Background & Client Overview
Twenty Essex, a prestigious barristers’ chambers specialising in international commercial arbitration and public international law, appointed Maxwell Stephens to recruit an experienced Buildings and Facilities Manager.
The role was central to ensuring the chambers’ premises remained safe, compliant, professionally maintained and capable of supporting the needs of barristers, employees, clients and visitors.
Given the high standards expected within a leading legal environment, Twenty Essex required a Facilities professional who could combine technical building knowledge, project-management capability, health and safety expertise and exceptional attention to detail.
The Challenge
Twenty Essex needed a Buildings and Facilities Manager capable of taking ownership of a varied property and Facilities Management remit while maintaining consistently high service standards.
The successful candidate needed to balance day-to-day operational requirements with longer-term maintenance, compliance and improvement priorities.
Key requirements included:
Building & Facilities Management
Overseeing the efficient operation and maintenance of the chambers’ premises and ensuring essential building services remained reliable.
Health & Safety Compliance
Maintaining appropriate health and safety processes, documentation and working practices to ensure the premises met relevant requirements.
Maintenance Management
Coordinating planned and reactive maintenance activity and ensuring issues were identified, prioritised and resolved promptly.
Contractor & Supplier Management
Managing external contractors and service providers, monitoring performance and ensuring works were completed safely and to the required standard.
Project Management
Supporting and delivering Facilities and building-related projects from planning through to completion while maintaining control of quality, cost and disruption.
Stakeholder Management
Working effectively with barristers, employees, suppliers and other stakeholders in a highly professional and client-focused environment.
Operational Improvement
Identifying opportunities to strengthen processes, improve service delivery and enhance the overall performance of the Facilities function.
Our Recruitment Approach
Maxwell Stephens conducted a targeted search for Facilities Management professionals with proven experience operating within high-quality corporate, legal or professional services environments.
Our assessment focused on candidates who could demonstrate a strong combination of technical competence, professionalism and service orientation.
Particular attention was given to experience in:
- building and Facilities Management
- planned and reactive maintenance
- health and safety compliance
- contractor and supplier management
- workplace and property projects
- risk management
- stakeholder communication
- continuous improvement
Cultural fit was equally important. Twenty Essex required someone capable of operating with discretion, responsiveness and professionalism while maintaining the standards expected of a prestigious barristers’ chambers.
Following a detailed search and assessment process, Maxwell Stephens successfully placed an experienced Buildings and Facilities Manager.
Outcome & Impact
The successful candidate integrated effectively into Twenty Essex and strengthened several aspects of premises and Facilities Management.
Improved Operational Efficiency
A structured and proactive approach to Facilities Management helped improve the coordination of day-to-day building services and operational activity.
Stronger Safety & Compliance
Greater oversight of health and safety requirements helped ensure appropriate procedures and standards remained in place across the premises.
Enhanced Maintenance Management
The candidate introduced a more organised approach to maintenance activity, supporting the continued reliability and condition of the chambers’ facilities.
Improved Contractor Oversight
Clearer management of suppliers and contractors strengthened accountability and helped maintain consistent service standards.
Stronger Project Delivery
Facilities-related works and improvements were managed with close attention to quality, timescales and operational requirements.
Enhanced Premises Management
The successful appointment provided Twenty Essex with dedicated Facilities leadership capable of maintaining the integrity, functionality and presentation of its premises.
Outcome
The placement gave Twenty Essex a Buildings and Facilities Manager capable of balancing building operations, compliance, maintenance, projects and stakeholder expectations within a demanding professional services environment.
The appointment demonstrates Maxwell Stephens’ ability to recruit Facilities Management professionals for legal and professional organisations, where operational reliability must be matched by discretion, attention to detail and exceptional service standards.
Looking for an experienced Buildings or Facilities Manager to oversee a high-quality professional workplace? Contact Maxwell Stephens to discuss your recruitment requirements.