LONDON.- Bonhams announced this week that Ralph Taylor will head the Post War and Contemporary Department and has also been appointed a Director to the UK Board.

His appointment as Head and Senior Director of this key department follows the recent opening of the company’s brand new corporate headquarters at 101 New Bond Street.

Matthew Girling, Bonhams CEO, comments: “For the past year our focus has been on creating the best new auction facility in Britain. Now that this £30m project is complete, and recently opened by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, our focus has moved to building on the success of our picture departments.”

“Last year we produced the most valuable Russian picture ever sold at auction – a Roerich for £7.9m – and the most valuable Old Master Painting sold last year – the wonderful Fragonard which made £17.1m. We are now intent on building on this momentum by adding significant new strength to our pictures operation.”

Speaking about his new brief, Ralph Taylor says: “I am delighted to be venturing back into the auction world, particularly at this auspicious moment for Bonhams. With an excellent team already in place and a bold and creative strategy I am confident of an exciting time ahead for the Post War and Contemporary Art Department.”

Most recently he was Managing Director, Sales and Acquisitions, at Lazarides Gallery in London, where he was based since March 2008. Prior to that he worked as a specialist in Sotheby’s Contemporary Art department for three years, and two years in the Paintings department of another major international auction house.

He has an MA in 20th Century European Modernism, Courtauld Institute of Art London, 2004-5.