Christie’s appoints Rahul Kadakia as APAC president
Bonnie Brennan, the auction house’s global CEO, has appointed Rahul Kadakia as Christie’s new president in Asia Pacific. He will take up the role from January 2026.
Kadakia will also assume responsibility of the global luxury and Asian and world art groups.
Having joined Christie’s in London in 1996, Kadakia has held leadership roles across Geneva, New York, and now Hong Kong. He currently holds the position of head of jewellery.
Kadakia’s appointment comes after news broke in July that current APAC president Francis Belin would be stepping down in September.
In the interim, Christie’s Asia Pacific will be jointly led by Kevin Ching, chairman of Asia, and Audrey Shum, managing director of Asia Pacific.
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Belin has led the relocation of the auction house’s Asia Pacific headquarters to The Henderson, a new landmark in Central Hong Kong. Christie’s officially opened its new APAC headquarters, spanning four floors and totaling approximately 50,000 square feet, in September 2024.
Kadakia, who will take over Belin’s position from January 2026, will relocate to Hong Kong for the role.
Christie’s CEO Bonnie Brennan said the appointment comes at an “important moment for the art market in the region”.
She said: “His appointment marks our ongoing commitment to Asia Pacific and our faith in his ability to lead the dedicated teams who are based around the region – from our Hong Kong and Shanghai salerooms to our teams beyond in Bangkok, Beijing, Jakarta, Mumbai, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo. We are proud of our market leadership in Asia Pacific and see the potential to further grow our business, embracing the rich cultures and diversity it represents.”
Kadakia said of his new position: “I am honoured to accept the new role of president for Christie’s Asia Pacific. Having worked with colleagues in Asia and directed sales there for over three decades, I look forward to moving to Hong Kong to take on this new important challenge and I am excited to bring my skills and passion to Christie’s in Asia. Having started my career at Christie’s London in 1996, followed by time in Geneva and New York, I am incredibly grateful for the trust the board of Christie’s has placed in me.”
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