Kevin Ching has joined Christie’s as the auction house’s president for Asia, following a long tenure at Sotheby’s as managing director in Asia from 2006 to 2021.
Ching will take up his new role on Wednesday May 24, based in Hong Kong and reporting to Francis Belin, president of Christie’s Asia Pacific.
Rebecca Yuancao Yang, a media industry veteran who assumed the role of president of Christie’s China in August 2021, based in Shanghai, remains in that role.
While at Sotheby’s, Ching was instrumental in the auction house’s expansion into mainland China, overseeing sales such as Zhang Daqian’s. Fascinating landscape painting for a record $47 million last year (after Ching quit his full-time job at the company). Prior to Sotheby’s, Ching was in the legal profession – Executive Director of the Board and Group Counsel to Dickson Concepts, and before that a partner at the law firm Johnson Stokes & Masters.
“Asian market momentum continues to be strong and influential globally, and Kevin’s appointment is part of Christie’s long-term strategic commitment to strengthen our business in the region as we prepare for the crucial move of our Asia-Pacific headquarters to The Henderson in Hong Kong in 2024,” Belin said.
Ching states that “his passion for the industry is unwavering and this role will allow me to further nurture and cultivate relationships with esteemed collectors in Asia.”
