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Christie’s appoints Adam Bilbey as global head of wine and spirits

Christie’s has announced that Adam Bilbey has been appointed global head of the Wine and Spirits Department, based in Hong Kong.

Bilbey will oversee and innovate strategic initiatives of the category, and lead Christie’s global wine specialist teams to win consignments, drive sales, uplift client acquisition and engagement for live and online auctions, and private sales, with the aim of solidifying Christie’s market position and expanding the wine business worldwide.

Francis Belin, president, Christie’s Asia Pacific, commented: “The appointment of Adam Bilbey and having him based in Hong Kong, not only demonstrates our continued investment in teams, but also reflects our commitment to Asia and our confidence in the region, where we witness a rapidly growing client base and appetite for fine and rare wines, as well as an increasing number of overseas collectors convening here to sell and acquire vinous treasures.

“Adam possesses a wealth of experience and deep knowledge of the industry with a global perspective, which will further help the department adapt in the dynamic market. We fondly anticipate Adam’s arrival at Christie’s Asia, and his contribution to our global wine business in 2022 and beyond.”

Prior to joining Christie’s, Bilbey was head of Wine and Spirits at Sotheby’s Asia since 2015. He orchestrated sales including Transcendent Wines (sale total over US$20M), The Philanthropist’s Cellar (sale total over US$15M), Wines from the Cellar of Joseph Lau Part I & Part II (combined sale total over US$10M), and introduced the largest ever single owner spirits sale with The Ultimate Whisky Collection.

Speaking of his new position, Bilbey said: “It is with great excitement that I join Christie’s and in particular the fantastic Wine and Spirits Department that is steeped in such history. I look forward to working with the global wine specialist teams to bring to market the world’s greatest wine and spirits collections, and presenting them to our clients all over the world.

“I have watched with admiration the great work Francis Belin and the Asia Team have done over recent times, and I look forward to contributing to their continued success.”

Adam also has experience in Europe and Asia from his tenure at Berry Bros. & Rudd (BB&R) in the UK, Hong Kong, and Japan. He moved to Hong Kong with BB&R in 2010 as Sales Manager, and progressed to Sales Director in 2013. Adam is also a consummate auctioneer.

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