New president for BADA

Victoria Borwick BADA presidentThe former deputy mayor of London, Victoria Borwick, MP has been announced as the new president of the British Antique Dealers’ Association.

Lady Borwick has considerable experience of the antiques industry as well as of political life. She was director of the London-based Olympia Antiques fairs for 11 years, from 1990 to 2001, which provided her with an insight into the business operations of antique dealers and an excellent understanding of the industry.

Victoria’s political life began in 2002 when she became a councillor for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, which includes the antique dealing districts of Kensington Church Street and Portobello Road. As a councillor she has represented the interests of antique dealers in the borough and lobbied central government for greater localised planning powers to protect the distinctive character of the Portobello antiques market.

Victoria was elected to the London Assembly in 2008 and under Boris Johnson became deputy mayor of London in 2012. At this year’s general election she was elected Member of Parliament for Kensington.

Speaking about her appointment Victoria Borwick said, “I am honoured to accept the position of president of BADA. Over more than 25 years I have admired the art and antique dealer members of BADA, their knowledge, business acumen and tenacity.

“I relish being given the opportunity of representing the Association and, ever conscious of the difficulties facing the UK trade, will use my experience to do all I can to help the dealers in this wonderful industry.”

BADA presidentMichael Cohen from Cohen & Cohen, Chairman of BADA, said, “We welcome Victoria Borwick at an interesting time for both Victoria and the trade. We are incredibly grateful that she has been prepared to represent BADA, a role that I know she will fall into easily and seamlessly.”

BADA Secretary General, Mark Dodgson, also commented, “I look forward to Victoria’s presidency. She will be a fitting representative for the members of the Association and her ability to grasp an issue quickly and to run with it will be of enormous value to the membership”.

Also at the Annual General Meeting Nicolas Norton, from Bond Street jewellers, S J Phillips Ltd, stood down from the BADA Council after serving for a record 43 years as a councillor. Nicolas Norton is pictured above to the left of Victoria Borwick, with BADA Chairman, Michael Cohen, on the right.

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