HONG KONG.- The international auction house Bonhams has appointed Julia Hu as Managing Director, Asia, effective Monday 14 March 2022. Based in Hong Kong, she will join a leadership team in Asia made up of Malcolm Barber, Co-Chairman and CEO Asia and Bobbie Hu, Chairman Greater China, to drive Bonhams’ business expansion and presence in Asia as part of the company’s global vision.

Julia joins Bonhams after 9 years working experience with Christie’s, where she has been General Manager China since 2019, overseeing business development across the country and achieving dramatic year-on-year annual sales growth from both auctions and private sales. As Christie’s ambassador in China, she has also been responsible for managing the company’s relationship with both the government and top collectors. Earlier in her career at Christie’s, Julia held the senior roles of Strategy Director Asia and Head of Asia Regional Offices, in which she built extensive client connections thorough her knowledge of the key markets.

Prior to joining the auction industry, Julia worked in management consulting at McKinsey, guiding multi-national companies and Chinese state-owned companies on their organisational restructuring, sales and marketing strategies in Asia. Julia holds an MBA degree from INSEAD.

Julia Hu said: “Bonhams has an enviable reputation, and I am thrilled to be joining the company at such an exciting time in its history. I am relishing the opportunity to use my knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to drive even greater business development in Asia in the future.”

Bruno Vinciguerra, Bonhams Global Chief Executive Officer, said: “Julia is a great talent with a proven track record of commercial success, not only in China but across Asia. Her many achievements speak for themselves and I am very pleased to welcome her on board to further expand our business in Asia – now our fastest growing market and strategic priority.”

Malcolm Barber, Bonhams Chief Executive Officer, Asia, added: “I am delighted that Julia is joining the Bonhams team in Asia and I am much looking forward to working with her in the years ahead.”

Bonhams’ Asia operation includes salerooms located in Hong Kong and Sydney, as well as representatives in such key areas as Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Singapore, Melbourne and Tokyo.