Client Overview
Reed & Mackay is one of the world's leading corporate travel and event management companies, delivering premium travel, meetings and event solutions to multinational organisations across the globe. Renowned for exceptional client service, operational excellence and innovative technology, the business supports some of the world's most demanding corporate clients from offices across the UK and internationally.
As the organisation continued its expansion, Reed & Mackay recognised the need for dedicated facilities leadership to support its growing estate, evolving workplace strategy and increasingly hybrid workforce. The company partnered exclusively with Maxwell Stephens to recruit its first Facilities Manager a newly created position responsible for overseeing facilities operations across all UK offices and supporting colleagues working remotely.
The Challenge
This was far more than a traditional Facilities Management appointment. Reed & Mackay required an individual capable of establishing a modern facilities function that would support business growth, improve operational efficiency and ensure every workplace reflected the premium standards for which the organisation is known.
The successful candidate would become the central point of contact for all workplace services, responsible for creating safe, compliant and productive working environments while driving continuous improvement across the organisation.
Key responsibilities included:
- Managing facilities services across multiple UK office locations.
- Supporting hybrid and remote working arrangements.
- Managing landlord and managing agent relationships.
- Procuring and managing facilities suppliers and service contracts.
- Coordinating office moves, refurbishments and workplace projects.
- Managing cleaning, waste, recycling and environmental services.
- Ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety and environmental legislation.
- Supporting ISO accreditation and business compliance programmes.
- Developing facilities policies, procedures and best practice.
- Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency while reducing operating costs.
- Managing planned and reactive maintenance.
- Responding to workplace incidents and business continuity requirements.
The role required someone equally comfortable operating strategically and delivering hands-on operational support. Strong stakeholder management, commercial awareness and excellent organisational skills were essential.
Our Approach
Working closely with Reed & Mackay's leadership team, Maxwell Stephens developed a detailed understanding of the organisation's culture, future workplace strategy and operational objectives.
As this was a newly created position, technical capability alone would not guarantee success. We focused on identifying candidates who could build a Facilities function from the ground up while influencing stakeholders across the business.
Using our specialist Facilities Management network, we carried out a targeted search for professionals with experience across:
- Corporate workplace management
- Multi-site facilities operations
- Professional services environments
- Health & Safety and statutory compliance
- ISO management systems
- Supplier and contract management
- Office relocations and workplace projects
- Budget management and cost optimisation
Each shortlisted candidate underwent a detailed assessment of their technical expertise, leadership qualities, commercial awareness and cultural fit before being presented to the client.
The Outcome
Maxwell Stephens successfully appointed an experienced Facilities Manager who possessed the technical knowledge, commercial acumen and leadership skills required to establish and develop Reed & Mackay's Facilities function.
The successful candidate quickly became an integral member of the business, delivering immediate improvements across workplace operations while supporting the organisation's continued growth.
Results Delivered
Establishing a Modern Facilities Function
The newly appointed Facilities Manager successfully implemented structured facilities processes and procedures, providing the organisation with a dedicated workplace management function for the first time.
Improved Operational Efficiency
Through proactive supplier management, improved maintenance planning and streamlined workplace processes, operational performance improved while reducing unnecessary expenditure.
Stronger Compliance
Health & Safety, environmental management and statutory compliance were strengthened across the estate, ensuring the business maintained the highest operational standards.
Successful Workplace Projects
Office moves, workplace improvements and maintenance programmes were delivered efficiently with minimal disruption to employees and day-to-day operations.
Better Supplier Performance
Contract negotiations and supplier management delivered improved service quality while achieving greater commercial value across facilities contracts.
Supporting Business Growth
As Reed & Mackay continued to expand, the Facilities Manager played a key role in ensuring workplaces remained safe, efficient and capable of supporting both office-based and remote employees.
The Impact
The appointment of Reed & Mackay's first dedicated Facilities Manager provided the organisation with a strategic workplace leader capable of supporting continued growth while enhancing operational efficiency, compliance and employee experience.
By combining technical expertise with commercial awareness and outstanding stakeholder management, the successful candidate helped establish a modern Facilities Management function that continues to support Reed & Mackay's reputation for operational excellence and premium client service.
This successful assignment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens' ability to recruit high-calibre Facilities Management professionals for growing organisations seeking to build, strengthen or transform their workplace operations.