LONDON.- Christie’s today announced the appointment of Nicholas Eldred as Group General Counsel based in London. In this role he will oversee Christie’s legal affairs globally and advise the company’s executive team and businesses worldwide on matters of governance, risk and compliance.

Steven Murphy, Christie’s Chief Executive Officer commented: “We are tremendously pleased that after a decade of exemplary work managing the legal affairs of the BBC, Nicholas has chosen to join us at Christie’s. His proven leadership abilities, keen legal and business insight and excellent judgment make him the ideal partner for our management team as we take our global growth strategy forward.”

As Group General Counsel, Mr Eldred will ensure that Christie’s management and businesses are provided with proactive expert advice on legal corporate issues. He will provide strategic direction to the company’s Legal Department, ensuring alignment with Christie’s broader business objectives. He will also provide legal counsel on major transactions and contracts, key corporate issues, intellectual property, competition, litigation and employment issues.

Mr. Eldred joins Christie’s after ten years with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) where he most recently held the role of Group General Counsel and Secretary. This senior role encompassed legal, regulatory, commercial and management responsibilities. He led a team of 70 staff members and worked closely with senior management to provide strategic legal, business and governance advice on all aspects of the BBC’s affairs, in the UK and Internationally. Earlier in his career, after qualifying as a solicitor, Mr. Eldred worked for leading firm Simmons and Simmons in their corporate team before moving to British Telecom (BT) and BT Cellnet, where he held the roles of Head of Mergers and Acquisitions and Director of Legal and Business Affairs and Company Secretary respectively.