Christie’s, the renowned British auction house, has announced the appointment of Bonnie Brennan as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2025. This leadership change follows the transition of Guillaume Cerutti, who has served as CEO since 2017, to a broader role overseeing artistic and cultural activities for Artémis, the holding company owned by François and François-Henri Pinault. Cerutti will also continue to serve as Chairman of Christie’s Board .
Brennan’s promotion to CEO marks a significant milestone in her nearly three-decade career in the art auction industry. She joined Christie’s in 2012 after 15 years at Sotheby’s, where she held various business development roles. At Christie’s, Brennan has ascended through the ranks, serving as Chairman of Business Development and, since 2021, as President of Christie’s Americas. Under her leadership, the Americas region has grown to account for 48% of the company’s global auction sales .
During her tenure, Brennan has been instrumental in securing and managing high-profile collections, including those of Ann and Gordon Getty, Anne H. Bass, and Barney Ebsworth. She has also championed Christie’s digital strategy, diversifying the auction house’s offerings to engage a younger and more diverse clientele .
In a statement, Brennan expressed her commitment to building upon Christie’s legacy while steering the company toward innovation and growth. “To lead this extraordinary group of people is a privilege that I take very seriously,” she said. “I look forward to building on our 259-year legacy of connecting exceptional art and objects to passionate audiences” .
Cerutti, who recommended Brennan for the CEO role, praised her leadership qualities and deep understanding of the art market. “She possesses all the qualities needed to uphold and expand Christie’s market leadership,” he remarked. Under Cerutti’s leadership, Christie’s achieved numerous record-breaking sales, including Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” in 2017 and the Paul Allen Collection in 2022. He also spearheaded strategic advancements such as the acquisition of Gooding & Co. and the launch of Christie’s Ventures .
The Pinault family, owners of Christie’s through Artémis, expressed their confidence in Brennan’s ability to lead the company into its next chapter. “We are thrilled to announce Bonnie Brennan as Christie’s new CEO,” they stated. “Having served as President of Christie’s Americas for several years, she brings with her a wealth of experience in the art market” .
As CEO, Brennan will oversee Christie’s global operations, guiding the auction house through an evolving art market landscape. Her focus will include expanding digital offerings, embracing technological innovations such as artificial intelligence, and diversifying the collector base across North and South America. This leadership transition underscores Christie’s commitment to modernization and deepening market engagement across the Western Hemisphere.
