James Sutherland and Company started business as a firm of auctioneers in 1919. Founded by James (Jimmy) Sutherland, the company was based at Gallowgate in Newcastle upon Tyne. At that time Sutherlands also acted as landlords' agents and estate agents.
Jimmy's nephew, Ronnie Bennett, joined the firm around 1947. Then trading from Westgate Road, Sutherlands eventually moved to Blandford Street in the centre of Newcastle. The firm became agents for the Official Receiver and started to get involved in insolvency work.
The current directors are: Judith Roberts, Ronnie Bennett's daughter, who became part of the family firm in 1973, Paul Roberts who has been with company since 1976, and Martin Cassidy who joined in 2001. Paul is a Fellow of the NAVA (National Association of Valuers & Auctioneers) and Martin is also a Member of the NAVA.
In 1976 the firm moved to premises in Ponteland to the north of Newcastle and by the late 1970s Sutherlands were heavily involved in insolvency work, although regular auctions of goods from house clearances and similar sources were still being held.
Ronnie died suddenly in 1982 and at that point the directors took the decision to concentrate solely on corporate work. Since then Sutherlands has specialised in all types of asset valuation and disposal work.
The move to the current premises, at Maling Court just off Walker Road to the east of Newcastle, took place in 2000 and gave the company easy access to and from the centre of Newcastle, together with large local storage facilities.
Sutherlands are now bonded agents for The Official Receiver in Bankruptcy, carrying out all types of asset valuation, and disposals by auction, tender and private treaty sale.