Our Team
We are Pete and Matt, the owners and founders of Drake’s Auctions. We have a passion for auctions and a wealth of experience in the industry. We started our business in 2014, using the local scout hall as our venue. Since then, we have quickly grown and expanded to three industrial units with a spacious outdoor area.
Our location is not only convenient, but also historic. We are based on what used to be Wheal Crelake, an old mining site that dates back to the 1850s. It later became a parade ground for the MOD, and now it is home to our modern and professional auction house.
At Drake’s Auctions, we have a team who are knowledgeable, very friendly, and always happy to help. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, or just get advice, we have a wide range of items and services to suit your needs.
We are proud of our team and our business, and we look forward to meeting you soon at Drake’s Auctions.
Peter Williams Ba (Hons) ANAVA
Director / Auctioneer
Having gained his business management degree from the University of Gloucestershire in 2005, Peter spent a few years working in sales in Cheltenham, before travelling around the world. After this adventure Peter decided to move back and settle in his home town of Tavistock. It was there he spent a year working as a porter at the local auction house as a stop gap whilst searching for a new career opportunity, but as they say in the trade, he got bit by the bug.
It was only when the local auction house he was working for closed in 2012, that the opportunity arose to put his business degree to the test and start a new one. This took a few years to get off the ground but with the help of the Prince’s Trust and having found the right premises and the right business partner, Drake’s Auctions was eventually established in 2014 and he’s never looked back. He says “every day is a new adventure, you don’t know what door you may walk through when viewing a house clearance, or what may come through the auction house door, it can be quite exciting at times”.
Areas of interest
Jewellery, coins, watches, vinyl, HIFI, furniture, Central and South American Art and Egyptian art.
Spare time activities
In his spare time Peter likes to play football (although getting a bit too old for it!), chess, darts, cricket, poker and many other games, he also enjoys walking his dog Artie, coaching his sons football team, listening to music, tries to play guitar and enjoys annoying his wife and daughter.
If asked what to put on Spotify
Johnny Cash or Buena vista social club.
Matt Helm ANAVA
Director / Systems Administrator
Matthew or better known as Matt, is one of the cornerstones of Drake’s, having initially started out in the construction world, Matt decided to ditch his masonry hammer for that of enterprise and the gavel in 2014.
Matt has been a driving force in planting Drake’s Auctions firmly within the 21st century with his savvy business and technology & computing skills, he has been integral in taking Drake’s from the old school into the new, enabling a local humble Auction house to sell on a global scale.
Areas of interest
Mid century furniture, rugs, tools and machinery, musical instruments, modern art.
Spare time activities
Outside of work, Matt can be found in the gym, or on the mats at his local judo club. He is currently a member of the Great Britain Masters Judo squad, and regularly competes (between injuries!) He also enjoys exploring Dartmoor with his wife and Baloo.
If asked what to put on Spotify
Tesseract, Lamb of God, Tool.
Rachel Kinsella Cert. Gem-A, CPAA
Consultant Jewellery Valuer
Rachel joined Drake’s Auctions in 2015 as one of its first employees. Having previously been working in accounting and bookkeeping, Rachel has a passion for the weird and wonderful.
She has trained in gemmology & diamond assessment through the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. (Cert. Gem-A)
She is also (FoAP) qualified in valuation of jewellery & silverware through The National Association of Jewellers. Other qualifications include; The Royal Mint Advanced certificate in Precious Metals & Investment and CPAA: Certified Pearl Specialist.
Rachel is registered with the Jewellery Appraisers of the World and is a member of The Society of Jewellery Historians.
Areas of interest
Jewellery, art & antique furniture. Her passion is period jewellery focusing on the Georgian era.
Spare time activities
Painting and reading.
If asked what to put on Spotify
Rock, Grunge and anything Funky.
Karen Hutchinson BA (Hons) MLA
Receptionist / Cataloguer
Started her career in landscape architecture, and then having a brief detour into artisan ice-cream making, Karen eventually linked up with the Drake’s team in 2021.
Her passion for vintage clothing and art work and keen interest for expanding her knowledge in unusual and historical collectables, put together with enjoying interactions with customers, Karen has been a massive asset to team Drake’s, always calm and collected and a very warm friendly voice on the end of the phone.
Areas of interest
C20 art, vintage & designer clothing.
Spare time activities
When not in the saleroom Karen can be found participating in the thrill of the hunt at the charity shops, planning future travels or sitting on a sunny hillside with a Scotch egg.
If asked what to put on Spotify
Americana, Cambodian Soul Sounds, 80’s Goth Rock
Liz Williams
Viewing Staff / Accounts
Liz is one the most experienced members of the team having worked for various local auction houses over the past 20 years, Liz is semi-retired, helping out on viewing days greeting customers and keeping the accounts in check, Liz loves having a good chin wag with the customers and helping guide people through the online registration process, and generally keeps all the auction house staff in check, including the directors.
Areas of interest
Kitchen appliances & haberdashery.
Out of work activities
Baking, knitting, jam and chutney making, various charity work, going for walks on Dartmoor.
If asked what to put on Spotify
Neil Diamond, 3 Tenors.
Tabitha Jones BA (Hons)
Valuer / Shipping Co-ordinator
Tabitha joined the team at Drake’s in 2019 having previously worked for Bonhams both in Sydney and London and then Sotheby’s Australia.
Tabitha also holds a BA Hons in History of Art & Architecture.
Areas of interest
British and European ceramics, coins, jewellery and silver.
Spare time activities
Training at the gym, Cooking.
If asked what to put on Spotify
Boney M, The Doors.
Jason Coombs
Porter / Van Driver / PAT Tester
Jason has been with Drake’s since 2021 having previously worked in Morrison’s for over 20 years, he needed a new lease of life which he has been able to find with Drake’s, combining his love for quirky retro items, and driving, he is a friendly, fun addition to team Drake’s
Areas of interest
80’s technnology, retro toys and bikes.
Spare time activities
VW Beetle enthusiast, walking his greyhound Ted, playing with high end radio control cars and landscape photography.
If asked what to put on Spotify
Jack Johnson, Kings of Leon.
Chris Melville
Porter / House Clearer
Chris has been part of team Drake’s since the start, originally as a part time member of staff, he proved that he is extremely hard working, conscientious, trustworthy, as strong as an ox and has unassuming, modest knowledge of a vast array of subjects, put this together with great initiative, enthusiasm and a great big smile it didn’t take long for Drake’s to nail him down to a full time contract.
Areas of interest
Modern technology, bikes and granite.
Spare time activities
Riding his e-bike, watching football, rugby, boxing and motor sport, gaming and going on long walks with his dog Eva.
If asked what to put on Spotify
Rag’n’Bone Man, Nickelback, Luke Combs.
Grahame
Photographer
Grahame has been Drake’s Semi Pro photographer since 2019, as part of the background crew who you may not ever see when you visit us. He can usually be spotted wearing his usual affable smile together with a heavy quilted coat to keep him warm for his outdoor photography. He is a massive fan of jokingly being told to ‘hurry up with his quick snaps’ as well as discussing his beloved Everton’s latest catastrophic loss and/or points deduction.
Outside of work
Grahame can often be seen stomping Dartmoor’s green expanse with his boxer dog, Kenny, or patiently photographing the winged wildlife inhabiting the local area
If asked what to put on Spotify
Hank Marvin or Johnny Cash
Trevor Williams
Volunteer Viewing Staff
Although only working voluntarily 4 hours a fortnight on a viewing Sunday Trevor has been a massive help and support to Drake’s from the start, his warm smile and willingness to help customers as best he can is, always greatly appreciated by the customers and staff alike, many of our regular customers expect to see him and his dog Polly at viewing, and in kind plenty show up with treats for Polly in their pockets.
Areas of Interest
Local historical items, Naval and other military items.
Spare time activities
Jogging, watching cricket and football, walking the dog and going on holiday.
If asked what to put on Spotify
Bruce Springsteen, B.B. King.
Baloo
Head of Customer Greetings / Biscuit Valuer
Baloo takes his job very seriously. Always enthusiastic about his job (except on Mondays, he’s not a massive fan of Mondays), he will always be first to greet customers as they come through the door. He can also be found investigating the entire auction house for dropped biscuit crumbs.
Areas of interest
Breakfast, lunch, dinner!
Spare time activities
Endlessly social, he will be seen on Dartmoor looking for other dogs to play with, or at home, hanging over the garden gate hoping to see people to say hello to.