Meet the team

Gillian Fletcher – Director of Estates and Creative

Pete Skelton – General Manager, Estates

Caitlin Croughan – Spinningfields Assistant Manager

Emily Tomlinson – St. John’s Assistant Manager

What the team does

Led by Gillian Fletcher, Director of Estates and Creative, the team brings together estate management, operational delivery and creative placemaking. Working across Spinningfields and St. John’s Manchester, they ensure the public realm is safe, compliant and well maintained, while also supporting events, activations and the wider experience of the estate.

From strategy through to on-the-ground delivery, the team works across every layer. Overseeing contractors, managing services and supporting occupiers. They collaborate with their marketing and placemaking colleagues to make sure each space works as it should, and feels as it should.

What does your role involve day to day?

Gillian:
“An ever-evolving blend of operational and creative placemaking and estate management services. Leading an established delivery team specifically across strategy and commercial decisions.”

Pete:
“As Estates General Manager for Spinningfields and St. John’s, my role is to oversee the day to day operation, presentation and performance of both estates.

A key part of the role is managing relationships with occupiers, stakeholders and external partners to ensure the estates remain attractive, vibrant and well-run destinations.”

Emily:
“I assist in managing the daily operations of the estate by keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, such as coordinating contractors, handling issues and permits, and working closely with the cleaning and security teams.”

What’s something people might not realise about your role?

Gillian:
“That my role is heavily strategic behind the scenes; often having to find the right balance between operations, creativity and commerciality.”

Pete:
“How varied it is day to day. No two days are ever the same, you might start the morning dealing with an operational issue, spend the afternoon meeting occupiers or contractors, and then switch into planning events or longer-term improvements for the estates. Our occupiers know there’s always someone there if something needs sorting. It keeps the role fast paced and interesting, which is a big part of why I enjoy it!”

Emily:
“It's not just logistics and health & safety, there's a lot of building and managing relationships with people across the estate too.”

“My role focuses largely on proactive problem prevention, as opposed to reactive problem solving.” - Caitlin Croughan

What do you enjoy most about working in your team?

Pete:
“Our team bring loads of creativity and fresh ideas into the estates, which makes the job interesting.”

Caitlin:
“Collaboration. Being able to work both practically with the operations team, and creatively with the marketing team.”

Gillian:
“I love that every single day is different and that our team is very collaborative and creative.”

The Future of our Industry

Gillian:
“Placemaking has been a focus for property companies for many years but what genuinely excites me is that there is currently no other company in this sector able to deliver the 360 approach in the way that we do. We are market leading!”

Pete:
“What excites me most about the direction of the industry is how Manchester as a whole is evolving. People can live, work, and socialise in connected, thriving communities.”

The operations behind the experience

From early morning checks to late evening event support, the Operations team is behind everything that happens across Spinningfields and St. John’s.

While much of their work happens behind the scenes, it shapes every part of the experience. Clean, safe and well-managed spaces rely on constant coordination, proactive planning and strong relationships across teams, contractors and stakeholders.

Working across both operations and placemaking, the team ensures the estates are not only maintained to a high standard, but are ready to support the activity, energy and growth of the wider city.

Favourite place in Manchester?

Emily: “Stevenson Square in the sun”
Caitlin: “Northern Quarter on a sunny day"

Coffee order?

Gillian: Espresso Martini
Emily: Always a cuppa tea

Best part of the job?

Pete: “Working with our amazing team. Creative, passionate and great to be around”
Caitlin: “Being able to soak up the best of the summer sun by carrying out our walk arounds! (worst part of the job, experiencing the worst of winter by completing our walk arounds)”

Mood-booster song?

Gillian: Any 90's Happy Hardcore
Emily: Any One Direction!