Paul Laidlaw
Paul Laidlaw | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Occupation(s) | Auctioneer, television personality |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Known for | Bargain Hunt, Antiques Road Trip, Flog It!, For What It's Worth |
Paul Laidlaw is a Scottish auctioneer known for his participation in television programs centered around antiques and related game shows.
Early life
Laidlaw was born in Edinburgh and pursued a degree in mathematics at the University of Edinburgh, originally intending to work for NASA.
Career
His auctioneering career commenced in 2002 at H&H Auction Rooms located in Carlisle. A decade later, in 2012, he established his own firm, Laidlaw Auctioneers and Valuers.
Laidlaw made his debut on the BBC series Bargain Hunt in 2006 and has since become a frequent expert, assisting teams in buying and selling antiques to achieve profit. He also appears on Antiques Road Trip, where he competes individually against other specialists, including participation in its celebrity edition. His television appearances extend to shows such as Flog It! and guest roles on For What It's Worth.
As of May 2021, Laidlaw holds the record for the largest profit earned on Antiques Road Trip. Notably, in 2017, he acquired a Chambre Automatique De Bertsch sub-miniature camera for £60 and later auctioned it for £20,000 to a private collector from Switzerland. Prior to that, he purchased a Georgian drinking glass for £1 which sold for £360. The entire profit from these transactions was donated to the charity Children in Need.
Personal life
By June 2021, Laidlaw lives in Carlisle with his wife Maureen and their three children. His personal collection includes antiques such as arms and armour, Georgian glassware, silver items, and timepieces.