Background
Corney & Barrow Limited, known for its wines and its distinguished clientele, partnered with Maxwell Stephens to fill the position of Facilities Assistant. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, Corney & Barrow needed a dedicated individual to uphold its standards and keep its facilities running smoothly.
The Challenge
Before our engagement, Corney & Barrow had found it difficult to manage its facilities consistently. Without a dedicated Facilities Assistant there were inconsistencies in mail handling, maintenance issues and lapses in security protocols.
The role itself was also broad. Its responsibilities spanned postal services, maintenance, security and health and safety, and finding a single candidate with the right combination of skills was a significant challenge in its own right.
That breadth is typical of a standalone facilities assistant post in a smaller business, and it is what makes such roles awkward to fill. Each element on its own is entry-level; together they call for someone reliable enough to be trusted with security and safety, practical enough to handle basic maintenance, and organised enough to run the post without supervision. Candidates who cover all three and want a hands-on role are rarer than the job title suggests.
The Outcome
Drawing on our network and experience in facilities management recruitment, Maxwell Stephens identified a candidate whose qualifications and experience matched Corney & Barrow's requirements closely. With a background in postal services and packaging and a grounding in basic maintenance, the selected candidate had the versatility the role called for and the capability to perform well in it.
The client's feedback on the search:
"We are extremely pleased with Maxwell Stephens' expertise in filling the Facilities Assistant role at Corney & Barrow Limited. Their attention to detail and commitment to finding the perfect fit were instrumental in our recruitment process. The candidate they provided has become an invaluable asset to our team, ensuring the smooth functioning of our facilities and services. We highly recommend Maxwell Stephens to any organisation seeking top-tier facilities management recruitment services." - Buildings/Property Manager, Corney & Barrow Limited.
Why This Placement Worked
The search started from what the role actually involved day to day rather than from a generic facilities assistant specification. Because the client had been clear about where the gaps were — mail handling, maintenance and security — we could assess candidates against those specific needs and put forward someone who had already done the equivalent work elsewhere.
If you need a hands-on facilities assistant, or any single appointment that has to cover post, maintenance, security and safety together, Maxwell Stephens can help you find someone who covers all of it. Get in touch with our team.
Planning a similar appointment?
If you are recruiting for a similar role, our team can help you define the brief, reach the right candidates and manage the process through to appointment.