Chris Berkin
The Estates Gazette, one of the UK’s two leading property trade titles, has appointed Chris Berkin as its North of England correspondent following.
The position, previously held by former Crains staffer, Simon Binns, has been vacant since April when Binns opted to change his career path by taking up a new role as manager of Manchester’s first Business Improvement District.
The position was widely advertised and Berkin, who holds an MA in political journalism from City University, has secured the job.
He joins from rival trade title Construction News where he was a senior reporter.
Estates Gazette claims over 20,000 subscribers to its weekly printed edition.
Berkin began his career as an intern with Express Newspapers and his career has included stints as a researcher with the BBC, freelancing for The Guardian and as a political blogger for The Huffington Post.
Speaking of his new role, he told Prolific North he would be based between EG’s London HQ and its Northern commercial office in Manchester.
“My focus will be on the commercial, retail and office markets of the North while keeping an eye on key industrial transactions. I’ll also be following market trends and endeavouring to spot new initiatives as they arise.
“There is a recognition in London that as the economy picks up, we need to reinforce our regional coverage and it’s also particularly interesting for the title – and me – that there is clearly a new-found and increasing interest in the North being shown by international property investors.
“Currently that international interest lies primarily in and around Manchester but this is a new and dynamic development and one we’ll be watching and reporting on with keen interest.”
