Frieze announced today that it has named Frank Lasry as its new chief operating officer, beginning in June. Lasry will report directly to Frieze CEO Simon Fox.
With more than two decades of managing blue-chip art world companies, Lasry will bring to Frieze a mix of auction house, art fair, and gallery experience. He was most recently the chief operating officer of Perrotin, managing the logistics and operations across the gallery’s nine locations across the world. Prior to Perrotin, he worked at Art Basel from 2018 to 2023, rising to the role of managing director. During his tenure, he helped launch Art Basel Paris, which hosted its first edition in 2022.
Lasry cut his art-world teeth in the auction role, holding senior positions at various Christie’s offices before becoming the house’s COO in London. He then went on to serve in the same role for rival Phillips, running its Europe and Asia operations.
“Frieze is a unique brand with a mission to expand the reach and understanding of contemporary art, and I could not be prouder to be associated with it,” Lasry said in a statement.
Fox, the Frieze CEO, said in a statement, “I am delighted to welcome Frank to the Frieze team. His extensive operational experience in the art world will be invaluable to us as we continue to expand globally and strengthen our offering for galleries, collectors and partners.”
Lasry’s hiring is one of the first major ones since Frieze’s ownership changed from the private equity firm Silver Lake Management to the newly formed Mari, founded by entertainment mogul Ari Emanuel. That sale was officially finalized last fall.
Since that deal closed, Frieze has announced that it would take over the Abu Dhabi Art fair and rebrand it as Frieze Abu Dhabi. It’s expansion into the Gulf region follows that of Art Basel, which launched a Qatar fair in early February.
Art Basel Qatar’s opening occurred just before the US and Israel began an airstrike campaign against Iran, which has impacted the entire region, including the postponement of Art Dubai from April to May in an “adapted format.”
Since its planned inaugural edition for the Abu Dhabi fair isn’t until November, Frieze hasn’t made any announcements about how the ongoing war might impact Frieze Abu Dhabi, especially as the timeframe for the conflict seems to change daily.
