Christie’s has appointed Alex Rotter as its new global president, marking another leadership change at the auction house. Rotter, who previously led the 20th- and 21st-century art department, will retain those responsibilities while developing strategies for auction and private sales. He joined Christie’s in 2017 and oversaw record-breaking sales including Jeff Koons’s *Rabbit* ($91.1m), Andy Warhol’s *Shot Sage Blue Marilyn* ($195m), and the *Salvator Mundi* attributed to Leonardo da Vinci ($450.3m). The appointment was made by CEO Bonnie Brennan, who succeeded Guillaume Cerutti earlier this year.
The leadership shuffle comes as Christie’s and its rivals prepare for spring sales in New York amid a contracting art market, macroeconomic uncertainty, and trade-war fears. Despite the challenging climate, Christie’s has lined up major lots including a Jean-Michel Basquiat triptych (est. $20m–$30m), an Andy Warhol electric chair canvas (est. over $30m), and a Claude Monet riverscape (est. $30m–$50m). Rotter’s promotion signals the firm’s focus on cross-category strategies and high-value private sales to navigate a volatile market.