Bonhams Expands Spirits Operations in Scotland, Appoints Patricia Byott as Head of Spirits
Bonhams is reinforcing its spirits auctions in Scotland, appointing Patricia Byott as Head of Spirits, Scotland. Byott, who brings over a decade of experience in senior spirits and private client roles, most recently served as Head of Private Clients for The Macallan brand at Edrington in Hong Kong. She will be based at Bonhams' Edinburgh saleroom. The auction house has also appointed Jamie Connor as a Whisky Specialist in Edinburgh; Connor previously worked at The Whisky Exchange. These appointments follow Bonhams securing a full Scottish licence to operate independently and a dedicated warehouse space in Glasgow, consolidating its European spirits sales in Scotland. Bonhams is the only global auction house holding spirits sales in Edinburgh.
The Signal
The strategic move underscores Bonhams' commitment to the growing collectable spirits market, particularly rare Scotch whisky. By anchoring operations in Scotland, the auction house is positioning itself to better serve global clients from the heart of whisky country. The appointments of Byott and Connor, along with new partnerships in development, signal a focused investment in expertise and infrastructure. For collectors, this consolidation may enhance access to specialized valuations, auctions, and logistics, potentially strengthening Bonhams' competitive edge in the high-end whisky auction sector.
- People: Patricia Byott, Jamie Connor, May Matthews, Amayès Aouli
- Auction Houses: Bonhams
- Locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Scotland
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