It’s a cold February morning in Stowmarket and the managing director of auction house Bishop & Miller is currently trying to wedge the only antique in the entire warehouse not on wheels through a set of double doors. “There’s too much tradition! It’s got to go!” he jokes.
Founder Oliver Miller and Auctioneer Tom Harmer.
And to be fair to founder Oliver Miller, for the most part, it has. For this 18th century, seven foot high Richard Peyton longcase grandfather clock is the exception that proves the rule inside Bishop & Miller, which has been completely overhauled in the last two years to operate on the ‘lean’ principles that underpin Toyota’s famously efficient production line. There’s just no putting something this old, with such a high centre of gravity, on skates to be wheeled around.
Everything else, from tribal flags to sequinned Adidas high top sneakers, sits on trolleys, ready to be rolled straight into a van for a customer who has bid and paid online.
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Office Manager Jessica Ames keeping the floors tidy and ready-to-go.
“When you've got one person who could be of any athletic build, they can then push a piece of furniture to the photographer. The photographer can then push it to the placement area, and that can be pushed into the area to be sold. And then you start thinking, ‘Oh, wow. This is very, very different,’” explains Miller, proudly.
The skateboards has saved a lot of valuable time as well as countless hours at the chiropractor.
Founded in 2015 by Miller, the firm has grown into one of the UK’s most forward-thinking auctioneers, with two branches across East Anglia, and a reputation for period oak furniture. Now, as it embraces digital transformation through the principles of just-in-time logistics and continuous online auctions, it is proving that a modern approach can enhance — not replace — the magic of the auction world.
Heritage in the Making
For Miller, the auction industry has always held a certain romance. Growing up, his father worked as a fine art photographer for Christie's, allowing a young Miller to wander through its storied halls.
“It really ignited this complete love and passion for the industry,” he recalls. Breaking into the auction world wasn’t straightforward: Miller started out as a forklift driver, then learning the ropes at Bonhams before an entrepreneurial streak led to him setting out on his own.
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Oliver Miller, founder of Bishop & Miller. "Bishop" was in fact the maiden name of his grandmother, and the auction house was named in her honor in 2015.
He named his company Bishop & Miller, the former a nod to his grandmother’s maiden name and her role in sparking his love for antiques. “She was the one who really got me into ancient art,” he says. Today, the business operates with a 21-strong team and continues to expand, embracing a model that puts efficiency and accessibility at its core.
Perhaps as a result, Miller has a love-hate relationship with tradition. On the one hand, his love for the objects he handles every day shines through, even when those objects are even taller than he is and resolutely static.
On the other: he no longer hosts hammer auctions, choosing to sell entirely online. Miller clearly possesses the patter and charisma of an auctioneer, but surprisingly, this is the element of his job he enjoys the least. Astonishingly, it is also no longer required.
“We made the decision back in June last year to end them,” he says. “We just saw that's the way forward for the business and the industry.”
Breaking with Tradition
Historically, auction houses have operated in much the same way for centuries: large sales held periodically, with vast amounts of furniture and collectables stacked up, waiting to be processed. Miller, however, saw inefficiencies in the system—items getting misplaced, logistical challenges, not to mention the back pain risked lifting a vintage Chesterfield sofa into the back of a Ford Transit. “We always knew there was a better way of running an auction house,” he says.
The continuous online auctions was revolutionary for Bishop & Millers turnover.
That better way came in the form of continuous online auctions — a model that allows items to be listed, sold, and shipped without the need for traditional live sales. Inspired by a conversation with Auctionet founder Tom Österman over a drink at a bar in early 2022, Miller immediately booked a plane ticket to Stockholm to see how it could work.
“Within ten minutes, I was saying, ‘I need to come to Sweden and see this in action,’” he recalls. What he found was a system built on lean principles, one that maximised efficiency and reduced wasted effort.
The Digital Evolution
By mid-2023, Bishop & Miller had fully transitioned to a continuous online auction model, eliminating in-person auctions at its Suffolk site. Instead of consignors waiting weeks or even months for a sale, items are listed quickly and sold in real-time. “We’re producing way more numbers in a much calmer and relaxed environment,” says Miller. “It’s completely changed the way we work.”
Because every item is tagged with their location, nothing is lost, and customers can simply come in and find any items they want to view. With instant access to condition reports, detailed photography, and pre-loaded shipping quotes, there is no need for back-and-forth inquiries. “It removes all of the friction,” says Miller. “People see an item, understand the costs, and buy it immediately.”
This efficiency has resulted in a significant increase in lot numbers, doubling previous volumes. “We used to process around 600 lots a month; now, we could easily handle 2,500,” he says. “The only limit is how many consignments we can bring in.”
"We used to process around 600 lots a month; now, we could easily handle 2,500" Miller explains.
The shift has also led to unexpected benefits for the team and culture. Everyone is happy, and you can see it in the way they move about the warehouse. The streamlined system allows specialists more time to focus on research, marketing, and client engagement.
The staff at Bishop & Miller are experiencing more energy after streamlining the processes in their daily tasks, even considering a four-day workweek.
“Our cataloguers can now visit museums and expand their knowledge, and our photographers can spend more time on quality imagery rather than rushing through a backlog of work,” Miller says, as he shows us the AI-powered animations his team have been working on to spice up lot listings on social media. Miller says the team is even considering a four-day workweek.
A Changing Market
Not everyone in the industry has embraced change quite so readily, and Miller acknowledges that there is still hesitation from traditionalists. “Some auction houses are still nervous about moving away from the classic model,” he says. “But consumer expectations have changed. People don’t want to wait months for an auction—just like they don’t want to wait days for an online order to be shipped.”
Moreover, buyers are increasingly becoming vendors. “They see how quickly the system works and realise they can use it as a revenue stream,” Miller explains. “It creates this circular relationship where customers become regular sellers, which is fantastic for business.”
Looking ahead, Bishop & Miller has no plans to slow down. “The future is just growth,” Miller states simply. “We’ve got the system, the efficiency, and the expertise. Now it’s about scaling up.”
Despite the changes, Miller insists that the magic of auctions remains very much alive. “I actually get to handle more objects now than I ever did before,” he says. “And at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about—the objects, the people, and the thrill of finding something truly special.”
Oliver Miller’s Three Favourite Finds:
A rare Chinese yellow ground porcelain 'dragon' bowl
“This piece was actually found in the vendor’s loft, totally unaware of what it was, found in a box with a few other pieces. When we went to look at other pieces it was then discovered and we knew it was something great, you only need to see for yourself.”
The William Prinsep (1794-1874) painting
“So this was actually part of a collection that we got from a vendor who had a property in Switzerland. I took a drive over in the van all the way to collect this and some other pieces. The seller’s main home was in the UK but this was on display in their Swiss property. It was part of a wonderful collection that included other paintings, furniture and works of art. A fine job.”
Brock & Co. Art Deco emerald and diamond bracelet
“The story behind this one is purely because it’s a beautiful piece that sparkles and looks amazing – trust me I put it on my wrist. No unique story on this one, just sold well purely because it’s so stunning.”
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