Adam Coombs | 20 Years at Hillcrest | Leadership, Legacy & Letting Go

Beyond Four Walls - With Jodie Fraser

In this powerful and reflective episode of Beyond Four Walls, host Jodie Fraser is joined by Adam Coombs, who recently stepped down as Managing Director of Hillcrest Estate Management after an incredible 20-year journey.

Adam began his career at Hillcrest in 2005 as an Estate Manager and worked his way up to Managing Director in 2018. During his tenure, he oversaw remarkable growth, expanding the business from 3,000 to 7,000 managed units and growing the team from 8 to nearly 50 people. But more than the numbers, it’s Adam’s people-first leadership style, humility, and gratitude that shine through in this episode.

Together, we explore the milestones, the challenges, and the emotional reality of stepping away from a company you've helped shape. Adam shares his insights on long-term leadership, the evolution of the industry, and why he’s now taking time to breathe, recharge, and explore new possibilities.

Whether you're a leader, a newcomer to the property world, or simply someone navigating a transition, Adam’s story will resonate deeply.

🏗 Sponsored by Future Group

This episode is proudly sponsored by Future Group – your trusted partner for nationwide solutions in fire safety, EV charging, energy, water hygiene, and digital building services.

Future Group works alongside managing agents and property professionals to help create safer, smarter, and more sustainable residential buildings. Their commitment to compliance, innovation, and collaboration makes them a vital asset to the block management industry.

To find out more, visit future-group.co.uk

A big thank you to Future Group for supporting this conversation and the Beyond Four Walls mission.

💬 Highlights:

• Adam’s first role in block management and early lessons at Hillcrest
• Growing a small company into a thriving, values-driven team
• The evolving landscape of property management over two decades
• What great leadership really looks like in a service-first industry
• Why stepping down was both difficult and necessary
• Advice for future leaders in the leasehold sector
• Taking stock: what’s next for Adam?

Thank you so much for listening to Beyond Four Walls. If you’ve been inspired by today’s conversation and you’d like to share your own story, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me directly at [email protected] if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast.

I’d also like to say a special thank you to my podcast producer, Shirley Ludford, at Swindon 105.5 – Swindon’s award-winning community radio station. It’s run by an incredible team of volunteers who are passionate about giving a voice to the local community. You can find out more about the station at www.swindon1055.co.uk

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