As the 2021 Hong Kong spring auction was about to raise its hammer, Sotheby's suddenly heard the shocking news of "change of dynasty." Kevin Ching, the chief executive officer (CEO) of this leading auction house in Asia, announced today (8th) that he will retire at the end of the year-after April, he will become the executive chairman of Asia, and then transition to the position of honorary chairman at the end of the year. Shuai Yin will be taken over by Nathan Drahi after the spring auction. This young man is only 26 years old and is the son of Sotheby's boss Patrick Drahi (French media tycoon). He will lead Sotheby's to develop Asian business in the new era, with a new title of Managing Director.

Kevin Ching joined Sotheby’s in 2006 as Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby’s Asia, responsible for developing the strategic expansion of the company in the region, particularly into mainland China.

He was previously a board executive director and group legal counsel of the public company Dickson Concepts (International) Limited in charge of its legal and general business affairs in the international world of luxury fashion, watches and jewellery.  Kevin had special responsibilities for business development and operations of luxury retail in China, and was instrumental in the opening and development of Seibu department stores in China and Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong.

Prior to joining Dickson Concepts (International) Limited, Kevin was a partner in Johnson Stokes & Master, one of the largest law firms in Hong Kong.  He was also its Chief Representative in Beijing.  Kevin specialised in the areas of banking, international shipping, commercial law, investments in China, as well as sino-foreign joint ventures and arbitration.

Kevin was educated both in Hong Kong and England, and holds a masters degree in law from London University.  He studied English law, Soviet law, Air and Space law as well as Customary and Modern Chinese law.  Apart from Hong Kong, Kevin is also qualified to practise law in Singapore, England and Wales, as well as Victoria, Australia.

Nathan Drahi joined Sotheby’s in 2020 as Commercial Officer. Based in Hong Kong, Nathan oversees business transactions and strategic projects in Asia. Previously, he was based in London and worked in private equity at BC Partners and investment banking at J.P. Morgan. Nathan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from HEC Lausanne.