Orlando Rock is Chairman of Christie’s UK. He is recognised as one of the world’s leading specialists in the decorative arts, and has been with Christie's for 25 years.
Orlando works closely with the Chairman’s office teams and the specialist departments. Orlando has travelled extensively around the UK working closely with clients, professional advisors, institutions and those responsible for some of the most important historic houses in the country. Formerly Director and Head of Private Collections and Country House Sales, he was the inspiration behind the highly successful Exceptional Sales, now held annually in both London and New York.
Orlando started at Christie's London in 1990, having graduated with first class Honours in History from the University of Bristol. He transferred to Christie's New York in 1998, where he oversaw many historic sales including those from Houghton, Bute and Longleat, to French furniture from the Alexander and Riahi Collection. In 2002, Orlando returned to London to head the newly-established Private Collection and Country House Sale Department. He was appointed Deputy Chairman of Christie’s UK in 2009, becoming Executive Director of the UK Chairman’s Office the following year. In 2012 Orlando was appointed Deputy Chairman of Christie’s in Europe and the following year, International Head of Decorative Arts - before becoming UK Chairman in 2015.
Orlando works closely with the Chairman’s office teams and the specialist departments. Orlando has travelled extensively around the UK working closely with clients, professional advisors, institutions and those responsible for some of the most important historic houses in the country. Formerly Director and Head of Private Collections and Country House Sales, he was the inspiration behind the highly successful Exceptional Sales, now held annually in both London and New York.
Orlando started at Christie's London in 1990, having graduated with first class Honours in History from the University of Bristol. He transferred to Christie's New York in 1998, where he oversaw many historic sales including those from Houghton, Bute and Longleat, to French furniture from the Alexander and Riahi Collection. In 2002, Orlando returned to London to head the newly-established Private Collection and Country House Sale Department. He was appointed Deputy Chairman of Christie’s UK in 2009, becoming Executive Director of the UK Chairman’s Office the following year. In 2012 Orlando was appointed Deputy Chairman of Christie’s in Europe and the following year, International Head of Decorative Arts - before becoming UK Chairman in 2015.
