Client Overview
HPS Services FM Ltd is one of the UK’s leading providers of integrated facilities management services to the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and higher education sectors. Supporting a nationwide portfolio and employing more than 500 people, the business has built a strong reputation for operational excellence, service quality and sector expertise.
Alongside HPS, Edozo Ltd is an innovative property technology business providing automated data, valuation and workflow solutions to UK property consultancies. Positioned within the rapidly evolving PropTech market, Edozo has ambitious growth plans supported by a clear long-term strategy.
As both organisations entered a significant period of expansion, they required an experienced Group Finance Director capable of providing strategic financial leadership across two complementary but operationally distinct businesses.
The Challenge
This was a highly specialised senior leadership appointment requiring a finance professional capable of operating across both facilities management and technology sectors.
The successful candidate would be responsible for overseeing the financial direction of two growing organisations while supporting ambitious commercial objectives, operational scalability and long-term value creation.
Key areas of responsibility included:
• Group financial leadership
• Strategic business planning
• Financial reporting and governance
• Cash flow and liquidity management
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Performance reporting and KPI development
• Multi-entity finance management
• Team leadership and development
• Operational efficiency and margin improvement
• Mergers, acquisitions and investment readiness
• Exit planning and value creation initiatives
• Stakeholder engagement and board-level reporting
The role demanded an individual capable of balancing hands-on financial management with strategic leadership while supporting two businesses operating within different sectors and growth cycles.
Strong commercial awareness, leadership capability and experience supporting businesses through periods of transformation and expansion were essential.
Our Approach
Understanding the Requirement
Maxwell Stephens worked closely with senior stakeholders across both organisations to gain a comprehensive understanding of their growth objectives, financial structures and long-term strategic plans.
The successful candidate would need to operate confidently across multiple business models while providing clear financial leadership and supporting future expansion initiatives.
Executive Search Process
Drawing upon our extensive network across Facilities Management, Property Services and Professional Services sectors, we conducted a targeted search focused on senior finance leaders with experience in:
• Multi-entity finance leadership
• Growth and scale-up environments
• Facilities Management businesses
• Professional and technology services
• Strategic financial planning
• Operational transformation
• M&A activity and transaction support
• Exit preparation and value optimisation
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying candidates with strong commercial instincts, proven leadership capability and the ability to influence strategic decision-making at board level.
Candidate Assessment
Candidates were assessed against a comprehensive range of technical, commercial and leadership competencies, including:
• Financial strategy and planning
• Commercial finance expertise
• Forecasting and reporting capability
• Cash flow and working capital management
• Team leadership and succession development
• Stakeholder management and board engagement
• Operational improvement and efficiency delivery
• Experience supporting business growth and transformation
Our assessment process focused on identifying a finance leader capable of delivering immediate value while supporting the long-term ambitions of both organisations.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an experienced Group Finance Director with a strong track record of leading finance functions through periods of growth, transformation and strategic development.
The successful candidate brought extensive experience managing complex financial operations and demonstrated the commercial acumen required to support ambitious business objectives.
Key strengths included:
• Extensive multi-entity financial leadership experience
• Strong commercial and operational finance expertise
• Proven success supporting business growth and scalability
• Experience leading high-performing finance teams
• Expertise in forecasting, reporting and cash flow management
• Strong stakeholder engagement and board-level communication skills
• Experience supporting transaction readiness and strategic business planning
Following their appointment, the Group Finance Director assumed responsibility for the financial leadership of both HPS Services FM and Edozo, helping strengthen governance, improve financial visibility and support long-term strategic growth.
Results Delivered
The appointment delivered significant benefits across both organisations, including:
• Enhanced financial leadership and governance
• Improved forecasting, reporting and business planning processes
• Stronger cash flow and liquidity management
• Increased focus on commercial performance and margin improvement
• Enhanced support for growth, investment and strategic initiatives
• Improved leadership and development of the finance function
• Greater readiness for future M&A and exit opportunities
• Stronger alignment between financial strategy and business objectives
The successful placement provided both organisations with a senior finance leader capable of supporting continued expansion while helping position the businesses for long-term success and value creation.
Specialist Executive Recruitment
Maxwell Stephens supports organisations across facilities management, property, technology and professional services sectors with specialist recruitment solutions at senior leadership and executive level.
Our expertise includes:
• Finance Directors & CFOs
• Facilities Management Leadership
• Property & Estates Leadership
• Commercial & Operational Directors
• Executive Search
• Growth & Transformation Roles
• Strategic Leadership Appointments
• Board & Senior Management Recruitment
By combining deep sector knowledge with a consultative executive search approach, we help organisations secure the leaders responsible for driving growth, operational performance and long-term business success.