Hindman New York Appoints Caroline Baker Smith As Senior Director, Trusts, Estates & Private Clients

NEW YORK OFFICE CONTINUES TO EXPAND FOLLOWING LAUNCH LAST FALL

NEW YORK – Hindman, a leading national fine art auction house with a global buyer base, announces Caroline Baker Smith has joined the firm as Senior Director of Trusts, Estates & Private Clients in its New York office. In partnership with Gemma Sudlow, Managing Director of the New York Region, Smith will work closely with Hindman’s four additional salerooms throughout the country – Chicago, Palm Beach, Cincinnati, and Denver – and the Boston office to expand the firm's presence throughout the Northeast. Smith’s appointment follows Hindman’s recent expansion into New York, a key growth market for important estates and private collections.

With over a decade of auction industry experience, Smith brings significant trusts and estates experience to Hindman’s growing New York office. A Cornell University graduate, Smith comes to Hindman from Christie’s where she served as Vice President, Business Development Manager of Trusts, Estates and Appraisals.

Smith also brings substantial experience overseeing high-value appraisal projects for top clients and estates and developing relationships with high-net-worth private clients, institutions and museums. Smith spearheaded Christie’s partnership with Bennington College’s Art for Access fundraising initiative, beginning with the inaugural auction in 2018. The program provides a unique model for supporting scholarships by inviting gifts of artwork to be sold at auction to benefit students who would not otherwise be able to attend the college.

In addition to collaborating with Hindman’s 16 offices across the country, Smith will work with Tim Luke, National Managing Director of Appraisals and Valuations, and the rest of the Appraisals division. Since committing more resources in 2021, Hindman has seen a steady increase in its appraisals business, and in 2022 launched Hindman Appraisals as a dedicated entity that can leverage the Hindman network of expertise to give independent and impartial appraisals. On average, Hindman appraises $500 million in assets and handles more than 200 annual appraisals yearly.

“I am proud to join Hindman at such a significant time of growth and following the most successful year for the company in 2022,” commented Smith. “I am truly delighted to provide new appraisal and consignment solutions to the New York market and am eager to demonstrate Hindman’s dedication to offering unique collections across a range of estimates.”

“We are excited to announce Caroline’s appointment. Her business development acumen serves to strengthen Hindman’s burgeoning presence in the Northeast,” shared Gemma Sudlow. “As we open doors for the first time this spring season in the historic arts district of Chelsea at High Line Nine, I look forward to partnering with Caroline to develop our clients, consignments, appraisals and engagement in the New York region and beyond.” 

A calendar of upcoming live and online auctions can be viewed here.