Sotheby’s yesterday announced that it has created a new Global Luxury & Lifestyle division  “uniting the categories of jewellery, watches, wine, cars and experiences, as well as the relationship with Sotheby's International Realty, under one senior executive”. 

A senior member of the auction house’s management team, Maarten ten Holder has been appointed as the Global Managing Director of the new division, with immediate effect.

Most recently, Maarten, based in London, was Managing Director of Sotheby's operations in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa. He will now relocate to New York to take up his new position. He has earlier worked at other locations where Sotheby’s operates.

"Our creation of a new division that unites these key areas globally under Maarten's talented leadership is yet more progress on Sotheby's strategy to serve clients and provide value for shareholders," said Tad Smith Sotheby's CEO."

Maarten ten Holder commented, "I am thrilled to step into this crucial role leading the new Luxury & Lifestyle division. Each of these businesses operates in a market even larger than the art market, and I am excited to lead our strategic effort to fashion our talented teams into a stronger foundation for Sotheby's growth."

Pic Cap: Maarten ten Holder as auctioneer (in Nov 2016)  for the RM Sotheby's Duemila Ruote sale in Milan, Italy - the largest automobile collection sale ever staged in Europe   attracting unprecedented global interest (3,000+ bidders from 57 countries), over the course of 30 hours, all 817 lots were sold for a remarkable $54.9 million, doubling pre-sale expectations.