LONDON.- LAPADA, The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers , announces the appointment of Rebecca Davies as Chief Executive.

Rebecca Davies will take up this key role on 12 May 2014, in this, the Association’s 40th anniversary year. As a figurehead for the art and antiques trade she will lead LAPADA, the UK’s largest association of professional art and antique dealers, through its next exciting phase of development.

Rebecca is currently Managing Director of contemporary art gallery Blain|Southern, a position she has held since the gallery’s inception in 2010. Playing a pivotal part in all aspects of the business, she helped set up the original London gallery, expanding the business internationally to New York and Berlin. Prior to this Rebecca worked as European Business Director for Haunch of Venison, and at Christie’s within the Impressionist and Modern Department.

With an accomplished career background, Rebecca is an experienced leader with knowledge of communications, lobbying, finance and management. While her career to date has focused on the contemporary art market, she also has a real interest in the wider art and antiques markets - a passion ignited by her Master’s Degree in History of Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art, specialising in 19th Century French Painting and Art Markets. From vintage jewellery to ancient artefacts to mid-century modern furniture, Rebecca’s interests span broadly but always come back to those pieces that are imbued with history, rarity and quality. With a deep respect for the passion of collectors and a true understanding of the dedication of the dealers, Rebecca is well-placed to drive forward the organisation designed to benefit both.

As Chief Executive Rebecca will be involved in every aspect of the running of LAPADA, working closely with Chairman, Lord Chadlington, CEO of Huntsworth Plc, the international marketing services group. Rebecca will preside over the 6th annual LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair, held in Berkeley Square, London, in September 2014.

Lord Chadlington Comments: “I am delighted that Rebecca will be joining LAPADA as Chief Executive. She is undoubtedly the right person to lead the organisation through its next stage of development and I feel sure that the membership will warm to her. Most importantly I am confident that her broad range of abilities, particularly her experience in the digital space, will be of great benefit to the Association and its members.”

Rebecca Davies Comments: “I see this as an amazing opportunity to apply skills that I have gained through the contemporary art market to maximise interest and excitement in the art and antiques market. It is a rich scene with many facets, and too often overlooked by the public. Sarah Percy-Davis is an inspiring role model to follow. She has modernised LAPADA, and I hope to build on her work with ambitious and creative plans for today’s global market.”