Background & Client Overview
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Property Specialist to support a major review of its London office estate and the potential relocation of its operations.
As an independent regulator responsible for the safety and economic regulation of Britain’s railways and oversight of the strategic road network, ORR required a property professional capable of operating within a complex, highly accountable public-sector environment.
The appointment was strategically important. The successful candidate needed to provide expert guidance across property transformation, workplace change, Facilities Management, stakeholder engagement and project delivery, while helping ensure that any transition maintained operational continuity and delivered long-term value.
The Challenge
The Property Specialist role combined strategic property expertise with detailed operational responsibility.
ORR required someone capable of supporting a significant workplace transformation programme while continuing to ensure that core property and Facilities services remained safe, reliable and effective.
Key requirements included:
Property Transformation & Change Management
The successful candidate needed a strong track record of delivering large-scale property, Facilities or Estates projects, with particular experience in workplace transformation and organisational change.
Strategic Project Leadership
The role required the ability to operate within a structured project environment, developing plans, managing dependencies and supporting informed decision-making throughout the potential office relocation.
Senior Stakeholder Management
Excellent communication and influencing skills were essential. The Property Specialist would need to build effective relationships with senior executives, Board members, internal teams and other key stakeholders.
Facilities & Building Services Oversight
The role extended across essential workplace services including mechanical and electrical systems, office maintenance, health and safety and security.
Health & Safety Compliance
Strong knowledge of health and safety requirements was critical to ensuring both existing operations and any future property transition were managed safely and appropriately.
Cross-Government Collaboration
The successful candidate needed to work effectively with other government departments and external partners, coordinating property requirements within a broader public-sector framework.
Financial & Commercial Management
Budget management and value for money were important elements of the brief, requiring the candidate to balance operational requirements with responsible use of public resources.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens developed a targeted search for senior Property, Estates and Facilities professionals with proven experience in complex transformation programmes and large-scale workplace projects.
Given the strategic nature of the appointment, our assessment focused on candidates who could demonstrate:
- property transformation and relocation experience
- large-scale Estates and Facilities project delivery
- senior stakeholder and Board-level engagement
- health and safety expertise
- mechanical and electrical service oversight
- budget and commercial management
- change-management capability
- experience operating in structured or regulated environments
- strong communication and influencing skills
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying a professional capable of moving comfortably between strategic decision-making and detailed operational delivery.
Close collaboration with ORR throughout the recruitment process ensured shortlisted candidates remained aligned with the organisation’s technical requirements, project objectives and working culture.
Following a rigorous search and assessment process, Maxwell Stephens successfully placed an experienced Property Specialist.
Outcome & Impact
The successful appointment strengthened ORR’s capability to progress its London property transformation project while maintaining safe and effective workplace operations.
Stronger Property Transformation Leadership
The appointed Property Specialist brought substantial experience in Facilities Management and property transformation, providing the expertise required to support a complex office review and potential relocation.
Effective Stakeholder Engagement
Strong communication and relationship-management skills enabled the candidate to engage effectively with senior leaders, Board-level stakeholders and wider project partners.
Improved Project Coordination
The candidate’s experience operating within structured project environments supported a more organised approach to planning, decision-making and delivery.
Enhanced Health & Safety Oversight
A detailed understanding of health and safety requirements helped ensure property and Facilities activity remained appropriately controlled throughout the transformation programme.
Stronger Facilities Service Management
Oversight of mechanical, electrical, maintenance, security and other support services helped maintain reliable day-to-day operations while longer-term property decisions were being progressed.
Better Cross-Organisational Collaboration
The Property Specialist worked effectively with internal teams and other government stakeholders, supporting greater coordination across the project.
Greater Focus on Value for Money
Strong budgetary and commercial awareness helped ensure property decisions remained focused on achieving effective outcomes while delivering responsible value.
Outcome
The successful placement gave the Office of Rail and Road a Property Specialist capable of combining strategic property transformation, Facilities Management, stakeholder engagement, compliance and commercial judgement within a complex public-sector environment.
The appointment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ ability to recruit specialist Property and Estates professionals for high-profile transformation and relocation programmes, where operational continuity, governance and stakeholder confidence are critical.
Looking for an experienced Property, Estates or Facilities specialist to lead a workplace transformation or relocation project? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.