Christie’s Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Patricia Barbizet  passed on the baton to Guillaume Cerutti on January 1, 2017. The - impending - changeover was announced in a press statement last month.

The new CEO was appointed by Christie’s Board on the “recommendation” of Barbizet and “with the full support” of the Pinault family (owners of Christie’s), the announcement said.

Also, as part of this restructuring, François Pinault has taken over as Chairman of the Board and Barbizet has been made Vice Chairman.

Barbizet will continue in her role of CEO of Artémis, the Pinault family’s investment company and as Vice Chairperson of Kering -- a luxury group conglomerate -- in which Artémis has a major shareholding. Kering is owner of renowned brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga.

 In the announcement Barbizet had commented: “As we conclude a successful year, the time is right to adapt our structure and further enhance the tremendous work we have done to make the company more efficient, creative and collaborative. I believe Guillaume’s experience and deep knowledge of the art world will bring Christie’s one more step forward. Christie’s is a key asset for its shareholder.  Alongside Mr. Pinault, as CEO of Artemis, I will remain closely involved as we continue to expand Christie’s global reach and introduce more best-in-class services for today’s collectors.”

Guillaume Cerutti had said: “It is a great honour to take forward the company’s strategic initiatives and continue the successful work that has been implemented under Patricia’s tutorship. At year-end, Christie’s continues to lead the market globally, and is poised for continued success. I will rely on Christie’s exceptional talents to build and adapt the company for the future.”

Putting the move in perspective François Pinault had said: “Two years ago I asked Patricia to take the helm of Christie’s and adapt the organisation to the new challenges of the art industry and market. During these two years, she has worked tirelessly on the key milestones we had established to capitalise upon Christie’s leadership. She has led the company to a point where it is appropriate to pass the baton to Guillaume Cerutti. It will now be for him to push this advantage even further. Patricia and I will provide Guillaume our continuous support so Christie’s can thrive for the greatest benefit of its clients, its specialist community, its employees and all art connoisseurs.”

Cerutti, a well-known and respected authority in the art world, was the President of Christie’s Europe, Middle East, Russia and India (EMERI) operations. He has been operating for over a decade as a senior executive in the art auction world and within the cultural industry for over twenty years. 

Christie’s has a global presence in 46 countries, with 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai.