Davies, who joined LAPADA in May 2014 from gallery Blain|Southern, where she was managing director, will leave LAPADA at the end of the year to return to the contemporary art world as business director of Marian Goodman Gallery.
Key milestones in her tenure include launching the LAPADA.org online marketplace in 2015 and involvement in negotiations with CITES authorities and the government on ivory.
Lord de Mauley, recently appointed chairman of LAPADA, said: “Although I am fairly new to LAPADA, I know from my fellow board directors that Rebecca has been a dynamic and well-liked chief executive. She has achieved many things in her tenure and the vision and energy she brought to the association has been unparalleled.”
Current president and former LAPADA chairman Lord Chadlington praised what he called Davies' "creative approach to the issues our association faced, her meticulous and detailed implementation and her inspirational leadership [which] have driven LAPADA forward during a time of exceptional challenge.
"LAPADA members, management, directors and the industry as a whole are greatly in her debt."
Search for replacement starts
LAPADA, which has more than 550 dealer members, has begun the search for Davies’ replacement. Lord de Mauley said: “While Rebecca will be missed, we are very fortunate to have in place a strong team and a proactive board who will undoubtedly secure a worthy successor to take the reins.”
