The association, which has 330 dealer members, has appointed a marketing professional to fill a role it describes as "transformational".
Marco Forgione, former chief executive of the events industry trade body EVCOM, has been hired for "his experience in transforming associations, working internationally and building effective membership brands", BADA council chairman Michael Cohen said.
Mark Dodgson continues as the association's secretary general.
Experts and Leaders
Forgione, who led the 2013 merger of two marketing trade associations to create EVCOM, said BADA had a distinct niche as "an exclusive community of recognised experts, internationally regarded leaders in the art and antiques industry".
BADA's creation of a CEO role follows the recent appointment of former deputy mayor of London, Victoria Borwick, MP, as BADA president and Madeleine Williams as BADA fair manager.
"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," Cohen said.
Forgione told ATG that "revitalising the way BADA communicates and presents itself" was one of his main tasks, including exploiting digital and mobile communications "to grow our influence and engagement".
He will also look to provide support "for the next generation of dealers" and link with dealers overseas. "We live and operate in a global marketplace, so it is fundamental to BADA that we engage with the leading dealers and clients internationally," Forgione said.
An interview with Marco Forgione will appear in next week's ATG print publication (issue 2207).
