B8 Real Estate is a specialist property practice providing experienced, professional real estate advice to the industrial and distribution sector in the North of England.
Established in 2011 by the original team of Simon Wood, Jon Thorne and Steve Johnson, with Tom Davis and Howard George, who were responsible for the success of DGi Davis George which was subsequently sold to CBRE in 2007, the company has gone from strength to strength under the current leadership of Simon, Jon and Steve.
We have many years’ combined experience in the property market within both niche and large corporate practices, and been involved in some of the largest and most complex North West industrial and distribution property transactions from the past 20 years.
We work closely together to ensure you have total director involvement and access to specialist expertise, when you need it.
Meet the Team
Simon Wood
Jon Thorne
Steve Johnson
Simon Wood
BSc MRICS
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
BSc MRICS
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
BSc MRICS
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
Paul Thorne
Thomas Marriott
John Burrows
BSc MRICS
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.
Paul Thorne
BSc MRICS
Paul joined B8RE in July 2015 from CBRE having previously spent seven years with Mason Owen, where he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2010.
As an integral part of the industrial agency team, Paul specialises in the disposal of all types of industrial property across the North West acting for various investment funds, property companies and developers as well as undertaking acquisition work for key clients.
Since joining B8RE, Paul has built an extensive knowledge base establishing himself as one of the most active agents in the region.
Thomas Marriott
BSc(Hons)
Thomas re-joined B8RE in July 2016 having previously spent an internship with the company in 2014/15. He has successfully obtained his RICS accredited honours degree in Real Estate Management at Nottingham Trent University and is pursuing his assessment of professional competence in the industry to obtain membership to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Thomas has already advised a large number of clients in the North West on all aspects of occupier relocations and disposal of leasehold/ freehold commercial land and industrial real estate.
Anthony Mellor
Will Kenyon
Anthony Mellor
BSc(Hons) MSc
Anthony joined B8RE as a graduate in 2017 with an RICS accredited MSc in Real Estate, he is now working towards the assessment of professional competence to gain membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
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.
Will Kenyon
BSc MRICS
Will specialises in the disposal and acquisition of institutional funds, private landlords, developers and corporate in the North West.
Before joining B8RE in September 2020 he spent five years working at Cushman & Wakefield in their industrial agency department, having started in their graduate scheme in 2017.
He has advised clients on a wide range of industrial assets in the region perfectly positioning him for his career with B8RE.
Ruth Durkin
Lyn Spakouskas
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.
Lyn Spakouskas
Lyn joined B8RE in November 2016, supporting the running of the office and acting as the first point of contact for telephone and face to face enquiries.
Lyn’s astute attention to detail provides the company with accurate records of real time enquiries from clients by entering them all in our in-house digital system and communicating updates. Using the same skills Lyn manages all mailing lists accuracy, inventory of brochures and dealing with mailouts of property and market reports.
Lyn deals with maintaining all property websites management, collating the best coverage for our clients properties across a range of websites, not limited to B8RE.
