Christie’s names new jewellery leadership team

Christie’s has announced new leadership for its jewellery department, with Max Fawcett appointed global head of jewellery and Claibourne Poindexter named head of department for the Americas. Both will take up their new roles on 1 January 2026.

Based in Geneva, Fawcett joined Christie’s 10 years ago and was most recently head of jewellery for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. During his time with the auction house, he has worked as both specialist and auctioneer, leading record-breaking sales in London, Geneva, Hong Kong and New York.

Fawcett began his career in Munich as an apprentice with antique jeweller Ernst Farber, before moving to New York to work as a dealer specialising in coloured stones and natural pearls.

Poindexter, who has played a key role in expanding Christie’s jewellery business in the United States, will now oversee all jewellery sales across the Americas. His focus will be on growth and client engagement in the region.

Rahul Kadakia, president of Christie’s Asia Pacific and chairman of the global luxury group, said: “Max and Claibourne embody the expertise, passion, and global perspective that define Christie’s jewellery department.

“Max’s deep specialist knowledge, exceptional client relationships, and leadership across multiple regions make him the natural choice to lead our global team. Claibourne’s energy, understanding of our business, and strong client connections position him perfectly to drive growth in the Americas.”

Christie’s said its jewellery division continued to perform strongly, selling nine of the ten highest-value jewels offered worldwide at auction in the first half of 2025. The company also reported a 25% rise in category growth over the same period.

A New York sale in June achieved the highest result in the history of Christie’s jewellery auctions in the city, which the firm said reinforced its position as a global leader in the market.