The letter marks an early bid to bring the new Cabinet onside in discussions concerning the British art and antiques market.
Bradley replaced former Secretary John Whittingdale, who had held post since May 2015 but was sacked during last week’s Cabinet reshuffle.
“We congratulate Karen Bradley on her appointment,” Browne said. “BAMF have, for many years, had a close relationship with the DCMS and look forward to continuing in the same vein.”
Rebecca Davies, CEO of dealer association LAPADA.
LAPADA added their own pledge, with CEO Rebecca Davies promising to give the trade a ‘louder voice in Whitehall’ on issues such as tax, ivory, cultural property laws, regulation and compliance.
“We want to make sure that genuine trade concerns are taken into account in debates of this kind, both directly where appropriate and via BAMF, of which LAPADA is a leading member,” she said.
Art market lobbyists have been at a disadvantage as many of the issues surrounding it fall between two or more government departments, including those of Culture, Business and the Environment.
Greg Clark has been appointed secretary of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Andrea Leadsom has taken over as head of Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
“Each of these new secretaries of state brings a fresh eye to their roles, as well as experience that could prove useful in understanding issues that might affect the trade,” Davies said.
Marco Forgione, BADA CEO said that Bradley “will bring a renewed energy, focus and dynamism to DCMS” and “a wealth of business experience” after working at KPMG and Deloitte & Touche.
