An expat British journalist has been named as the new editor of an English-language magazine based in Bahrain.

Charlie Holding is to take charge of Bahrain This Month, the Gulf region’s first English-language lifestyle magazine which recently celebrated its 200th issue.

The 29-year-old, from London, gained a BA in Journalism at the University of Sunderland before enrolling on the News Associates’ NCTJ fast-track training course.

He started his career as a reporter and sub-editor at the Gulf Daily News before joining Gulf Weekly, edited by former UK regional newspaper veteran, Stan Szecowka,

Expat journalists from left Kristian Harrison, Stan Szecowka and Charlie Holding

During his five years at the title, Charlie has been promoted through the ranks, most recently to the position of assistant editor.

Former Bristol Post deputy editor Stan, 55, was recently appointed as editorial adviser of Bahrain This Month and Woman This Month, in addition to his role as editor at Gulf Weekly

Meanwhile Kristian Harrison, 23, from Southport, another expat Brit, has joined Gulf Weekly as a trainee journalist.

The University of Warwick graduate, a freelance film critic and writer of online gaming guides and walkthroughs, was editor of his college magazine.