Hugh Edmeades Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Hugh Edmeades

• Hugh Edmeades is a British auctioneer who is known for being an auctioneer at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Kochi on 23 December 2022.

• He joined Christie’s in 1978 to learn about antique furniture. He became an auctioneer when his boss at Christie’s left his job. Hugh was offered the job as Head of the Furniture department, but he said that he wanted to join as an auctioneer. He was happy to be part of the furniture department, but he used to make excuses to speak in front of people on the stage. Later, he took a crash course and gained confidence.

• In 1978, he was appointed as the Director of International Auctions at Christie’s.

• He usually works in fine art, vintage vehicle, and charity auctions. He has conducted more than 2,500 sales as an auctioneer at Christie’s.

• In 2004, he auctioned 88 guitars owned by Eric Clapton.

• In 2005, he was the TV celebrity auction conductor for BBC’s Children in Need auction.

• He has sold paintings by Old Masters, Impressionists, and Contemporary artists. He has also sold beautiful furniture and Chinese ceramics.

• He also auctions at national and international charity fundraisers. He has helped raise more than £97 million for charitable trusts. He has auctioned for charity work in various countries including Dubai, Hong Kong, Casablanca, New York, Mumbai, Monte Carlo, Los Angeles, and Tokyo.

• In 2008, he was the auctioneer at Nelson Mandela’s birthday gala in London and earned $5.6 million for Mandela’s children’s ­charity.

• He became an independent auctioneer at Christie’s in 2016.

• In 2019, he was appointed as an IPL auctioneer by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He took over Richard Madley, who had conducted all IPL auctions since 2008. In an interview, he talked about this and said,
  

  12 years ago, I was contacted to see if I could conduct the first ever IPL Auction. But I had other commitments to fulfill. So, I couldn’t consider the offer. But I am delighted that they have reconsidered me after so many years to conduct this edition of the auction.”

  

  Hugh Edmeades at IPL 2019 auction

• In 2022, during the IPL auction, Hugh fainted and fell from the platform. He suffered from Postural Hypertension.
  

  Hugh Edmeades after falling from the platform at the IPL auction

• He gives training to aspiring auctioneers as well.

• In an interview, he talked about his experience of shifts from telephone bidding to online streaming. He found it difficult to adjust to the auction in front of a camera. In the interview, he added,
  

  I try to make it fun. I’m energetic and lighthearted, even though it’s a serious business we’re doing. You don’t have to be a stand-up comedian up there, but you have to show that you’re not just some money-grabbing robot.”