Stephen Pressman, Property Growth Fund Manager

Posted on 25 Jul 2025

As our Property Growth Fund Manager, Stephen plays a key role in unlocking investment across Rochdale. From South Heywood to Kingsway Business Park, he’s helping deliver some of the borough’s most ambitious developments.

Tell me a bit about yourself.
I’ve been working for over 45 years now. I’ve been married for 40 years, and we have two children. I’m also a proud granddad, my granddaughter has just turned four.

I’ve spent most of my career in commercial property development, over 42 years now. I should have retired by now, but I love working too much! In my younger days, I played a lot of football. I thought I was pretty good, but unfortunately, others didn’t always share that opinion!

These days, I play golf, I only took it up about 15 years ago, so I’m a late starter, I can’t believe how much I’ve got into it.

What is your role within the RDA?
I’m the Property Growth Fund Manager at the RDA. My role revolves around commercial property development and investment. One of my key responsibilities is managing the Property Growth Fund, which was set up by Rochdale Council to invest in regeneration projects and commercial properties within the borough to achieve a target return to be used to fund council services, while driving economic growth.

I am also involved in negotiations with developers, working with colleagues and stakeholders to try to ensure projects are commercially viable and beneficial for the borough.

Why did you choose to work with the RDA?
I spent many years working in the private sector, mainly for a Dunlop Heywood property consultancy.  One of our key clients was Rochdale Council and the RDA, so I developed strong relationships with them over time.

For several years I was advising the RDA on the early stages of the Rochdale town centre redevelopment. Pennine Land, the development subsidiary of the RDA, were invited to bid for the project coordinator role for the delivery of Number One Riverside, and I helped them put together their bid. During the process, the RDA chief executive at the time, asked if I’d consider joining Pennine Land.

When Pennine Land won the contract, I got a call saying, “We’ve got the job, and you’ve got your job!” So, in 2008, I joined Pennine Land, to deliver Number One Riverside and work on other development initiatives

What projects do you work on now?
At the moment, I’m involved in several key projects across Rochdale:

Rochdale Riverside Retail & Leisure Development
I work with the scheme’s external asset and property managers to ensure the scheme maintains its quality offer, in liaison with the Council’s commercial finance team.

Duo @ Upperbanks
I wasn’t directly involved in the delivery of the scheme, although at the initial design stage did push for the inclusion of balconies. Now, I act as the interface between the on-site marketing and management team, liaising with the Council’s finance team to drive occupancy levels. although help represent the RDA’s interests in the project.

Hampton by Hilton
I undertake a similar role to Duo.

South Heywood
I have been involved in this project for over 13 years liaising/negotiating with the Council’s development partner.

Mossfield Heywood
Working to secure the redevelopment to include a pre let to a discount food store on the majority of the site plus some small industrial units.

Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC) Kingsway Business Park
I have been acting in negotiations with Wilson Bowden, the selected developer for Kingsway Business Park to deliver the key project for the borough. Planning consent has been secured, and we are looking to start construction in September.

Property Growth Fund
I support development opportunities, including Mossfield, and offer advice and contacts when needed.

What do you really enjoy about your profession?
I started my career in commercial property agency, and I’ve always enjoyed the fact that mainly no 2 days are the same. Property is a social profession with plenty of face-to-face interaction and where experience and contacts are valued.

The RDA was originally set up to bridge the gap between developers and local authorities, ensuring that both sides understood each other’s priorities. I see my role as helping bring commercial expertise into public sector projects while making sure developers meet their commitments. I enjoy having frank discussions with developers, at the end of the day, we both want the same thing: successful projects that benefit everyone.

I also really appreciate the working culture at the RDA. It’s never been a political organisation; everyone here is focused on delivering results rather than climbing the career ladder at someone else’s expense. It’s great to work in an environment where people genuinely care about the impact of what we do.

What makes you get up in the morning?
My alarm clock - and my wife reminding me to make her morning coffee!

In all seriousness, people often ask why I’m still working, and the answer is simple: I enjoy it. I like having structure to my days, and as long as my health is good and the stress isn’t too much, I want to keep going.

I also like coming into the office and seeing people.  I’m a firm believer in the benefits of in-person collaboration, just saying hello to colleagues or having a quick chat makes a difference.

Without sounding too arrogant I consider I have significant experience which I am very happy to share with colleagues and am delighted if that assists in making their job easier.

I don’t know if I can say I make a huge difference, but I like the idea of achieving something meaningful through my work. That’s what keeps me going.

Tell me something people don’t know about you.
I once made it into the Guinness Book of Records by being part of a charity fundraising team.  We worked with Radio One to put on a week-long event transporting the world’s largest piece of Blackpool rock between Blackpool Tower and the Eiffel Tower, with daily Radio One Shoes on route. It was a heck of an experience. 

Not sure what happened to the rock which was last seen floating down the Seine.