Christie's CEO Murphy stepping down; Chairman Barbizet taking on additional role of CEO

Auction house Christie's said Tuesday that CEO Steven P. Murphy will be stepping down at year's end.

Chairman Patricia Barbizet will take on the additional role of CEO.

Last month rival Sotheby's announced that CEO William Ruprecht will step down from his post. Ruprecht is staying on as CEO, chairman and president until a successor is found.

Privately held Christie's Inc. has 53 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zurich, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Mumbai.