EG advertises for new editor as Peter Bill retires

Estates Gazette, the 150-year-old national property magazine, has confirmed that Peter Bill, editor since 1997, will retire in February.

Bill is a former surveyor in the construction industry who switched careers in 1983 when he joined Contract Journal as a reporter.

Two years later, he moved to rival Building magazine where he eventually became editor and editorial director of publisher Builder Group.

Bill leaves EG as it attempts to combat strong competition from much younger rival Property Week. Both titles claim around 25,000 subscribers to their weekly magazines.

EG is owned by Reed Business Information, currently up for sale although no buyers have made firm offers due to the credit crunch.

The advert for Bill's replacement in today's Media Guardian says the new editor must show "inspirational journalistic, management and entrepreneurial style".