Trafford Centre strengthens leadership team
Manchester’s Trafford Centre has appointed Kate Thursfield as operations director to support future growth.
Thursfield previously ran her own retail consultancy, but prior to that, worked with Capital & Regional, where she spent 18 years overseeing national operations and guest experience for a number of UK shopping centres. Her experience has also included a stint as head of compliance at House of Fraser.
At Trafford Centre, she will lead the on-site operations team across multiple functions, whilst working closely with the newly appointed centre director, Simon Layton, and the wider senior leadership team.
Thursfield said: “I am looking forward to bringing my retail expertise to Trafford, a place I have loved and shopped for many years. My focus will be the people both, employees and guests I want to be part of a team that create the best environment for our community and beyond with a little extra nurturing, love and investment.”
In a further move, Trafford Centre has promoted Gemma Ward from the position of marketing manager to head of marketing.
Prior to joining the centre in early 2023, she was associate director at Shoppertainment management and marketing manager at lbn Battuta Mall in Dubai.
Ward said: “Trafford Centre truly is an innovator within the retail space, and I’m looking forward to using my previous experience to create amazing activations for our customers to enjoy. Our retailers are at the forefront of our visions, and I am excited to work closely with them to make our brilliant ideas a reality.”
