His appointment coincides with Clive Stewart-Lockhart’s decision to step down as deputy chairman shortly and follows the semi-retirement of former chairman Paul Viney in September.
“Thanks to the hard work of both Paul and Clive, the number of valuations we have been carrying out has been increasing year-on-year,” said chairman John Axford.
“Paul continues to visit clients on a regular basis but will need support to help carry the existing workload when Clive stands down at the end of March.”
Lamond left Halls last week after 23 years in Shrewsbury. His decision was prompted by a move to the West Country, closer to Bristol University where his wife is a lecturer.
Speculation had been rife that he was in line for a top job in regional fine art auctioneering. He will be based at Woolley & Wallis’ Castle Street headquarters in Salisbury from March 30 with the firm looking to appoint a trainee valuer to work alongside him.
Axford said: “I am delighted that Jeremy has chosen to join [us]. He is extremely experienced and comes with a wealth of specialist knowledge across many areas. I know that he is going to fit in very well with the team, and I look forward to introducing our clients to him.”
New departments
Stewart-Lockhart, another of the best-known faces in the UK regions, has been at Woolley & Wallis since 2012. He left his senior position at Dreweatts, where he had worked for 30 years, to take the job of managing director and more recently deputy chairman.
He oversaw significant changes at the Salisbury auction house, including the establ ishment of new departments (notably tribal art under Will Hobbs and medals, coins and arms and armour under Ned Cowell) as well as the move of the majority of departments to new premises just outside the city at Old Sarum.
He will leave in March to work as an independent valuer.
“We have never wanted to rest on our laurels,” said Axford, “and I am extremely grateful to Clive for all his work over the last eight years which has really helped us to grow and consolidate our position as the leading regional saleroom. He will be missed on a day-to-day basis and we hope that he will continue to bring business to us.”
Stewart-Lockhart told ATG: “I have had eight happy years at Woolley & Wallis but, having spent over 45 years working in the auction business, I am looking forward to working independently for old clients and friends as well as pursuing other projects including writing the book that I have been planning for many years.”
Lamond was both a director and head of the fine art department at Halls.
Gerry Berwyn-Jones, formerly of Bonhams, is the new head of the fine art department at Halls.
Gerry Berwyn-Jones, formerly of Bonhams Knowle, has been appointed the new head of the fine art department.
He has 23 years of experience as an auctioneer and valuer in the West Midlands.
“I was delighted to be offered the position. I’m looking forward to meeting the team and planning for 2020, an important year for Halls as it will be its 175th anniversary,” said Berwyn-Jones.
