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Bonhams names Sotheby’s Amayès Aouli as new global head of wine and spirits

24 January 2024 By Arabella Mileham

Bonhams auction house has named Amayès Aouli, previously the head of continental Europe and UK at Sotheby’s Wine, as its new global head of wine and spirits as the first of a series of senior exec moves.

Aouli, whose new role unites wine and spirits, will be based in France, leading the global team across the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Richard Harvey MW, who established Bonhams Wine Department in 1997, will become Chairman of the department, which the auction house said would “ensure continuity in Europe with long-standing clients”, while further new senior roles in the US, Europe and Asia will be announced later in the year.

In his previous role as head of continental Europe & UK at Sotheby’s, Aouli launched the Wine department in Continental Europe and managed more than 30 different auctions, breaking records, including the biggest charity wine sale in history, the 162nd Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction, which raised $32m.

Pior to joining Sotheby’s, Aouli spent ten years as an executive director at J.P. Morgan, where he played a key role in developing the business across Europe, having spend time working for a number of financial institutions in the UK, the US and Hong Kong. During this time he pursued his passion for wine, building his knowledge and relationships with collectors, producers, and merchants over a period of 20 years, as well as graduating from the WSET in both wines and spirits. He also has a Master’s degree from EDHEC Business School in France and studied at Seoul National University, South Korea.

Bruno Vinciguerra, Bonhams Global CEO said he was delighted to welcome Aouli, noting that the breadth of his experience and wide range of relationships among collectors and producers “will take the Wine and Spirits Department from strength to strength”.

“The department is a strategic priority for us and Amayès will further our presence in the market with a global overview, establishing a new programme of wine and spirits sales around the world,” he said.

In response, Aouli said he looked forward to his new role, calling the auction house “one of the most trusted and reputable departments in the business”. He said he also looked forward to building on the success of Bonhams Wine & Spirits in a fast-moving market and to providing its clients with access to the global market as well as “the very best local support”.