With 25 years' experience in the luxury goods industry, Laurence Nicolas has just been appointed Vice President and Global Managing Director for Jewelry and Watches at Sotheby's. Reporting to Tad Smith, the group's Chairman and CEO, she will lead the jewelry and watch strategy, including public sales, private sales and e-commerce, as well as Sotheby's Diamonds.
Prior to joining Sotheby's, Laurence Nicolas was President and CEO of Christian Dior Couture's Watch and Jewelry division since 2001. As soon as she was appointed, she created the Haute Joaillerie division, before setting up the Watch division in 2008. She also held key positions at Cartier between 1990 and 2001, notably in international retail and customer marketing.
Sotheby's Group Chairman Tad Smith said: "Our jewelry and watch business operates in much wider markets than the art market. This new position has been designed to reinforce our multi-platform strategy and enable us to seize the considerable opportunity presented to us." He added thathe creativity, energy and experience of Laurence Nicolas will undoubtedly be a source of inspiration for the talented teams she will lead. She will be instrumental in furthering the service to our customers and the growth of Sotheby's in these two key areas."
Laurence Nicolas will join Sotheby's global headquarters in New York from February 1, 2018. She will work closely with an exceptional team based between the United States, Europe and Asia, helped by the invaluable support of David Bennett, Global President of the International Jewelry Division and Daryn Schnipper, President of the International Watch Division.