Well-known property auctioneer and television personality Clive Emson has died aged 79.
Emson, founder of Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers and a familiar face to viewers of Homes Under the Hammer, died peacefully on Wednesday surrounded by family.
Known across the property sector for his phrase “have gavel, will travel”, Emson built one of the UK’s best-known regional property auction businesses, with offices stretching from Kent to Cornwall.
Over the course of his career, he became widely recognised both within the property auction sector and through regular appearances on daytime television. His company expanded across the South of England, including offices in Maidstone, Exeter, Chelmsford and Fareham.
Emson was awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in Kent, recognising his charitable work and community involvement.
In recent years, he had stepped back from the day-to-day running of the business, spending more time at his home in Monks Horton, Kent.
Tributes have been paid following news of his death. Sam Kinloch, director and senior auction valuer at the company, described Emson as “the most selfless person you could ever have been fortunate enough to meet”.
In a statement released by the firm, Kinloch said: “His integrity, humour and passion for life shone out to everyone around him. He was a gentleman in the true sense of the word.
“Every life he touched whether they were colleagues, friends, clients and of course his family would have been left with the impression they had met someone very special.”
Emson is survived by his children, James and Rebecca, both of whom work within the family business. His wife Sue, whom he was married to for 50 years, died six years ago.
Away from property, Emson was also known for his passion for classic British cars, including a collection of vintage vehicles and Bentleys.
