Chabi Nouri Appointed CEO of International Auction House - Bonhams

Bonhams, the international auction house, has announced the appointment of Chabi Nouri as its Global CEO. Nouri, who will be based in Bonhams’ headquarters in New Bond Street, London, will assume the position in October 2024 at the 14-saleroom auction house.

Swiss-born Nouri has deep knowledge and experience in international luxury and retail organisations – her previous roles were as CEO of Richemont-owned watch and jewelry company Piaget where she stayed for seven years before joining the Mirabaud Group in 2022 as a Private Equity Partner. She began her career at Cartier where she held several positions in the ten years she was there, after graduating from Fribourg University in Switzerland.

Commenting on the appointment Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, Bonhams Executive Chairman, in a release said, “It is a great pleasure and privilege to welcome Chabi Nouri to Bonhams. Her experience and qualities make Chabi a perfect fit for the company. Having served as a CEO of a leading luxury company, and in her most recent role as a co-manager of a private equity fund, Chabi has proven abilities as a strong brand-builder, and for digital innovation. Her background in luxury also brings valuable experience and insight to one of the most important categories at Bonhams.”

Chabi Nouri further added, “I am delighted to be joining Bonhams, which has a long heritage, rich history, and strong values as an auction house, as well as a reputation as an innovator. Its focus on digital transformation, global reach, and passion, nurtured by its extraordinary talents, makes it an exceptionally exciting and dynamic company. I look forward to building on these strong foundations and focusing on Bonhams’ core DNA.”

In 2018, Bonhams was acquired by the private equity firm Epiris, and set about carving out a middle-market business. The auction house also bolstered its volume in 2022 through a rapid-fire series of acquisitions of smaller but well-known regional auction houses, including Bukowskis in Stockholm, Bruun Rasmussuem in Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris; and Skinner in Boston, Mass.

Bonhams has consistently positioned itself as a key player in the global art market. In 2023, the global art market reached an estimated value of $67.4 billion, with auction sales accounting for over $29 billion of this figure. Bonhams, known for its expertise in fine art, antiques, jewelry, and motorcars, has significantly contributed to this robust market. The auction house's strategic acquisitions and focus on digital innovation have enabled it to expand its customer base and increase its auction sales volume. With over 50,000 lots sold annually, Bonhams continues to attract a diverse range of collectors from around the world, reflecting the