She brings 25 years of luxury experience.
(Press Release) NEW YORK — Sotheby’s (NYSE: BID) announces the appointment of Laurence Nicolas as executive vice president, global managing director, jewelry and watches – a position at the junction of two of Sotheby’s fastest growing categories. Reporting to the company’s CEO, Tad Smith, Nicolas will lead the various channels of Sotheby’s jewelry and watch businesses, including auction, private, e-commerce and retail sales, as well as Sotheby’s Diamonds.
Nicolas brings 25 years of luxury experience and management of leading international brands to Sotheby’s, joining the company from Christian Dior Couture where she was appointed CEO of Dior Timepieces & Fine Jewelry in 2001. There, she created the Fine Jewelry division in 2001, followed by the Timepieces division in 2008. Nicolas also occupied key positions at Cartier between 1990 and 2001, where she was involved in the international retail and marketing operations of the brand.
“Our jewelry and watch businesses operate in markets much larger than the art market, and this newly created role has been designed to strengthen our cross-platform strategy and take advantage of the significant opportunity,” said Tad Smith, Sotheby’s CEO. “Laurence’s creativity, energy and experience will no doubt be inspirational for the talented teams she will lead, while also further enhancing our clients’ experience and fostering Sotheby’s growth in these two key areas.”
With Sotheby’s team across the U.S., Europe and Asia, as well as the support of David Bennett, worldwide chairman of the international jewelry division, and Daryn Schnipper, chairman of the International Watch Division, Nicolas will join the company on Feb. 1 and be based in New York.
“I am thrilled to start a new challenge within such a leading and venerable company and look forward to working with Tad and the Sotheby’s team to further develop the jewelry and watch businesses,” said Nicolas. “Given the smart and passionate people that I have already met in the Company, and the amazing history and expertise Sotheby’s has built since 1744, I believe the potential for growth is tremendous. I am confident that together, we can conceive and execute plans to drive consistent sales and growth.”
Nicolas holds a BS “Grande Ecole” Master Degree with specialization in international finance from NEOMA Business School. Before entering the luxury space, Nicolas began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Capgemini.