Principle Auctioneer & Valuer, Director

Duncan Chilcott is the Company’s joint Founder; he is the Principal Valuer and Auctioneer. Most of Duncan’s time is spent visiting clients and appraising customers’ items at our Valuation Days. Starting out as a Porter in Christies’ English and Continental Ceramics Department, and working in various departments, up to at a very senior level, at Phillips and Bonhams, Duncan has a wealth of experience and a wide breadth of knowledge of Fine Art, Antiques and Collectors’ Items. Recently, he identified an important antique Chinese Vase among boxes of various ceramics; it went on to sell for over £400,000 for our vendor. In his spare time Duncan can be found on the terraces of St. James’ Park (Exeter City FC) or exploring the Devon countryside in his beloved MG!

Marketing & Saleroom Manager, Director

Elizabeth Chilcott is the Company’s joint Founder; Liz’s role mainly encompasses that of Saleroom Manager, Marketing and H.R., however, time spent helping and interacting with our customers forms the favourite part of her day. With a background in fashion design and retail, Liz values and catalogues textiles and rugs; she also ensures that lots are clearly and attractively displayed. Liz’s homelife revolves, with Duncan, around their four children (now young adults) and she loves visiting National Trust properties.

Client Liaison, Silver Valuer & Cataloguer

Combined with her role as Principal Silver Valuer and Cataloguer, Jennifer Bell is the main point of contact for Vendor and Valuation Customer enquiries and liaison. Jenny assists Diana Hollis when she catalogues the Jewellery; this experience, together with specialist training, has enabled Jenny to handle most Jewellery enquiries when Diana is unavailable, and she has been instrumental in establishing a Costume Jewellery section. Recently Jenny has started auctioneering. Away from the Saleroom, Jenny follows a wide variety of sports, loves track-days, and is creating a wild-life pond.

Cataloguer and Saleroom Assistant

Mary catalogues the Good Antiques and Home Interiors Auctions, while also developing her knowledge of Ceramics. She has a passion for history which is perfect for contextualising the items that she appraises. Now a regular auctioneer, Mary has worked in her family business since she was three, when she was instrumental in ensuring that letters were stamped! Outside work, she loves live music, Sheppys Vintage Cider, Exmoor and historic buildings.

Jewellery Valuer & Cataloguer

Diana Hollis is our Principal Jewellery Valuer and Cataloguer; Diana is available at the monthly Valuation Days in Tiverton and Barnstaple, and on the third Friday of the month in Honiton. Before joining Chilcotts in 2005, she worked for top London Auction Houses and had an Antique Silver and Jewellery shop in Bond Street. When not looking at jewellery, Diana lists following the cricket, playing golf and gardening among her many interests.

Sale Day Clerk

Suzy Wall introduced herself to Duncan and Liz when they launched Chilcotts at the Mid Devon Show in 2004; soon afterwards she became Chilcotts’ first ever staff member! Suzy works on Viewing and Sale Days registering bidders and bids, clerking the auctions and taking payments. At other times she is involved in her family businesses: dairy farming and Dulverton bookshop, ‘Rothwell & Dunworth’. Suzy is a keen amateur dramatist and at the end of June can be found at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury.

Buyer Accounts & Admin Support

Gail Grantham looks after Buyers’ invoicing, including monitoring payments and arranging P&P; working at the Reception Desk, Gail also helps with vendor and general enquiries. Prior to joining Chilcotts, Gail was very much involved with the PTA at her children’s Primary School, following an earlier career in Accountancy with EY. Out of office hours, Gail enjoys travelling and exploring new places, DIY and walking her dog.

Saleroom Assistant

Dudley Broom is widely known in and around Honiton – before retiring Dudley ran his own removals company and seems to have moved half of the town’s residents. As part-time porter and saleroom assistant, Dudley brings his well-practised lifting techniques and excellent packing skills to Chilcotts, helping customers carry items and assisting setting out the auctions. Dudley has a passion for paintings, particularly of rural scenes, and always enjoys a good carvery.

Saleroom Assistant

Chris Henley mostly works on viewing and auction days assisting customers – cheerfully answering queries and helping carry and load their purchases. Chris has a wide range of interests and is a hugely enthusiastic railway buff - his knowledge of train-related objects has proved invaluable to the Company.

Saleroom Assistant

Marianne enjoys assisting people viewing the Jewellery at our quarterly Fine Sales, working with Diana Hollis. Before joining the Chilcotts team, Marianne worked at The Grove Antique Centre in Honiton High Street and is very knowledgeable about the world of Antiques and Fine Art.

Saleroom Assistant

Katie joined the Company before our first auction, coming to the 11:00am interview with freshly made Millionaires Shortbread! Katie loves auctions, bringing bags of energy and enthusiasm to her role of saleroom assistant. Away from the saleroom, Katie is a Francophile, running a ski chalet with her husband.

Saleroom Assistant

A very experienced member of staff, Edward is remembered by many customers from his Bonhams (Honiton) days. Edward has an amazing eye for detail – he is the go-to person for customers looking for a certain lot. Between auctions Edward likes European travel.