Bringing valuable experience and a fresh perspective to the department, Gabrielle will play a key role in supporting landlords, tenants, and the wider property management team.
We sat down with her for a quick Q&A to learn more about her background, her approach to property management, and what attracted her to this role in particular.
Q&A:
Question: Can you tell us about your professional journey leading up to this appointment?
Answer: I graduated from Northumbria University in 2018 with a first-class degree in International Business Management. Shortly afterwards, I moved to the United Arab Emirates to begin my career with Emaar, the largest real estate developer in the Middle East.
As part of my early career with Emaar, I completed a management development programme within the luxury hospitality division, gaining operational experience across several high-end hotels in Dubai. During this period I held various roles, including duty manager and marketing manager, which provided me with valuable exposure to both operational leadership and the commercial side of hospitality, including brand positioning, guest experience strategy and performance analysis.
In 2021, I was appointed Director of Residence Operations, where I oversaw serviced and branded residential portfolios and was responsible for ensuring the delivery of consistently high service standards for both owners and tenants.
One of the most significant projects I led involved managing the pre-opening operations for 620 luxury residences in Downtown Dubai. In this role, I was responsible for building and leading the operational team, implementing service and operational frameworks, preparing residences for occupation and overseeing the handover process with landlords. The project provided invaluable experience in delivering large-scale residential operations while maintaining the high standards expected within a luxury environment.
Question: What initially drew you to the property management industry?
Answer: I have almost 15 years of experience working in customer service across the UK, Australia and Dubai. I spent much of my early career in luxury hospitality, which I found incredibly rewarding, that said, because hotel guests typically stay for short periods of time for leisure purposes, it can be challenging to develop meaningful, long-term relationships.
When I transitioned into managing serviced residences, I instantly appreciated the opportunity to develop stronger, ongoing relationships with property owners and residents. Being able to support landlords over a longer period, understand their priorities, and help protect the value of their investment is something I have found particularly rewarding. The role also aligns closely with my long-standing personal interest in property.
Question: How has your international experience shaped your leadership approach?
Answer: Working across three different continents has had a significant impact on my leadership style. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and teams from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, nationalities and professional experiences, which has broadened my perspective considerably.
Operating within such diverse environments has strengthened my ability to adapt my leadership approach depending on the team and situation. It has also reinforced the importance of clear communication, mutual respect and cultural awareness in building strong and effective teams.
I believe effective leadership is about creating an environment where people feel supported and empowered to perform at their best. By encouraging collaboration, and investing in team development, teams are able to consistently deliver excellent outcomes for clients and stakeholders.
Question: Can you share a key achievement from your career that you’re particularly proud of?
Answer: One of my proudest professional achievements has been completing my MBA at EHL Hospitality Business School in Switzerland, which is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading hospitality and service management institutions.
I began the programme in 2019 and studied part-time while continuing to work full-time in Dubai. The course was delivered primarily online, alongside residential study weeks where assessments and group projects took place.
Balancing postgraduate study alongside a demanding professional role was challenging at times, but it was also incredibly rewarding. The programme allowed me to further strengthen my strategic thinking, leadership capability and deepen my understanding of business operations while learning alongside professionals from a variety of industries around the world.
Question: What attracted you to this new opportunity as Assistant Head of Property Management with Pat Robson & Co.?
Answer: I’m incredibly pleased to have returned to my hometown of Newcastle upon Tyne and to begin this new chapter with Pat Robson and Co., a highly respected, home-grown organisation with a strong reputation across the North East property market.
I was drawn to the company’s culture and its commitment to investing in its people, supporting professional development and encouraging continuous improvement. I’m excited to bring the experience and perspective I gained in the Middle East back to the North East and to support the continued growth of the property management team.
Question: What do you believe are the key elements of successful property management today?
Answer: Successful property management is founded on trust, clear communication, and strong long-term relationships. Building positive rapport with both landlords and tenants is key to fostering transparency and confidence throughout the management process.
For landlords, it is essential to know that their investment is being managed professionally, proactively, and with careful attention to detail. This involves maintaining consistent communication, possessing a strong understanding of the property market, and addressing potential issues quickly and effectively.
Remaining up to date with legislative changes and developments within the industry is equally important. By combining strong relationships with professional expertise and a proactive approach, property managers can deliver a dependable, high-quality service while protecting and enhancing the value of a landlord’s investment.
Laura Young – Head of Property Management (Left) & Gabrielle Young – Assistant Head of Property Management (Right)
Director Nick Clennell has added “We’re delighted to have Gabrielle join the team and to welcome her back to Newcastle. Her experience, global perspective and passion for property management make her a fantastic addition to the business, and we’re excited to see the role she will play as we continue supporting landlords and tenants throughout the North East”.
If you’d like to speak to Gabrielle to find out more about how we can help you, email us at [email protected] or alternatively, call us on our dedicated landlord line on 0191 20 90 100 – option 5.
