ABOUT US

No longer is it necessary to take fine antiques and collectables to London to access world-class expertise. 

 Counting more BBC Antiques Roadshow specialists in our team than any other British auction house, Dore & Rees offers a market leading service in Asian art, classic motoring, jewellery, silver, watches, interiors and rare antiquities. 

Established in 1868, Dore & Rees still resides in its original gothic building in central Frome, combining period charm with state-of-the-art auction technology and an internationally reaching marketplace. This transformation took place in 2021 when the business was acquired by Antiques Roadshow regular Lee Young, who has brought many well-known TV specialists on board with him to create a formidable team of valuers and auctioneers.

Recognised by the Antiques Trade Gazette as one of the UK's fastest growing regional auction houses, at Dore & Rees we pair seasoned expertise with a warmth and approachability often not associated with our industry. Clients of Dore & Rees often become friends, and we work tirelessly as a team to deliver the best possible experience and outcome for our buyers and sellers.

meet the team

Lee Young Managing Director Head of Asian Art

Lee Young

MANAGING DIRECTOR / ASIAN ART

  • Lee is a well-known face on the BBC Antiques Roadshow with a career that spans three decades and several disciplines. Starting out as a porter in 1988 at Messenger May & Bavistock in Surrey, Lee then moved on to become a saleroom manager at Phillip’s. At the age of 25 he was promoted to become their youngest ever branch manager in charge of the bustling Ringwood saleroom.

    Lee then became Furniture & Works of Art specialist at Sotheby’s handling world-class objects on a daily basis. In 2002 Lee relocated to the US, joining America’s oldest auction house Freeman’s of Philadelphia, heading up their European Art department. Returning home in 2007 Lee took up the same position for Scottish firm Lyon & Turnbull before transitioning to Head of Asian Art in 2010 when the Chinese art market was at the height of its global boom.

    Lee moved to the West Country and in 2017 joined Duke’s auctioneers in Dorchester as Managing Director and Head of Asian Art. The move to Dore & Rees in 2021 marks a real milestone in his career, and he will work closely with the team, both new and old, to develop the brand into an internationally-known, thriving regional auction house and community hub for design.

alexandra francis

CONSULTANT SPECIALIST / JEWELLERY

  • Alexandra is a gemologist and jewellery specialist. She studied gemology at the Gemological Institute of America and completed the Graduate Gemologist programme in 2013. She then went on to work in the jewellery department at Dreweatts for the next seven years. 

    During this time Alexandra was fortunate enough to be able to handle, catalogue and value individual pieces and collections from across the jewellery world.

    This experience in the diverse areas of maker, period and style have further embellished Alexandra's professional skills as a gemologist, engendering an accomplished and recognised specialist in her field.

    Having moved to the West country in 2021 she has since worked for various auction houses as a consultant and is now leading the Jewellery auctions at Dore & Rees.

Mark Rees Ambassador

MArk Rees

AMBASSADOR

  • Since 1984, Mark has been running Dore & Rees with care and attention, growing the general auctions and building a loyal local following. He has enabled many to recycle and clear properties, always keeping an eye out for a gem of a lot to lead the auctions, setting Dore & Rees off on its mission to offer ever more interesting and exciting lots.

    In 2021 the time felt right to hand over the reins to Lee, a long-standing supporter of the saleroom, to build on Mark’s considerable legacy. Overseeing his final lot in the auction of 28 April, Mark sold a silver creamer in the form of a cow to a delighted bidder, reaching a strong four figure sum for the happy vendor.  

    Whilst life will now take on a more relaxed pace, Mark will remain a regular face on Vicarage Street, welcoming clients and friends on auction days.

Lynn Strover Client Development

Lynn Strover

CLIENT DEVELOPMENT

  • Lynn started her career at Christie’s after studying at Christie’s Education specialising in Fine and Decorative Arts from the Renaissance to present day. She spent eleven years at the world’s leading art business holding specialist, administrative and management roles, leaving as Client Service Director. Life took her to Singapore for 9 years, during which time she worked as Director, Service Excellence in Financial Services for KMPG, focused on client experience.

    Once back in the UK, the opportunity to return to auction presented itself and she joined Duke’s of Dorchester where she looked after client outreach activity including marketing, exhibitions management and client development, growing relationships within professional services networks. Now, the opportunity to join an agile team with great potential has caught her eye. At Dore & Rees she is focusing on supporting the team and enabling change establishing online auctions bringing them to a wider audience, and continuing client outreach activity. A keen walker, Lynn is in her element stomping through the landscape and looks for any opportunity to escape to the Alps.

MARC ALLUM

CONSULTANT SPECIALIST / CURIOUS AND COLLECTABLE

  • Marc has been a specialist on the BBC Antiques Roadshow for 23 years. His eclectic and broad knowledge stems from an inherent and exacting interest across a wide spectrum of the art and antiques business. With over thirty years’ experience, his areas of expertise range from pre-history to modern design.

    His early career was forged as Director of Rosebery’s auctioneers in London but in latter years has worked closely as a consultant with his Roadshow colleague Lee Young and is pleased to be on board helping to develop the Dore & Rees brand. Marc has appeared on numerous other television and radio shows over the years, writes regularly for mainstream magazines and is an author with several books to his name. As an Arts Society registered lecturer, he also talks frequently to groups around the world.

    Marc is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and an ambassador for the Association of Heritage Engineers.

Guy Tayler Saleroom Manager

GUY TAYLeR

SALEROOM MANAGER

  • Guy has lived and breathed Dore & Rees all his working life, starting out as a porter in the 1990s. Quickly learning every aspect of auction house operations, Guy has been running Dore & Rees bi-monthly auctions from start to finish alongside Mark Rees for many years. One of his most memorable moments is selling an antique Asian sewing box, originally received in a carrier bag in poor state of repair and ultimately selling significantly beyond its owner’s expectations - in front of a wowed audience.

    Guy is well known by Dore & Rees clients and he will be instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition for buyers and sellers, old and new, through this year's exciting transformation.

    Guy is particularly excited to develop our calendar of specialist auctions, particularly Modern Design - an area that has captured his interest and imagination throughout his career.

NICK WELLS

D&R MOTORING / MANAGING DIRECTOR

  • A lifelong classic car enthusiast, Nick restored his first classic car, a Triumph Spitfire, whilst still in his teens, and owns it to the present day. The Spitfire is now joined by a brace of coach built 1960s' Lancia GTs, a 1980s Porsche 911, a Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 and an early BMW 6-Series with some interesting history.

    Nick studied Business and German at university, spending time with BMW in Munich, followed by a successful career in marketing. Feeling the urge to align his career more closely to his interests, Nick moved into the international classic car auction business some years ago, quickly establishing himself as a specialist and valuer, and later an auctioneer.

    Nick has presided over classic auction sales in the UK and Europe, and as far afield as South Africa, and has consulted on valuations and sales of both individual cars and collections. In 2021 Nick was delighted to be invited to join the expert panel of the ITV show The Car Years, taking two cars from a year in motoring history and pitching them against each-other to pick a winner.

    Dore & Rees' Motoring department has grown since 2021, the team is joined by local car specialists Mike Reed and Leo Scott, and well-known Classic Motorcycle specialist John Nash.

    When not tinkering with old cars Nick can either be found in the garden or on his road bike, running for his chosen charity Trinity Hospice in London, or enjoying his new hobby of clay pigeon shooting.

brian chant m.i.m.i.

D&R MOTORING / DVCA PARTNER

  • Brian started in business in 1969, after successfully completing an apprenticeship as a panel beater with S.E Hamblin Limited of Sherborne, Dorset. He launched Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions in 2006, building a successful motoring auction house with a committed following.

    In 1971, Brian started racing vintage and classic cars, achieving most success with the 4.3 litre Alvis 'Brutus' in the UK and the Isle of Man. Brian is an enthusiastic member of the Bentley Drivers Club, Vintage Sports-Car Club, Classic & Historic Motor Club and the Morris Minor Owners Club. In April 2021 Brian celebrated 50 years continuous membership of the Vintage Sports-Car Club.

    Brian joined forces with Dore & Rees at the start of 2025 and continues to be the main contact for DVCA clients and friends.

Catherine Brand Office Manager

CATHERINE BRAND

OFFICE MANAGER

  • Catherine recently joined Dore & Rees keen to bring fresh ideas and new energy into the growing team.  She is looking forward to drawing on her professional and organized approach together with her friendly and understanding manner to support all aspects of the business. 

    No newcomer to the auction world, she relishes the opportunity to embark on an exciting new chapter in her administrative career as she focuses on assisting Dore & Rees achieve their bold vision for the future.  Her knowledge, experience and motivation will stand her in good stead as she continues to develop and extend her network in the Frome area.  With previous military, educational and event management experience, together with stints in other Auction houses, she is well equipped to meet the ever changing demands at Dore & Rees.

    When not hard at work, Catherine enjoys dog walking, playing tennis and singing with one of the local choirs.

leo scott

D&R MOTORING / AREA MANAGER (SOUTH WEST)

  • Leo is a seasoned professional who previously spent over a decade in photography and collectible fine art, having worked with some of Europe’s most prestigious auction houses and private collections. After years immersed in the world of investment-grade fine art trading, Leo brings his focus and passion to the Motoring team at Dore & Rees.

    A lifelong classic enthusiast and collector, particularly of Munich’s golden-era and Italian exotics, Leo takes pride in sourcing and telling the unique stories of rare and collectible cars, bringing them to market to achieve the best possible results for their owners.

    Based in the Bath area, Leo covers much of the South West for the Dore & Rees Motoring team.

Andrew Huyan

LONDON SPECIALIST / ASIAN ART

  • Andrew Huyan grew up in China and moved to London in 2012; he holds a Master’s Degree in the History of Art and Archaeology of East Asia from the School of Oriental and African Studies. Andrew also gained an MA in Anthropology from SOAS during lockdown.

    Before joining Dore & Rees, Andrew had several roles in the London Asian art field. He started with an internship at Christie’s Chinese Art Department.

    More recently, Andrew has been a consultant for several Asian art dealers and auction houses, where he developed his research skills and contacts in the London Asian art scene. Andrew currently also works for Marchant, Asian art dealer, London. He is an active member of the Oriental Ceramic Society and is particularly interested in Chinese Song ceramics, Kangxi porcelain, and Jade.

DUNCAN CAMPBELL

CONSULTANT SPECIALIST / SILVER

  • Having been fascinated by hallmarks as a child, Duncan got his first proper introduction to antique silver working for a well known silver dealer on Portobello Road while still at university in 1987. After graduating, Duncan worked for a Merchant Bank in the City for a few years before the attractions of his Saturday job, inevitably, were too compelling. Duncan has spent the last 30 years immersed in antique silver. 

    As a valuer he has catalogued collections for, among others, The Middle Temple, Lloyds of London, The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers, The City of Nottingham Museum and The Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

    He has appeared regularly as a specialist silver valuer on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, having started on the same show, Hertford College Oxford, as Fiona Bruce, in 2008.

    As a dealer, after running his own stand on Portobello Road Duncan moved to the west country in 2001 and has had a specialist antique silver shop in Bath since 2010. After 12 years of retail, it was time for a change:

    “I have always had a hankering to put on a really good silver sale and so the opportunity to host a specialist silver collectors’ auction at Dore & Rees, alongside all my Antiques Roadshow friends, is too good a prospect to pass up.”

SALLY PERRY

SALEROOM AND SOCIAL MEDIA CO-ORDINATOR

  • Sally studied Communications and English at Leeds University. After graduating she spent 13 years at ITV Studios in London, working across art, factual, drama and children’s programming before moving to Somerset in 2018.

    Replacing TV drama with the drama of the saleroom, Sally joined Dore & Rees in 2021. She works across all sales and enjoys finding the right visual language to tell the stories of clients and present their collections impactfully, both online and in the saleroom.

    In her spare time she likes to garden, decorate, explore the area and shop for antiques, of course!