Our Team
Robert James, MRICS
Robert has a degree in Fine Art Valuation (BA Hons) from Southampton Solent University and trained at Christie’s auctioneers in London. He has a broad knowledge of the Fine and Decorative Arts and is regularly instructed as an expert witness in civil, criminal and family court cases. Robert has extensive art market experience and has close working relationships with leading practitioners within the fields of art insurance, law and conservation. He is a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Arts & Antiques Faculty) and an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).
Cécilia Battin, MA
Cécilia is a graduate of the University of Lyon and holds a Masters degree in Business Law and Art History. She is fluent in French, Spanish and English and holds a further post-graduate qualification in Art Law and Taxation. Cécilia started her career in France with a firm of Parisian auctioneers and later joined Christie’s in London. Cecilia is regularly instructed as an art expert by leading firms of loss adjusters and law firms to provide forensic valuation reports and advise in high value art insurance claims and dispute resolution.
Sandy Rich
Sandy has enjoyed a long and successful career in the art insurance industry, including roles as a Senior Account Executive at Aon Private Clients, Associate Director at Blackwall Green and Director of Art Insurance at Richard Thompson Insurance Brokers. Sandy has been an advisor to some of the world’s leading art insurers, brokers, private collectors, art dealers and museums. His expertise includes risk management, valuation and claims handling for high-value artworks and collections. Sandy studied History of Art, Modern & 19th Century at the University of Oxford.
Justin Roberts, FGA, DGA
Justin Roberts has over 25 years as a senior jewellery specialist and historian working for several international auction houses. Starting his career at Phillips auctioneers working in both London and Geneva as a jewellery expert, he was later appointed a deputy director of Sotheby’s jewellery department in London. Justin has worked on the valuation and sale of numerous highly important jewellery collections including The Duchess of Windsor, Daisy Fellowes, Lady Hesketh, the Duchess of Roxburghe and Catherine the Great.
Simon Green
Simon Green spent 25 years at Christie’s auctioneers, primarily based in South Kensington, where he became a Director in 2005. After his time at Christie’s Simon was an advisor to the National Trust from 2018 to 2020. Simon was also a board member of the Arts and Antiques faculty of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) from 2001 to 2010.
Consultants
Richard Lester
Richard studied and trained with Sotheby’s Auctioneers in London and has been an art valuer for over thirty years. He is also a specialist in fashion and vintage clothing and has provided valuations of important collections for museums, societies and guilds. Richard is also a well known author of fashion books and publications, including works such as “John Bates: Fashion Designer,” which delves into the career of the notable fashion designer.
Francois Le Brun
Francois is our European furniture consultant and is a former senior director of Christie’s and Bonham’s. After learning the business in the auctioneering world, learning from the bottom up, from the beginning as a porter to a specialist and auctioneer, Francois now joins the long family tradition of Antique dealing (4th generation) and has set up his company Le Brun, Antiques & Works of Art Ltd.
Claire Grindey, MRICS
Claire is an independent fine art consultant based in London. She is a former silver and objects of vertu specialist at Sotheby’s London and Amsterdam. She has also lectured for Sotheby’s Institute on the MA Contemporary Design course and worked for Christoph Behling Design for LVMH. In addition, Claire serves on the board for RICS Art and Antiques, advising on art market issues, and as a trustee for The Commonwealth Conservatory Foundation.
Alexander Clements, MRICS
Alexander is an Asian art and European ceramics and former director of Bonham’s. Alexander values and catalogues a range of Chinese, Japanese, Islamic and other Eastern works of art including ceramics, bronzes, ivories, prints and pictures for auction sale, insurance and probate purposes.
Emma Saber
Emma is our antiquities expert and a former specialist at Christie’s auctioneers. In her role as a consultant for Christie’s London Antiquities Department, Emma has been instrumental in significant sales, including the Jenkins Venus in 2002, the Crosby Garret Helmet in 2011, and the Egyptian limestone statue of Sekhemka in 2014.
Pat Frost
Pat Frost is a senior textiles and costume specialist with over 30 years of experience in the fashion and textile industry. She began her career at Christie’s, where she served as Director and Specialist Head of Textiles and Costumes sales. During her tenure, she curated notable exhibitions, including the Daphne Guinness exhibition, and played a pivotal role in the auction house’s fashion ventures.
Archie Parker
Archie Parker is the founder of The Parker Gallery, specialising in Old Master and 19th-century paintings and drawings. With a career spanning over two decades, he has held prominent positions in the art auction industry, including: Dreweatt’s & Bloomsbury Auctions as Head of Old Master & 19th Century Paintings and Bonhams as a Senior Specialist in Old Master paintings.
