Tennants
Tennants of Leyburn has appointed Jo Fletcher-Lee to the newly created role of commercial director. Fletcher-Lee, who has worked with Tennants on a consultancy basis for a number of year, previously has run her own business and sat on the board of a number of companies. Tennants said Fletcher-Lee will help the fourth-generation family business focus on the “next phase of growth for both the auction business and the events and exhibitions venue The Garden Rooms”.
Director Jane Tennant said “Jo brings with her a wealth of experience in management across different sectors and I know she will strengthen the existing team”.
Gurr Johns International
Ben Clark
Art advisory and valuation group Gurr Johns International has hired former Christie’s director Ben Clark for the role of deputy CEO.
Operating from London, he will help develop the firm’s global advisory business with a focus on growth in Asia.
Clark spent most of his 20-year art market career at Christie’s. Most recently his role was deputy chairman of Christie’s Asia in Hong Kong. Prior to that he was managing director and global head of client strategy in London.
Gurr Johns said Clark has both art market transaction experience and a good understanding of its “core valuation business” as he began his career at Christie’s in 2000 as a specialist in its estates and appraisals team.
He will start in early 2020 following the end of a non-compete clause and will work closely with chairman and CEO Harry Smith.
Bonhams
Giacomo Balsamo
Bonhams has promoted Giacomo Balsamo to the newly created post of international director, Post-War and Contemporary art.
He is responsible for acquiring business for Bonhams London, Hong Kong and New York, with a particular focus on European clients.
Ralph Taylor, Bonhams global director of Post-War and Contemporary art, said: “Giacomo has been at the heart of our exponential growth over the past eight years and has a level of expertise that is rarely encountered in this industry. That knowledge and passion will be fundamental as we continue to build the department.”
The auction house said Balsamo “has been instrumental in the development of movements including Arte Povera, ZERO and Gutai at auction” and helped with the wider “reappraisal of previously undervalued artists including Chu Teh-Chun, Adolf Luther, Shozo Shimamoto, Toshimitsu Imai, and Piero Dorazio”.
