
Following their appointment, the Maintenance Supervisor assumed responsibility for maintenance operations across all three sites, helping to improve maintenance performance, operational reliability and service consistency.
Results Delivered
The appointment delivered significant benefits across Vivienne Westwood’s London estate, including:
• Enhanced management of planned and reactive maintenance activities
• Improved contractor performance and oversight
• Strengthened compliance with health, safety and statutory obligations
• Increased focus on preventative maintenance planning
• Improved maintenance reporting and asset visibility
• Support for the implementation and optimisation of a CMMS platform
• Reduced reliance on reactive maintenance interventions
• Enhanced operational efficiency across multiple locations
The successful placement provided Vivienne Westwood with a maintenance professional capable of supporting both day-to-day operational requirements and the ongoing transformation of its maintenance and facilities management function.
Specialist Facilities & Maintenance Recruitment
Maxwell Stephens supports corporate occupiers, retailers, property owners and commercial organisations with specialist recruitment solutions across facilities, engineering and maintenance disciplines.
Our expertise includes:
• Maintenance Management
• Facilities Management
• Technical Services
• Building Maintenance
• Hard Services Operations
• Compliance & Health & Safety
• Asset & Maintenance Planning
• Property & Workplace Services
By combining specialist Facilities Management recruitment expertise with a deep understanding of maintenance operations and asset performance, we help organisations secure the professionals responsible for maintaining safe, efficient and high-performing workplaces.