BPI, asset disposal specialists, were honoured to manage the sale of the personal workshop of Mark Wilkinson OBE, one of Britain’s most respected furniture designers and craftsmen. The online auction comprised over 100 lots and offered a rare opportunity to acquire machinery and tools from a workshop shaped by decades of craftmanship.
Mark Wilkinson was widely recognised as a visionary designer and master craftsman. He launched his first kitchen design in 1977, helping to pioneer the English country kitchen, later co-founding Smallbone of Devizes and, in 1981, establishing Mark Wilkinson Furniture. Following the sale of the business in 2009, he remained closely involved as Group Creative Director until his death. In 2010, he was awarded an OBE for services to the furniture industry and charity.
The workshop included a rare, restored Wadkin RU woodturning lathe alongside a carefully selected range of Wadkin and Paoloni machinery, specialist woodworking equipment, traditional hand tools, furniture, and woodturning supplies. Each item reflected a commitment to precision, longevity, and performance.
The sale was managed by Richard Travis, Industrial Specialist at BPI, who worked closely with the Wilkinson family to ensure the process was handled with sensitivity and care. The focus was on presenting the workshop accurately and respectfully, while reaching professional woodworkers, furniture makers, and collectors worldwide.
The auction generated strong national and international interest, reflecting both the quality of the machinery and the significance of its provenance. This sale demonstrates how asset disposal can be delivered with professionalism, discretion, and empathy, ensuring Mark Wilkinson OBE’s tools continue their story worldwide.
