We are delighted to announce that James Pickup has been appointed to the Sworders Board of Directors, stepping up to his new role on the 1st January 2022. James’ appointment brings the total number of Board Directors up to five.
1 March 2022
James joined the business in 2015, running the fortnightly Homes & Interiors sales for three years before moving up to take the reins of the Fine Interiors department. He has since overseen the transformation of this quarterly flagship sale, developing it, and shaping it into a curated, interior design led operation.
His passion for presentation has seen him enhance Sworders’ industry-leading catalogues, and many of the new initiatives that he and his team have rolled out have filtered through to other departments.
James’ breadth of experience places him in good stead to excel in his new role. Speaking with him, he states “having been with Sworders for a number of years, tasked with growing and enhancing individual sales, I am now looking forward to working on new initiatives on a wider level and contributing my skills to progress the company as a whole”.
James will maintain his position as Head of Fine Interiors alongside his Directorship, to continue the strategic development of these sales.
In a statement from Sworders’ Managing Director Paul Martin, he quotes “the pace of change in our industry continues to increase, led by technology, and the way in which we present ourselves to our audiences is becoming ever more critical. Sworders will be concentrating efforts in this area in the coming months and years, and James’ input will be of great importance”.
James hopes that through his appointment he can help maintain Sworders position as one of the most forward-thinking and progressive auction houses in the country, stating “we have an incredible team here, and I see huge potential for continued growth, particularly in terms of our online presence”.
We all wish him the very best of luck in his new venture.
With the third instalment of The Paolo Moschino Edit featuring in our 16-17 September Fine Interiors auction (lots 536–572), we had the pleasure of speaking with co-owners and directors Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen to discuss what inspires their distinctive aesthetic, the enduring importance of antiques, and why instinct - guided by discipline - is essential when sourcing at auction.
9 September 2025
Two remarkable Roman Imperial sculptures have starred as celebrated highlights in Sworders recent sales, and if you are considering consigning, we would love to hear from you. Combining academic rigour with market insight, Sworders’ Ancient Art and Antiquities Department is committed to excellence at every stage of the consignment journey, and the results speak for themselves.
8 September 2025
In association with The Fry Art Gallery, Sworders is delighted to be hosting an exclusive evening with acclaimed illustrator, painter, and printmaker Chloë Cheese, as she reflects on a life steeped in art and on the evolving role of women in the creative world.
4 September 2025