LONDON.- Bonhams, the international auction house, announces that Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard has been appointed to the position of non-executive Chairman, following Bruno Vinciguerra’s move from the role of Executive Chairman to Global Chief Executive Officer in February.

Bruno Vinciguerra
Bruno Vinciguerra was appointed Executive Chairman by Bonhams’ new owners, Epiris in September 2018 and has since been leading Bonhams’ radical overhaul. He has hired some of the most respected minds in the business, such as Marc Sands as Chief Marketing Officer and Chris Tolson as Chief Technology Officer, to create new digital marketing platforms and to rewire Bonhams’ technology. During lockdown, Bonhams was the first international auction house to hold a live-streamed auction [May 1, Native American Art, an LA sale streamed from Bonhams’ saleroom in Oxford].

Bruno Vinciguerra, Global CEO of Bonhams, said: “I am delighted to welcome Hans-Kristian to the board of Bonhams. His direct experience of the art market and broader global luxury goods track record will be invaluable to us as we progress the transformation of Bonhams.”

Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard
Bonhams newly appointed Chairman, Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, has 30 years of experience in global luxury and FMCG industries. He is Chairman of Calida Group, the lingerie and textile group based in Switzerland. He is a non-executive director (and former CEO) of MCH group, the owner of the Art Basel and Masterpiece London fairs, and he also is a non-executive director of Barclays Bank Switzerland.




One of his most recent roles was as CEO of Davidoff, the world leader in cigars and accessories. During his seven years in the role, Hoejsgaard was an agent of change, successfully repositioning this globally famous brand, leading Davidoff through an ambitious phase of brand-renewal and growth, significantly increasing sales by over 50% and expanding the number of flagship retail stores globally from 60 to 78.

Previous roles include President and CEO of the Timex Group, President and CEO of Georg Jensen, which Hoejsgaard transformed from being a Danish silversmith to a global luxury jeweller and watch company, and President of the Lancaster Group, the Paris based premium fragrance and cosmetics division of Coty Inc. During his tenure, Hoejsgaard led Lancaster Group into a position of market leadership in China with cosmetics brand Yue-Sai.

Hoejsgaard, who is Danish by birth, speaks four languages and is co-author of Experience Leadership in Practice (2009). He lives in Switzerland.

Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, non-Executive Chairman of Bonhams, said: “I am delighted to join Bonhams and to partner with its owners Epiris. I very much look forward to working with Bruno and his team, who have embarked on an impressive journey of transformation, while preserving the soul of this storied auction house.”

Alex Fortescue, Managing Partner of Epiris, said “The appointment of Hans-Kristian as non-executive Chairman and Bruno as CEO, coupled with the recruitment and development of a top-quality group of further senior executives, provides Bonhams with a world-class leadership team as it continues its ambitious and successful development.”