Ten Facilities Management appointments, and what the people we placed went on to deliver.
Recruitment is judged by what happens after the start date. These ten stories cover cost savings, relocations, interim cover, speed under pressure and long-term fit, across corporate, public, defence, education and manufacturing settings.
Every figure below comes from the published case study, which is linked under each story. Some of these appointments date back several years.
Cost and commercial results
Holman Fenwick Willan: a facilities leader to rebuild the function
The firm needed more than someone to run its facilities function. It needed someone to review the structure, improve service, reduce cost and support international property projects. We placed a leader with the strategic, operational and commercial experience to do it.
- Audited and restructured the facilities department.
- Delivered annualised cost savings of more than 15%, while maintaining and improving service standards.
- Introduced a new outsourcing strategy, bundling selected services.
- Managed UK and international fit-out projects through to practical completion.
Full case study: Facilities Management Leader for Holman Fenwick Willan
PVH (Calvin Klein EMEA): building a corporate services function
PVH needed a senior leader to create a modern Corporate Services and Facilities function for the Calvin Klein division across several international locations, reporting to the Vice President of People.
- Established a new regional corporate travel programme, including a strategic partnership with American Express.
- New travel policies and supplier arrangements generated annual savings of approximately £95,000 for the London office alone.
- Played a leading role in negotiating new office leases in Germany and Switzerland.
Full case study: PVH (Calvin Klein EMEA) Head of Corporate Services and Facilities
Babcock International: rebuilding confidence with a defence client
Babcock needed a commercially focused FM Consultant to run hard and soft services across four Defence Support Group sites, carry full P&L responsibility and rebuild confidence with its MOD client.
- Remobilised the Facilities Management contracts, with staff reviews and subcontractors assessed for best value.
- Delivered building refurbishment projects within agreed timescales.
- Rebuilt confidence with the MOD client, which contributed to the release of approximately £500,000 of previously suspended works.
Full case study: Babcock International FM Consultant Placement
EMI: holding the London headquarters through a change of ownership
During a corporate restructure and change of ownership, EMI needed a Facilities Manager to keep its London headquarters running and prepare the function for handover.
- Transferred 17 facilities employees into a new outsourced operating model with 100% staff retention.
- Reduced ongoing maintenance spend by approximately 5% through a review of asset lifecycle and maintenance regimes.
- Designed and implemented a new facilities operating model.
Full case study: EMI London Facilities Manager Recruitment
Relocation and change
Financial Services Authority: moving more than 1,100 people
When the Financial Services Act 2012 split the FSA into the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority, the FSA needed a Head of Property and Workplace to lead the workplace and estates programme behind the change. We recruited that leader.
- Relocated more than 1,100 employees, with the largest single move involving approximately 650 staff.
- Delivered relocation costs of less than £100 per employee.
- Achieved a 98% employee move satisfaction rating.
Full case study: Head of Property and Workplace for the Financial Services Authority
Brompton Bicycles: interim cover that became nine months
Brompton needed interim cover for its retiring Head of FM and Maintenance: someone to run live projects in a manufacturing setting and help recruit the permanent successor.
- A three-month contract was extended to nine months.
- Installed a £500K factory cooling system, and negotiated leases for four new units and managed their £360K fit-out.
- Completed all projects on schedule and within budget, with weekly reporting to the CEO and CFO.
Full case study: Interim Head of Facilities Projects for Brompton Bicycles
SailGP: opening a London headquarters
Moving its headquarters from New Zealand to London, SailGP needed an interim Facilities Project Manager, on an initial six-month contract, to take the new property from project stage to live operation.
- We approached 57 relevant professionals and narrowed the market to three.
- SailGP interviewed all three shortlisted candidates.
- The process resulted in a successful appointment.
Full case study: SailGP Interim Facilities Project Manager Recruitment
Speed and precision
Derwent London: four appointments after a restructure
After a significant restructure, Derwent London needed several key appointments in its Property and Facilities Management function, and appointed us exclusively. Because we already knew many of the strongest candidates personally, we could work to a tight timetable without lowering the standard.
- All four positions were filled within two weeks.
- Each appointee integrated rapidly, giving immediate support after the restructure.
Full case study: Multi-Role Facilities Management Recruitment for Derwent London
VT Group and the Ministry of Defence: eight senior estates roles
VT Group's estates contracts with the Ministry of Defence needed eight senior appointments across the UK, several at short notice, each acceptable to both the contractor and the defence client. We agreed the specifications and selection criteria at the outset and assessed every candidate against them in structured interviews.
- All eight assignments were filled.
- We were often able to put forward a single, well-matched candidate, leading to appointment without a long list of near misses.
Full case study: Senior Estates Appointments for VT Group and the MOD
Long-term fit
Boston University London: from Facilities and Projects Manager to Head of Facilities
BU London needed a Facilities and Projects Manager who could run the campus day to day and lead improvements to its infrastructure and services.
- Upgraded campus infrastructure to support a growing student population and introduced energy-efficient solutions.
- Strengthened safety protocols and compliance measures.
- Was promoted to Head of Facilities within two years.
Full case study: Facilities and Projects Manager for Boston University London
Planning an appointment that has to deliver?
Tell us what the role has to achieve, not just what it is called. Call 0207 118 4848, book a scoping call, or send us the brief.