Auction house Sotheby’s appointed Laurence Nicolas as executive vice president, global managing director, jewellery and watches – a position at the junction of two of Sotheby’s fastest growing categories. Nicolas will join the company on February 1st and be based in New York.
Reporting to the company’s CEO, Tad Smith, Nicolas will lead the various channels of Sotheby’s jewellery and watch businesses including auction, private, e-commerce and retail sales, as well as the company’s diamond venture, Sotheby’s Diamonds.
Nicolas brings 25 years of luxury experience and management of leading international brands to Sotheby’s, joining the company from Christian Dior Couture where she was appointed CEO of Dior timepieces & fine jewellery in 2001. There, she created the fine jewellery division in 2001, followed by the timepieces division in 2008. She also occupied key positions at Cartier between 1990 and 2001, where she was involved in the international retail and marketing operations of the brand.
“Our jewellery and watch businesses operate in markets much larger than the art market and this newlycreated role has been designed to strengthen our crossplatform strategy and take advantage of the significant opportunity,” said Tad Smith.
“Laurence’s creativity, energy and experience will no doubt be inspirational for the talented teams she will lead, while also further enhancing our clients’ experience and fostering Sotheby’s growth in these two key areas.”
Nicolas commented, “Given the smart and passionate people that I have already met in the company, and the amazing history and expertise Sotheby’s has built since 1744, I believe the potential for growth is tremendous. I am confident that together, we can conceive and execute plans to drive consistent sales and growth.”
Nicolas holds a BS “Grande Ecole” Master Degree with specialisation in international finance from NEOMA Business School. Before entering the luxury space, she began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Capgemini.