Graham Lay joined the provincial auctioneers King and Chasemore in 1975 as a reception porter. He moved to London in 1978 when Sotheby's took over the firm and later became the head of the Auction Valuation department for their Sussex sale room. In 1988 he joined Bonhams and is now UK regional director for Bonhams and Brooks. Graham is a general valuer with a broad knowledge of furniture, ceramics and collectibles.