LONDON, ENGLAND.- The Directors of Bonhams, the privately-owned British fine art auction house, have announced that Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America, acquired on 1 August, 2002, will do business from 1 January 2003 under the new name of Bonhams and Butterfields.

Robert Brooks, the Chairman of Bonhams, said: “The acquisition of Butterfields, with its salerooms in San Francisco and Los Angeles, gave Bonhams its first permanent presence in the United States. We now intend to build on that presence and make the Bonhams name truly global. Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of Britain’s oldest auction companies and Butterfields, founded in 1865 during the Gold Rush era, is one of America’s oldest. Working together under the Bonhams banner, we will make our company the pre-eminent auction house of choice for buyers and sellers of fine art worldwide.”

Also from 1 January, Malcolm Barber, Bonhams’ Group Managing Director, will assume the additional responsibility as Chief Executive Officer of Bonhams and Butterfields. Mr Barber takes over from Geoff Iddison, who will step down as CEO but continue to give help and support on a consultancy basis.

Mr Barber said he would be splitting his time between London and San Francisco and was keen to underline the fact that his Group Managing Director duties, together with his responsibilities to his clients, would remain unaffected by the move. “I am looking forward to working closely with our colleagues in California … and to getting more involved with the car sales we stage in America! “

In a related move, it was also announced that as from 1 January, Robert Bleasdale, currently Regional Director of Bonhams in the Midlands and North of England, will take on the new role as Managing Director of Bonhams UK regional network. Roger Hollest, currently Group Head of Furniture, will take on the additional role of Managing Director of the New Bond Street saleroom.