According to Barons auctioneers they become the first UK classic car auction house to feature a lady auctioneer when Helen Gascoigne brings the hammer down on a selection of lots, assisting their long-standing auctioneer Fabian Hine at the Yuletide Classic Sale at Sandown Park on December 15th.

What Barons Auctions say

“The daughter of Barons director Peter Gascoigne, 33 year-old Helen is a senior lawyer by profession but is adding another string to her bow by combining her love of classic cars and knowledge of the family business to embark on learning the classic car auction trade. In a year of ‘firsts’ for Barons, which has included the company twice setting its highest-ever price for a car sold at auction, it is only fitting that the season ends with another first, not just for Barons, but for all specialist UK classic car houses; the introduction of a lady auctioneer.

For Helen, it’s an opportunity to immerse herself even more into the world of her beloved classic cars: “I grew up with cars from an early age; I was brought home from the hospital in a Porsche 911 and on it went from there. My mother, little brother and I spent every other weekend being transported to all the different race circuits in England and Wales to watch Dad race his Jaguar 420, which was great fun. I have lost track of how many ridiculous but lovely cars I have had (I have had more than one Alfa…) and am very lucky to have had the opportunity to see and drive so many beautiful classics. Top of my Christmas list would be a navy blue Mercedes Pagoda. I’d even forgo the heated seats in my SLK for one of those. I would probably even swap my brother for one!””

The classic car hobby is changing in many respects and this announcement marks some of that change – if it brings more women into the hobby and the industry then we are all for it. Let’s hope it isn’t just a PR opportunity.