About

Simon Wood

Simon’s expertise lies in property investment where he is recognised as the leading authority in the North West industrial investment market. He has extensive knowledge across the region and has been actively involved in the market since 1992.

Formerly a partner in successful niche practice DGI, selling to CBRE where he became a senior director, Simon has particular expertise in the industrial sector but also works in office and out of town retail, in a range of sectors advising on sales and acquisitions, in addition to development funding, and sale and leaseback work.

He has been involved in some of the largest, most complex investment projects in the region and advises a broad range of investors including institutions, property companies, private individuals and developers.

Simon recognises the value of working closely with and involving all areas of the business in order to provide clients with total and comprehensive advice to be relied upon and aimed at maximising results.

Jon Thorne

Jon specialises in the disposal and acquisition of industrial properties and sites primarily in the North West of England in addition to providing development and strategic property advice.

He has vast knowledge and experience in this sector working for the last 20 years at niche practice DGi Davis George and was a director at international firm CBRE before leaving to join B8RE as one of the founding partners.

Jon has a wide ranging client base acting for all the main investment funds, property companies, developers, high net worth individuals and has a number of high profile occupier clients.

Jon is recognised as one of the leading industrial agents in the region with a proven track record of delivering deals, considered advice and fresh ideas for clients.

Steve Johnson

Steve specialises in the disposal of all types of warehouse and industrial property throughout the North West along with wide-ranging development advice.

He has over 20 years’ experience in the sector having previously spent 16 years at King Sturge and subsequently JLL, latterly as Regional Head of Department before joining B8 Real Estate as one of the founding partners.

Steve has a long standing client base covering private property companies, large investment funds, developers and occupiers.

Steve has built his reputation as one of the leading industrial agents in the region by providing clients with straightforward professional advice, innovative ideas and delivering consistent results.

John Burrows

As an integral part of the investment team, John has over 10 years of experience in the property industry, having joined B8RE in 2014 following 5 years at GVA.

During this time John has built up an extensive knowledge base, working with various institutional investors, property companies and private clients of the business on numerous acquisitions and disposals.

Whilst primarily focussing on the North West industrial investment market, John has been involved in disposals and acquisitions throughout the UK, across various sectors.

Alex Perratt

Alex joined B8RE in August 2021 having previously spent 3 years in CBRE’s Industrial and Logistics Team.

He has eight years’ experience in property and primarily focusses on the acquisition and disposal of industrial assets in the Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, and West Lancashire areas.

Alex advises various investment funds, property companies, and developers as well as representing key occupier clients.

Will Kenyon

Will specialises in the disposal and acquisition of institutional funds, private landlords, developers, and corporates in the North West.

Before joining B8RE in September 2020 he spent five years working at Cushman & Wakefield in their industrial agency department where he qualified in 2017.

He has advised clients on a wide range of industrial assets in the region and since joining B8RE, Will now primarily advises in Manchester, Cheshire & Lancashire regions.

Thomas Marriott

Thomas has been part of the B8 Real Estate agency team for over 8 years, having started on internship back in 2014/15, whilst studying a degree in Real Estate at Nottingham Trent University.

As a specialist in the disposal and acquisition of industrial properties in the North West, Thomas has built up an extensive client base acting for various funds, property companies, developers, and occupiers.

Thomas has built a reputation of being one of the most active agents in the MLI subsector, delivering consistent results and offering sound advice.

Anthony Mellor

Anthony has been with B8RE for 5 years and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2021.

Despite his short career, Anthony has already advised several clients across the North West on the disposal of a variety of industrial real estate; including private landlords, property companies and institutional funds.

While his primary role is within the occupational agency team, Anthony also has active involvement in both the investment and development areas of the company.

Anthony is active across the whole region but has more recently started to work with clients more closely on assets and sites in Warrington, Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

Matt O’Reilly

Matt joined the Investment team at B8RE in February 2025.

Prior to joining B8, Matt graduated with a RICS accredited first-class honours degree in Property Finance & Investment. He worked at Mason Owen for his placement year gaining experience across all sectors of the business. This included supporting the Investment Agency team, assisting with industrial, retail and office acquisitions and disposals.

Matt has worked at Bruntwood in the Development team and also has experience in residential property management.

Matt is passionate about playing football and attending the gym, he is also a member at Upton-By-Chester Golf Club.

Ruth Durkin

Ruth joined B8RE in April 2012 and works closely alongside the Directors and Surveyors to ensure the smooth running of the office is accomplished day to day.

Ruth’s expertise resides in general accounts such as banking, aged debtors, fee forecasts, ensuring that all in-house/external systems are kept up to date, in particular anti-money laundering and compliance checks, which must be carried out accurately and inline with all data protection rules and regulations.

With strong organisational skills Ruth has the responsibility for all office operations, managing office inventory and handling the reorder process as well as coordinating with external teams to secure the best deals on travel and accommodation for the senior team.

Ruth performs regular audits on the B8RE website, monitoring the data and content on there, actioning any required updates on case studies/news/data rooms, ensuring that all the information is correct and up to date.