Trafford Centre has appointed Kate Thursfield as operations director to support the growth of the centre and achieve its ambitious future plans.
Thursfield will lead the on-site operations team across multiple functions, working closely with the newly appointed centre director, Simon Layton, and the wider senior leadership team to ensure the smooth running of the iconic destination.
Thursfield joins Trafford Centre with a wealth of retail industry experience. Previously she was head of compliance at House of Fraser before joining Capital & Regional, where she spent 18 years overseeing national operations and guest experience for a number of shopping centres across the UK. More recently she ran her own retail consultancy business, K8.
A key objective for her new role will be to ensure the guest experience is world class, retail tenants are at the forefront and employees are engaged, empowered and passionate about the centre’s future vision.
In addition, Gemma Ward, currently marketing manager at the centre has been promoted to head of marketing to oversee the full remit for the scheme.
Previously associate director at Shoppertainment Management and marketing manager at lbn Battuta Mall, Dubai, Ward joined Trafford Centre at the beginning of 2023. In her new role, she is dedicated to bringing a fresh approach to promoting Trafford Centre, highlighting the incredible changes taking place, whilst elevating the unique offering to the community that it serves.
Kate Thursfield said, “I am thrilled to take on this exciting leadership role. Trafford Centre is a truly unique place to work with a fantastic team that have successfully run this iconic space for 25 years. My ambition is to elevate all operational functions to ensure the scheme runs effectively and efficiently for the next 25 years. 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.”
Gemma Ward said, “I am delighted to have joined the Trafford Centre team and work at a world-renowned shopping and leisure destination. 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.”
