Overview
We were engaged to successfully recruit a Maintenance Supervisor for the iconic fashion brand Vivienne Westwood. The role was critical in ensuring the smooth operation and long-term upkeep of three key London-based sites: Elcho Street (Head Office), Merton (Warehouse), and Conduit Street (Office/Boutique).
The position required a hands-on, proactive maintenance professional capable of balancing day-to-day reactive works with strategic long-term planning, while supporting the evolution of a more data-driven maintenance function.
The Challenge
The client required a highly versatile Maintenance Supervisor who could:
• Manage maintenance across multiple sites with varying operational needs
• Carry out practical “hands-on” maintenance tasks (plumbing, electrical, decorating, painting)
• Coordinate and supervise external contractors effectively
• Maintain compliance with strict Health & Safety regulations
• Respond quickly to reactive maintenance issues while also contributing to long-term planning
• Support the introduction of a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
• Help transition the organisation towards more preventative, data-led maintenance practices
The ideal candidate needed to combine technical ability, organisational skills, and strong communication across multiple stakeholders and locations.
Our Approach
We undertook a targeted search strategy focused on experienced facilities and maintenance professionals with multi-site exposure and strong technical backgrounds.
We prioritised candidates who demonstrated:
• Proven hands-on maintenance experience across building systems
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety compliance and statutory requirements
• Experience coordinating contractors and managing planned works
• Familiarity with maintenance tracking systems and digital tools (CMMS exposure desirable)
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with strong organisational ability
• Flexibility to support operational needs, including out-of-hours response and site travel
A thorough screening and interview process ensured only candidates with the right blend of practical capability and strategic awareness were presented.
The Outcome
We successfully placed a Maintenance Supervisor who met both the immediate operational needs and the client’s longer-term strategic vision.
The appointed candidate is now responsible for:
• Delivering daily maintenance across all three sites
• Supporting Health & Safety compliance and statutory testing regimes
• Managing contractors and ensuring high-quality completion of works
• Assisting in the rollout and optimisation of a CMMS platform
• Contributing to a shift towards preventative maintenance planning
• Enhancing reporting, tracking, and maintenance performance insights
Impact
This appointment has strengthened the client’s internal maintenance capability by combining hands-on operational expertise with a forward-thinking approach to facilities management. The successful candidate is helping to improve efficiency, reduce reactive maintenance demand, and support the digital transformation of maintenance processes.