Santa Monica, Calif. (August 26, 2024) — International auction house and collector car market leader Gooding & Company today announces the hiring of new Senior Specialist Rupert Banner, a celebrated auction industry expert with three decades of experience in the business. Gooding & Company is also expanding its global sales team with the additions of US-based Specialist Lance Butler and UK-based Specialist Ben Willis. Banner, along with Butler and Willis, will work to further promote Gooding & Company’s presence as an international collector car powerhouse, boosting its growth and development across all segments of the market.
“Rupert has an unmatched, long-standing reputation for excellence and integrity within the automotive auction industry, and I could not be more delighted to welcome him to our team as a Senior Specialist,” said Gooding & Company President and Co-Founder, David Gooding. “We are confident that Rupert, along with the additions of Specialists Lance Butler and Ben Willis, will bolster the continued success and expansion of our global sales and operations, and we look forward to the ever-evolving growth of Gooding & Company.”
Rupert Banner, Senior Specialist A highly respected industry leader with 30 years of experience in the auction business, Rupert Banner joins Gooding & Company as a Senior Specialist following senior roles with three major auction houses, including his most recent appointment at Bonhams, and previous tenure with both Christie’s and Sotheby’s, respectively. A passionate and skilled specialist and auctioneer, Banner has been instrumental in pioneering new markets and venues throughout his illustrious career, working to develop various business initiatives around the world. Based in New York, he has strong footing in the UK, US, and European markets, and has handled virtually every genre of collectible automobiles, ranging from prewar supercharged icons, to sports racing cars and modern classics. He has worked with highly specialized, individual consignments, as well as some of the most vast and varied collections to come to market, including the Tupelo Automobile Museum and the private collection of Sir Elton John, all the while breaking multiple world records for marques and models including Bentley, Lagonda, Talbot-Lago, and more.
A strong champion of the automotive community, Banner is a frequent and active participant in events and rallies, including the Copperstate 1000, Tour Auto, and London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. He additionally serves the industry as a writer, researcher, and concours judge, as well as sitting on the board of the renowned Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. As a skilled auctioneer, Banner has raised millions of dollars for important charities and causes, including the Peter Michael Foundation.
“Gooding & Company is the finest and most focused collector car business in the world, consistently delivering the best results for their sellers through its reputation for discretion and integrity combined with its broad client base and product knowledge,” said Rupert Banner, Gooding & Company Senior Specialist. “I’m excited to be part of this unique international business and assist its growth.”
Lance Butler, Specialist Gooding & Company is pleased to announce the addition of Specialist Lance Butler, who joins the auction house with over 12 years of experience in the collector car industry. Based in Southern California, Butler grew up enmeshed in the world of motor sports, beginning a racing career at the age of nine years old. Upon graduation from McPherson College with dual degrees in Automotive Restoration Technology and Business Management, Butler worked as a Collection Manager for a prominent private automotive collection based in Chicago, Illinois. Specializing in postwar and modern racing and homologation cars, Butler worked to preserve and procure some of the world’s most significant competition cars, and actively developed the sustained growth of the collection. His next role entailed working for Bonhams’ motoring department as a Car and Motorcycle Specialist, specifically assisting with automotive auctions across the US and Europe. Butler then went on to found his own online auction platform, Stratas Auctions Inc., before most recently serving as the Auction Director for SBX Cars, an auction platform founded by Supercar Blondie.
Ben Willis, Specialist Spearheading Gooding & Company’s operations in the UK is Ben Willis, who joins the auction house with over 14 years of experience in the industry along with an invaluable network of British and European clientele. Willis’ career includes previous roles at prominent organizations in the collector car market, starting with Fiskens Fine Historic Automobiles in London before a mechanical apprenticeship working on classic David Brown-era Aston Martins at Goldsmith & Young. Following these appointments, Willis worked for Bonhams’ motoring department as an Auction Assistant before his full-time role at Coys of Kensington, where he swiftly progressed from Showroom Manager to serving in the auction department as a Car Specialist. In 2020, Willis established CARVAULT CO, a consultancy, brokerage, and concierge business. Throughout his time at the forefront of CARVAULT CO, Willis sourced rare and iconic vehicles, negotiated significant deals, provided comprehensive management and storage solutions, and oversaw the sale and care of important vehicles in the UK.
Looking Ahead Gooding & Company will conduct its next sale, the London Auction, held in conjunction with the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace on Friday, August 30. Highlights of the upcoming auction include the quartet of significant 1930s Bugattis from the Jack Braam Ruben Collection, as well as a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage and a 1936 Lancia Astura Series III Cabriolet ‘Tipo Bocca’. London Auction Date: Friday, 30 August at 15.00 BST Location: Hampton Court Palace, UK Viewing Days: Thursday-Friday, 29-30 August Concours of Elegance Ticketing Information: https://concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets/ Bidder Registration: www.goodingco.com/register Live Auction Broadcast: www.goodingco.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodingandCompany X: @goodingandco #LondonAuction #GoodingLondon Instagram: @goodingandcompany #LondonAuction #GoodingLondon YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/GoodingandCompany Phone: +1.310.899.1960
About Gooding & Company Gooding & Company is celebrated for its world-class automotive auctions, private brokerage, and unparalleled service in the international collector car market, achieving nearly $3 billion in sales since the company’s inception. The auction house continues to deliver market-leading results through both its live auctions and Geared Online platform, setting new trends and world records with best-of-category cars across numerous verticals. Gooding & Company consistently presents the highest quality consignments while operating with openness and integrity, providing the company a reputation of trust and respect unmatched in the industry. Offering a wide range of services including private and estate sales, appraisals, and collection management, the auction house is ready to assist you with numerous collector car services.
Media Inquiries: Pauline Pechakjian pauline@goodingco.com +1 (310) 383-7437
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