A BUSINESSWOMAN who began her career as a part time porter at a Cirencester auctioneers has been given her first managerial position.

Lucie Rowe, of Moore Allen & Innocent, will take up an assistant saleroom manager position 15 years after joining the firm on a temporary basis.

Lucie grew up near Fairford and graduated with a degree in silversmithing before being offered a full time position valuing and cataloguing antiques.

She is now the go-to member of the time for advice on valuing jewellery and silverwares and has developed an encyclopaedic knowledge.

She has made several appearances TV over the years, including Bargain Hunt and Dickinson's Real Deal.

Her promotion to assistant saleroom manager will see her organising sale dates, managing the setting-up of lots prior to auction day, and maintaining outstanding levels of customer service across the saleroom.

Lucie said: “I really enjoy working at the saleroom. The boxes come in and you don’t know what you’re going to unpack – every day offers a new surprise.”

Among Lucie's career highlights are her involvement in the sale of an undiscovered Rembrandt for £2.2m and her part in the sale of a Meiji period carved ivory netsuke for a record-breaking £28,500.

Senior auctioneer and valuer Philip Allwood said: “We’re proud of Lucie's professional development, and delighted to have been able to offer her a management position.

"From humble beginnings, she has learnt her craft on the job. She is now a very experienced valuer ,and a friendly face backed with a wealth of knowledge, which buyers and sellers really appreciate."