ABOUT ME
Tom Best is a British auctioneer, trained at Christie’s, and a self-confessed auction geek who has been conducting auctions professionally since 2012.
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At Christie’s, Tom was an art specialist and one of the youngest auctioneers in the company’s long history. But in 2016, driven by the crisis in Syria, he stepped away from the art world to join the humanitarian charity Start Network.
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Two years later Tom combined his passions for auctions and supporting good causes to start The Auction Collective. The Auction Collective helps people run their own auctions - whether that’s with auctioneers or their flagship free auction software, Indy.auction: a white-label auction platform designed for creators and brands.
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Tom is endlessly passionate about auctioneering, and especially committed to using it to support causes that matter.
As for Tom's auctioneer style? It's been described as:
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"Energetic and enthusiastic meets professionally charming... and utterly persuasive."
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CHARITY AUCTIONEER
As a benefit auctioneer for non-profits, Tom Best has raised over £20 million for more than 300 good causes across four continents. His fundraising approach is all about squeezing every penny or dime from the room - while ensuring every guest, bidder or not, enjoys an entertaining and lively atmosphere.
Tom blends professional auction charm with a dash of tongue-in-cheek humour to keep the energy high, the bidding fun and guests eager to return next year - because he understands that ticket sales and the event's reputation count for a huge amount.
COMMERCIAL AUCTIONEER
As a freelance commercial auctioneer, Tom has sold everything from dinosaur bones and rare stamps in Europe to contemporary art and luxury sports cars in the Middle East.
Whether it’s a single-lot private auction or a 500-lot live-streamed event, Tom's approach remains consistent: professional, meticulously prepared, and engaging—ensuring maximum value for both vendors and the auction house.
SPEAKER
As a public speaker, Tom supports his clients by moderating panel discussions, hosting Q&As, delivering engaging talks, and participating in interviews. His expertise spans auctioneering, the art world, charity fundraising, start-ups, tech industry, and even the work-life balance of parenting.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Top Recommended Art Advisor Spears 500
World record for an Audemars Piguet watch, $6.2 million
World record for a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster, $8.3 million
Auctioneer in 14 countries across 4 continents
Finalist for Art Adviser of the Year – Young Turk Awards
Christie’s Youngest Auctioneer (2012)
300+ charity auctions, raising over £20 million for philanthropic causes
MA (Hons) in Art History from the University of St Andrews, Scotland​
SELECT CLIENTS
