Christie’s Extends Commitment To Asia With Appointment Of Andrew Foster In Newly Created Role Of President, Asia
Andrew Foster to work with Ken Yeh, Deputy Chairman for Asia, and Theow Tow, Deputy Chairman for Asia and Americas
New York / Hong Kong – Christie’s International, the world’s leading art business, today named Andrew Foster President, Asia. Mr. Foster will have direct responsibility for the overall strategy and management of the Asia region, including all of the company’s Regional Representative Offices and its partnership in Mainland China with Forever, with whom Christie’s has a brand-licensing arrangement. Mr. Foster will report to Lisa King, International Managing Director, Christie’s International.
He will work closely with Ken Yeh, Deputy Chairman for Asia?Theow Tow, Deputy Chairman for Asia and Americas and other Christie’s staff across the region to further develop the company’s top clients in Asia. Under his leadership, Christie’s will also add additional regional staff in support of its strategic growth plans and its client development programme.
Ms. King states: “We are delighted to appoint Andy — one of our most senior and experienced executives — to this new role. His natural affinity for this position comes from his five highly successful years as International Business Director of Asian Art from 2001 to 2005 and his strong leadership as Chief Operating Officer for Christie’s Americas and International Director, Operations, where he has supported the U.S. business and made fundamental improvements in our Operations arena. His highly effective, team-oriented approach to driving change will be invaluable as we continue to invest in Asia and grow Christie’s lead in the region, including strengthening our partnership with Forever and expanding our sales and business development presence in Mainland China, Hong Kong, India and the broader Asian region. Christie’s is committed to realising the tremendous growth potential this region holds and Andy is the ideal leader to help us do so.”
“Since Christie’s established its first Asia office in Hong Kong in 1986, the Company has continued to lead the market in the region, achieving consistent growth every year, including a 63% increase in Asia between Spring 2007 and 2008. Being one of Christie’s top three global sale centres alongside New York and London, Hong Kong plays a key role in garnering stablished and new collectors in Asia and around the world to participate in the art market. As global interest in art continues to grow, and supported by new wealth in the region, Asia will continue to be a significant priority for the company and a focus for on-going investment.” Ms King said.
Mr. Foster will also retain his current responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer for Christie’s Americas and International Director of Operations for Christie’s International.
Mr. Foster joined Christie’s in 1999 as one of the company’s first International Business Directors, covering Asian Art with a mandate to create a global team and strategy. Under his leadership, the team vastly increased existing sales and developed successful new offerings, bringing about exceptional growth and a dominant market share in this key strategic area.
In 2005, Mr. Foster was promoted to the dual roles of Chief Operating Officer, Americas and International Director of Operations. His Operations role has focused on bringing new technology and improved processes to Christie’s worldwide, including Christie’s LIVETM, the unique real-time Internet bidding service, Christie’s Media Library, and a new and advanced digital asset management system. As COO, Christie’s Americas, he coordinated and facilitated Christie’s back-of-house, auction management, client service, administrative, financial and technology departments.
Prior to joining Christie’s, Mr. Foster’s experience included substantial consulting engagements in the arts and non-profit arenas, including public/private projects such a Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia, and with CBS on product development. He also spent seven years in operations and executive management in the steel industry, and is a published playwright. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Theatre from Claremont McKenna College and an advanced degree in Arts Management from Columbia University.
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About Christie’s
Christie’s is the world’s leading art business with global auction sales in 2007 that totaled £3.1 billion/$6.3 billion. This marks the highest total in company and in art auction history. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 600 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $80 million. Christie’s has 85 offices in 43 countries and 14 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Hong Kong and Zurich. Most recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.
