One of Britain’s most sought-after antique experts, Catherine Southon has made a name for herself in the field of antiques. Not only that, she has become a household name, gracing the British screens for decades. Catherine’s career began in auction houses, where she acquired knowledge in purchasing, buying and valuing a wide range of antiques. Her expertise spans various categories, from fine art to vintage collectibles.
In addition to her television work, Catherine runs her own auction house, Catherine Southon Auctioneers & Valuers, where she conducts auctions and provides valuation services. Her bubbly personality and insightful commentary has captivated audiences worldwide, making her a beloved in the world of antiques. Let’s explore the life of Catherine Southon, including her fascinating career, family, and education.
Her Journey in the Auction
Catherine Southon’s auction career is rooted in a deep passion for antiques and history. She began her journey in the auction world by working at Sotheby’s, one of the most prestigious auction houses in the world. During her time at Sotheby’s, she gained invaluable experience and developed her expertise in appraising and valuing a diverse range of antiques.
However, she already has a heart for auctioning since she was young. “My grandfather went to auctions all the time – it’s in the blood, and growing up I would often play the art auction board game, Masterpiece, with my family,” she confessed. But she decided to dive into it after her studies when she arranged for the Antiques Roadshow and expert Hilary Kay came to talk about collectables.
She started from handling menial tasks and climbed the success ladder in no time to become the Head of Scientific Instruments and Maritime Works of Art. she said “I applied for a job at Sotheby’s and started at the bottom. I worked there for 9 years and became a head of department. It gave me a great grounding for everything from dolls to globes, sundials and antique marine instruments and collectables,”.
After her time at Sotheby’s, Catherine continued to build her career in the auction industry by working for various other auction houses. In 2012, Catherine Southon launched her own auction house Auctioneers & Valuers. She fondly calls it her “baby” and says she spent “ 24 hours a day, plus weekends”there.
As an auctioneer, auction days are not always the same and she looks forward to the excitement. She says “Our open valuation days in Kent and Surrey are always my favourite. You never know what’s going to grace your table and some of the best things I have ever seen have come out of shabby supermarket carrier bags!.
Her career in Television Shows
Her career in auctions began to soar and this caught the attention of Bargain Hunt. She soon became a known on shows like “Bargain Hunt”, “Antiques Road Trip, and Flipping Profit.” Bargain Hunt for instance, is a renowned show where contestants are challenged to buy antiques and sell at auction. Catherine’s appearance on the show was a great way to bring her knowledge and expertise to a wider audience. She has an approachable nature, sharp eye for detail, and ability to convey complex information in an easy-to-understand way. This makes her become everyone’s favourite in no time.
Aside from “Bargain Hunt” and “Antiques Road Trip,” Catherine has appeared on other television programs such as “Flog It” and “Flipping Profit”. A platform where she can demonstrate her love for antiques with her natural ability to educate and entertain.
Her Charity Works
Outside of television, Catherine is deeply involved in the antiques community. She frequently participates in charity auctions and events, where she makes use of her expertise to benefit various causes. Her work in both television and the auction world shows her passion for antiques and her commitment to sharing that passion with others.
Family
While the public know her for her work in antiques and television appearances. Not much can be said of her family and private life. She has chosen to keep her personal life private. However, has a fulfilling personal life, devoted to her family and two children. Although there are speculations that she is married, it still remains unclear who her husband is.
Her Early Life and Education
Catherine Southon was born in 1972 which means she is 54 years old as at the time of this writing. She was born in London, England to the family of William Daniel Southon and Annie. Southon. She has a sibling and she was raised in love and a family that loves collectibles and antiques items. Not only that, Catherine has a strong academic foundation in the history of art. This knowledge came in handy in her career as she began to study the items, their history, and accurately assess their value. This ensures she brings the best to her audience, informative, engaging and valuable insights that the audience love.
Net Worth
As a successful auctioneer and television personality, it is safe to say she earns a decent income although there is not much information available about her finances. Various sources said her net worth is $10 million, considering her sources of income, assets and accumulated wealth.
Even though she prefers to keep her personal life private, she still remains a respected figure in the world of antiques and television. Her contribution to the society as well is commendable.
