As specialist Facilities Management recruiters, we are fortunate to visit an extraordinary range of buildings and workplaces across the UK.
Our recruitment campaigns regularly take us behind the scenes of landmark commercial developments, listed heritage venues, modern headquarters and distinctive mixed-use destinations. Each building presents its own operational challenges and requires talented FM professionals to ensure it remains safe, efficient and welcoming.
From historic entertainment venues to some of London’s most advanced office developments, here are five memorable buildings we have had the pleasure of visiting through recent recruitment assignments.
We became involved with Principal Place while recruiting an Operations Manager for this major mixed-use development in Shoreditch.
Developed by Brookfield and designed by Foster + Partners, Principal Place combines commercial, residential, retail and public space within one prominent central London destination.
The development includes:
The office building is particularly notable as the home of Amazon’s UK headquarters.
Managing a development of this scale requires strong operational leadership across areas such as building services, public realm management, tenant experience, security and contractor performance.
We were delighted to work with Alexandra Palace during a recruitment campaign to appoint a Head of Facilities.
Known affectionately as “Ally Pally”, the Grade II listed entertainment and sports venue first opened in 1873 and has since become one of London’s most recognisable cultural landmarks.
Its remarkable history includes:
Facilities Management within a building of this age and significance requires a careful balance between heritage conservation, modern compliance and the practical demands of a busy public venue.
Watergate House, located at 13–15 York Buildings, is home to the Business Growth Fund and holds a special place in our history as the venue for one of our networking events.
The Edwardian building has played an important role in British intelligence history. During the Second World War era, it was associated with the Government Code and Cypher School before operations moved to Bletchley Park, where figures including Alan Turing contributed to Britain’s codebreaking efforts.
Today, the building combines historic character with the requirements of a modern commercial workplace.
Maintaining properties of this kind requires sensitive estate management, ensuring that original architectural features are protected while occupants benefit from reliable technology, services and comfortable working environments.
We had the opportunity to experience 100 Bishopsgate while recruiting a Technical Services Manager for the development.
Located in the City of London, just moments from Liverpool Street station, the 181-metre skyscraper rises across 37 floors and forms a prominent part of the capital’s commercial skyline.
Its occupiers include major global organisations such as Freshfields and the Royal Bank of Canada.
A building of this height and complexity requires highly skilled technical leadership. Responsibilities may include managing critical mechanical and electrical systems, maintaining resilience, coordinating specialist contractors and ensuring uninterrupted service for demanding corporate tenants.
We visited St James’s Market during a recruitment campaign connected with Formula One.
Located close to Piccadilly Circus, the development has become one of the West End’s most prestigious business and leisure destinations.
It combines:
The development demonstrates how modern commercial locations are increasingly designed as destinations rather than standalone office buildings.
Facilities teams play a central role in maintaining that experience, ensuring that occupiers, customers and visitors receive consistently high standards across the entire estate.
Although these properties differ considerably in age, design and purpose, they share one important characteristic: each depends on talented Facilities Management professionals.
Whether operating a listed heritage venue or a modern skyscraper, FM teams must manage:
The architecture may attract attention, but it is the people behind the scenes who keep these buildings functioning every day.
One of the most rewarding aspects of specialist Facilities Management recruitment is gaining access to buildings that most people only experience as visitors, employees or passers-by.
Each recruitment campaign gives us a deeper understanding of the operational demands behind exceptional workplaces and public venues.
Principal Place, Alexandra Palace, Watergate House, 100 Bishopsgate and St James’s Market are very different environments, but all demonstrate the importance of skilled FM leadership.
Behind every remarkable building is a dedicated team ensuring that it remains safe, efficient, resilient and enjoyable to use.
