Anita Manning

Anita Manning (born 1 December 1947) is a Scottish antiques expert and television personality. She is well known for her appearances as an expert on the BBC's Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and the Antiques Road Trip. She was Scotland's first female auctioneer.

Career

Manning's father used to take her to auctions on Sauchiehall Street, in Glasgow and she grew to love antiques.^[1] She first got into the antiques business in the 1970s after buying a bed from an Irish dealer. After commenting on what a wonderful trade it was, being surrounded by beautiful objects, he offered her a job as a buyer.

After studying Physical Education and specialising in dance at Aberdeen and Edinburgh, Manning was a teacher before getting married and having children. As a young mother, she developed a knowledge of antiques buying furniture from auctions. After her first visit to Glasgow as a buyer, she bought and sold furniture in England and Ireland for about three years, driving all around the country in a truck.^[2]

Along with her daughter Lala, Manning took over the already successful Great Western Auctions in 1989. It has grown to be one of the major independent auctioneers in Scotland.^[3]

References