Editor’s Note
Christie’s has named Rahul Kadakia, a 29-year company veteran and globally recognized auctioneer, as its next President of Asia Pacific, effective January 2026. The appointment signals the auction house’s focus on strengthening its position and driving growth in this key regional market.
On September 2, Christie’s CEO Bonnie Brennan announced the appointment of Rahul Kadakia as the company’s President of Asia Pacific, effective January 2026. Kadakia, a 29-year veteran at Christie’s with extensive experience, is one of the world’s most renowned auctioneers. Christie’s expects Kadakia to further tap into the potential of the Asia Pacific region and boost its market performance upon assuming his new role.
Bonnie Brennan stated on September 2 while announcing the appointment, expressing hope that under his leadership, teams across the Hong Kong and Shanghai auction centers, as well as offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Mumbai, Seoul, and Singapore, would work together to drive the Asia Pacific business to new heights.
Kadakia, a senior executive born in 1974 in Mumbai, India, differs from his predecessor Francis Belin in his deeper experience within the auction market. Belin’s career spanned consulting at McKinsey and retail at Swarovski before joining Christie’s in 2016, taking charge of Asia Pacific in 2019. In contrast, Kadakia joined Christie’s London Jewelry Department in 1996, later working in Geneva and New York, and has served as International Head of Jewelry at Christie’s since 2014.
During his 29-year tenure at Christie’s, Kadakia has presided over major auctions in Geneva, Hong Kong, London, and New York, handling a diverse range of items including jewelry, watches, wine, and modern and contemporary art. He is also one of the world’s most recognized auctioneers.
Transitioning from a seasoned expert to a regional leader, Kadakia acknowledged the significant challenge ahead as he prepares to assume the role of President of Asia Pacific at Christie’s, expressing his anticipation of taking on this important task in Hong Kong.
According to the latest financial data, Christie’s concluded the first half of 2025 with nearly $2.1 billion in auction sales, a slight 1% year-on-year decrease, yet still holding a major share of the global auction market. Data from market research firm ArtTactic shows that combined auction sales for Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips totaled $3.98 billion in the first half of this year.
From Christie’s 2025 mid-year results briefing, it was learned that among the top ten highest-priced artworks and top ten highest-priced jewelry pieces sold globally in the first half of the year, Christie’s accounted for 7 and 9 items, respectively. Of the nearly $2.1 billion in sales, buyers from the Americas contributed the most at 45%; buyers from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa accounted for 34%, while Asia Pacific buyers contributed 21%. Within this, the Asian spring auctions achieved $284 million in sales, with hammer prices reaching 108% of the low estimate and a sell-through rate of nearly 90%.
However, in recent years, the proportion of Asia Pacific sales in Christie’s total sales has declined, dropping from 28% in 2023 to 26% in 2024.
Francis Belin stated in an interview following the 2025 mid-year results briefing.
Notably, in the first half of this year, new buyers from the Asia Pacific region contributed 40% of Christie’s global new buyer spending, with over one-third of that coming from mainland Chinese buyers.
With this leadership change, Christie’s hopes that Kadakia can further unlock the company’s potential in the Asia Pacific region and drive its business to new heights. This means that Kadakia, who officially takes office in January next year, faces the test of how to attract younger new collectors to boost Asia Pacific performance.