Izzie Balmer was born in January 1989 in Derbyshire, England, and grew up in the village of Quarndon. Her parents, Sheila and Toby Balmer, supported her early interests, which included music—she played viola with the National Youth Orchestra.

She studied Geography at Durham University before entering the antiques trade after work experience at a local auction house. This led to a full-time role and sparked her career in valuation and auctioneering.

Balmer worked at Hansons Auctioneers and later became Head Valuer and Auctioneer at Wessex Auction Rooms (2018–2023). She also trained as a gemmologist, specialising in jewellery and silver.

Her television career began when she stood in on Bargain Hunt, leading to roles on Street Auction and eventually becoming a regular expert on Antiques Road Trip (BBC One) from 2019. She also appears on The Travelling Auctioneers.

She currently lives in the UK (reported Bristol) and continues working as a freelance auctioneer and TV presenter while keeping her personal life private.