Karen Keane and Steve Fletcher are both stepping back from day-to-day operational responsibilities as of the end of this year. Both will devote their time to business development. Photo courtesy Bonhams Skinner.

BOSTON – As of the end of December 2022, both Karen Keane and Steve Fletcher will relinquish some of their day-to-day operational responsibilities. Both are remaining with the company and both will have more time to focus on outreach to new and existing clients. Both have been with Skinner for decades; in Fletcher’s case, for more than 50 years and both have appeared frequently on The Antiques Roadshow. Keane will be chairman emeritus of Bonhams Skinner; Fletcher will remain executive vice president. Both will focus on business development and building the Bonhams Skinner brand. Both have said they’re looking forward to having time to devote to personal interests. Marie Keep, Skinner senior vice president, has been named managing director for Bonhams Skinner, and Chris Fox has been named director of the American furniture and decorative arts department.

Keane commented “The Bonhams Skinner merger is almost a year old. So much has happened to bolster the operations of Skinner. We’re poised for a new generation of senior management at the firm. It’s exciting to see veteran senior appraisers like Kerry Shrives and Stuart Slavid mentoring a new staff. We’ve added staff in customer service and within the specialty departments. Each department has dedicated staff members to help communicate seamlessly with consignors and buyers alike. This work behind the scenes is freeing specialists to be more front facing, acquiring fine property to bring to auction.”

Fletcher told Antiques and The Arts Weekly, “I plan to contribute whatever I can when it’s to the company’s interests. I’m looking forward to being able devote time to work with collectors developing their collections and seeking consignments similar to the great collections we’ve sold over the past decades.”

Bonham’s is committed to developing a team and providing resources that will work for both buyers and sellers. We spoke with Leslie Wright, Bonhams’ chairman North America, who said, “I’m really enthusiastic about the future. Skinner was the perfect fit for Bonhams. The ‘culture’ of a company is very important to us as we develop our world-wide network and Skinner’s culture matches ours. There’d be no Skinner today if it weren’t for Steve and Karen. Steve Fletcher is one of the most respected people in the world of American decorative arts and his contributions as we move forward will be crucial. Bonhams intends to develop a team of the very best specialists in all areas, worldwide, to provide our clients with the best service and advice possible. We’re very digitally focused and we intend to explore ways to take advantage of technological advances. We intend to be a very ‘approachable’ organization. It’s going to be an exciting time.”