We’re delighted to share some expert insight from Julia Henderson, Co-Founder of DRAW Recruitment and Guest Lecturer at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London. With over 20 years of experience in senior roles across the recruitment industry — including time as CEO of Recruitment Solutions Group — Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and a sharp eye for career trends in the art and auction world. Since founding DRAW in 2016 alongside Nina Langford, she has worked closely with a wide range of regional and international auction houses to help them find the right talent to thrive. In the article below, Julia shares her perspective on why regional auction houses offer some of the most exciting and rewarding career opportunities in the industry today.
Why Regional Auction Houses Could Be the Smartest Career Move You Make
When many people think about starting a career as an auction house specialist, their first instinct is to head straight for London. It’s easy to see why — London is home to some of the world’s most famous auction houses, and the city has long been seen as the epicentre of the art and antiques market.
However, what many candidates quickly discover is that breaking into the London auction world can be tough. Opportunities are limited, competition is fierce, and career progression can sometimes be slower than expected.
What fewer people realise is that some of the best opportunities for building a strong, dynamic career in the auction world are actually outside London — in the thriving regional auction houses across the UK.
The Rise of Regional Auction Houses
Technology has transformed the auction industry. Today, many regional auction houses are running highly successful specialist and general sales, attracting bidders from across the globe via online platforms. These businesses are no longer restricted to their local markets — they are reaching international audiences, growing rapidly, and offering fascinating, varied career paths.
Far from being "provincial," regional auction houses are often fast-paced, entrepreneurial businesses where innovation and ambition are welcomed.
A Broader Range of Experience
One of the biggest advantages of starting your career in a regional auction house is the breadth of experience you’ll gain. In a smaller business, you’re likely to have direct mentorship from senior specialists or generalists. You’ll get hands-on experience in areas like cataloguing, valuing, business getting — and often, auctioneering too.
This kind of well-rounded training can take much longer to access in a bigger, more hierarchical organisation.
Career Mobility and Long-Term Opportunity
Many candidates who start their careers regionally choose to stay, building fulfilling, long-term careers in successful businesses that are growing every year. Others use their regional experience as a stepping stone, moving into larger London-based or international auction houses once they’ve built up sought-after skills and confidence.
In either case, working for a regional auction house gives you practical, valuable experience that can really accelerate your career.
Changing Perceptions
It’s worth noting that the old-fashioned term "provincial auction rooms" just doesn’t apply anymore. In my experience, many regional auction houses are anything but provincial — they are ambitious, outward-looking, and internationally connected. Often led by visionary entrepreneurs, they are shaping the future of the auction world in exciting ways.
In short: if you’re serious about building a successful career in the auction industry, don’t overlook the regional auction houses. They might just offer the best training, the most hands-on experience, and the fastest route to a rewarding career — whether you choose to stay regional or eventually move back to the international stage.
For more information and to browse current roles in regional auction houses and other art institutions, please visit DRAW Recruitment’s website: https://www.drawrecruitment.com/jobs/, or get in touch with their team for a friendly chat.