PARIS, FRANCE.-Sotheby’s today announced the appointment of Guillaume Cerutti as President-directeur General (PDG) of Sotheby’s France, effective September 1st. Mr. Cerutti, who was the Managing Director of the Centre Pompidou from 1996 to 2001 and later the Chief of Staff to the French Minister of Culture, has more recently headed the Department of Consumer and Competitive Affairs at the French Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Guillaume Cerutti succeeds Philipp Wurttemberg, who was appointed President-directeur General for Sotheby’s France in January 2004 and was promoted earlier this year to Vice Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe. In this capacity Philipp Württemberg will work closely with Henry Wyndham, Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, leading Sotheby’s European business development team in all client relationship activities. He will still be involved in business-getting in France working closely with Laure de Beauvau Craon, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby’s Europe and Honorary Chairman of Sotheby’s France. He will also continue to conduct major auctions in Paris, Amsterdam, Geneva and London.

“I am particularly honored to join Sotheby’s, whose roots date back to the eighteenth century and which is the world leader in its field. Along the way the Company has built one of the most admired brands in the world. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to further extend Sotheby’s reputation for superior performance and innovation in France” said Guillaume Cerutti.

Commented Robin Woodhead, Chief Executive of Sotheby’s International: “With Paris playing an increasingly important role in Sotheby’s global operations, and today one of our four major selling centers, this is a very exciting time for Sotheby’s in France. Guillaume Cerutti’s outstanding management and art world experience makes him a highly valuable addition both to our French operations and to our international leadership team”.

“Over the last four years, Philipp Württemberg has successfully developed and reinforced our French operations” continued Mr. Woodhead. “As a result, the first half of 2007 has been our best ever in France, with combined local sales and exports up almost 90% and with first time sales ever in Impressionist, Contemporary and Asian Art. Philipp’s time in France, together with his first-hand experience in the other key markets for Sotheby’s in Europe – Germany, Switzerland and London among them – perfectly position him for his new pan- European role.”