Global auction house Christie’s has announced the appointment of Emmanuel Danan as the new global managing director of its luxury division. The appointment, which is effective from February 20th, will see Danan responsible for overseeing all aspects of the luxury business, including live and online auctions and private sales. He will work closely with colleagues from specialist departments in key locations such as New York, London, Geneva, Paris, and Hong Kong. Reporting to Francis Belin, president of Christie’s Asia Pacific, Danan brings with him over 22 years of business experience.
Prior to joining Christie’s, Danan served as president for Europe and the Middle East at Maesa, a portfolio company of Bain Capital Private Equity. Before that, he spent 17 years at L’Oréal, where he held various management positions, including general manager of L’Oréal Paris for western Europe. He also worked as a consultant at Kearney.
Belin emphasized the significance of Danan’s appointment, particularly in light of Christie’s record-breaking year in 2022. He stated that Danan’s international experience working across diverse markets will provide an excellent framework for driving forward the luxury division’s continued success.
Christie’s luxury division has achieved significant milestones in recent years. In 2022, global sales of jewels, watches, wine, and handbags reached nearly a billion dollars. Notable highlights include the sale of the largest white diamond ever offered at auction for $21.7 million, as well as the sale of The Fortune Pink, the largest pear-shaped, fancy vivid pink diamond, for $28.8 million. The luxury division also saw remarkable success in wine sales, totaling $19.6 million, and achieved the highest-ever recorded total for handbags and accessories, reaching $32.8 million. Additionally, the watches category experienced multiple successes with single-owner collections totaling $32 million and selling out completely.
Overall, Danan’s appointment comes at an opportune moment for Christie’s luxury division as it looks to build upon its recent achievements and continue to excel in the global luxury market.
Useful links:
1. The official website of Christie’s: https://www.christies.com/
2. Christie’s Luxury Auction Department: https://www.christies.com/departments/luxury-6290-1.aspx
