New BADA boss to boost profile

The British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA) has announced the appointment of a chief executive officer in a newly created post staring on Monday 7th September.

Marco Forgione, BADA CEOMarco Forgione, the former chief executive of EVCOM, trade body of the events industry, is tasked with promoting the organisation in the UK and overseas and boosting its profile. The post has been established as part of BADA’s transformation strategy, as the association prepares for its centenary celebrations in 2018.

As CEO Forgione will be supported by Mark Dodgson, who will continue as Secretary General. Dodgson has a longstanding and in-depth knowledge of the antiques trade and the particular issues and challenges faced by dealers.

Forgione’s appointment is the latest and most significant step in BADA’s reorganisation of the executive team, following the recent appointment of Madeleine Williams as BADA Fair Manager.

Forgione is a marketing and communication professional with considerable senior experience in transforming associations. Forgione joins BADA from EVCOM (the Event and Visual Communication Association) the membership association for the events, film and digital communication industry, where he was CEO for seven years.

Forgione led the creation of EVCOM, which was formed by the merger of two trade associations, Eventia and the International Visual Communication Association (IVCA).

This new executive team combined with the recent appointment of Victoria Borwick MP as BADA President provides BADA members and the association with a dynamic, effective and experienced team that will ensure BADA remains a significant leader for the art and antique trade, both nationally and internationally.

BADA Council’s rigorous search for their CEO was undertaken by Berwick Partners, a division of Odgers Berndtson, the UK’s leading executive search firm.

Chairman of the BADA Council, Michael Cohen, commenting on Marco Forgione’s appointment, said: “I am delighted to welcome Marco to lead BADA’s team and to help us promote everything BADA and our membership represent to the wider world.

“His experience in transforming associations, working internationally and building effective membership brands will be invaluable in leading BADA, helping our members exploit existing and future opportunities and in overcoming the challenges our industry faces. As we look to celebrate our centenary in 2018 BADA has invested significantly in ensuring we have the team to build an organisation ready to lead our industry for the future.”

Marco Forgione, BADA CEO, said: “I am excited to be joining BADA at this momentous time, in particular as we look forward to our centenary in 2018.”

“BADA represents an exclusive community of recognised experts, internationally regarded leaders in the art and antique industry. As CEO it is my role to lead in transforming BADA, to help our expert members overcome the challenges our industry faces and to seize the tremendous opportunities, which exist both in the UK and internationally.

“A very firm foundation has been built over the past 97 years, current initiatives such as BADA’s Certificates of Provenance have provided new opportunities for the membership and the BADA Fair is internationally recognised as a leading business platform for the art and antiques market.

“I’m looking forward to using my skills and experiences to develop the organisation so that it continues to remain ready and fit to lead the art and antique industry for years to come.”

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