GLOBAL – Martin Hurst, features writer at IPE Magazine, is to take over as editor at sister publication IPE Real Estate.

Hurst has been with IPE since 2004 and last year won the Best Fund Management Trade Journalist award at State Street Global Advisors' annual UK institutional press awards.

“I believe Martin is the right person to develop IPE Real Estate to the next level,” said IPE Real Estate Publisher Piers Diacre. “He will bring the right qualities as the magazine seeks to build on its solid foundations.”

“Martin’s understanding of the investment needs of pension funds will translate seamlessly into the real estate area.”

Hurst will be taking over from Ashley Nield, who has decided to pursue other interests outside the industry. But he will continue to be available to IPE Real Estate for a period.

“We wish Ashley all the best in his new endeavours,” Diacre said. “We are sorry he decided to leave IPE and thank him for all he has contributed to the success of IPE Real Estate, the development of the online iperealestate.com site, and the recent IPE Real Estate Forum & Awards.”

Hurst has a degree in Management Studies and French and spent a year studying business at IECS at the University of Strasbourg.

He started his career as an accountant – in Frankfurt and Budapest – before switching to journalism in 2000. He’s fluent in French, German and Hungarian. He said: "I am delighted to accept this challenge and look forward to working closely with the team at IPE to develop the magazine and its related activities."

IPE Real Estate was launched two years ago, targeting capital owners who invest in the real estate asset class. Its successful annual awards and forum held in Amsterdam this month attracted some 200 delegates.