Meet the team
Simon Kidston
“With a family background like his, it’s hardly surprising that Simon Kidston has carved an international reputation for himself in classic cars. Simon, 40, started his career in 1988 as assistant auction manager at Coys in London, running the department three years later. In 1996 he left to co-found Brooks (now Bonhams) Europe in Geneva and for a decade was responsible for staging highly successful events such as the annual Les Grandes Marques à Monaco sale in Monte Carlo and creating the Ferrari auction at Gstaad, Switzerland, the Gentleman’s Sale in Geneva and the Pur Sang à Longchamp Sale in Paris. Simon is the nephew of 1920s aviation record breaker and Bentley Boy, Commander Glen Kidston. His father, Commander Home Kidston, was just as much of an enthusiast as his Le Mans-winning older brother, owning and occasionally racing a succession of magnificent cars in period including a blown Mercedes-Benz S-type Rennsport, Bugatti 57C, Type 37 and Type 51, 8C Le Mans Alfa Romeo, ex-Works Bentley and Gullwing Mercedes. One of his father’s last motoring acquisitions, a 1973 Porsche Carrera RS, is now in Simon’s possession and he describes it as “the last thing I would ever sell”. One day he would like to own a ‘vintage’ Bentley 4 ½ Litre, “. . . a car my wife approves of, too”, but in the meantime he enjoys historic events at the wheel of his Lamborghini Miura SV and Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. He has judged at the famed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for several years (which he also co-commentates) and is the official presenter of the Mille Miglia, the Villa d’Este Concours and the Milano San Remo historic rally. He has also hosted the World’s Finest Cars programme on US television. Multilingual Simon lives in Geneva with his family. His other passions include music, skiing, good food and as he admits with a wry smile “I’m a bit of a James Bond film buff, actually.” He hopes to pursue an interest in flying vintage aircraft, albeit more safely and sedately - than his celebrated uncle’s aviation exploits.”
Our thanks to Bentley Motors magazine, from which this text is reproduced.
Christa Sutter
Christa left her native Germany after her diploma in commerce to study French in Brittany before moving to Geneva where she began her marketing career, initially working for famed gun maker Smith & Wesson.
Later she moved to Tuscany to run the marquis Lodovico Antinori’s marketing department, traveling widely to open new distribution networks, promoting and selling his famous wines. After several years Christa returned to Geneva and joined a renowned international editor in graphic design books. Twelve months later the company relocated to Brighton in the UK, where she continued to run the international sales department.
Back in Geneva, she joined Simon Kidston at Bonhams Europe in 2002 as business manager and followed him in his new venture in 2006. Today Christa runs Kidston SA’s office with a particular emphasis on client liaison.
Cristiana Wicht
Italian by birth and Swiss by marriage, Cristiana joined Bonhams Europe in 2005 with responsability for the auction firm's European Accounting and followed her colleagues to Kidston SA in 2006.
Emanuele Collo
Born in Milan, Italy, Emanuele’s passion for classic cars was encouraged from a young age by his uncles, both keen historic racers. Emanuele soon found himself attending events in his home town and at the nearby Monza circuit, later supporting the family team in rallies further afield and eventually co-driving.
Concurrently pursuing a Business degree at Italy’s famous Bocconi University, Emanuele first contacted Simon Kidston to ask for advice on a career in the classic car world whilst the latter was still running Bonhams’ European operations. Simon’s advice was to first complete his degree, and after graduating in the summer of 2008 Emanuele moved from Milan to Geneva to join Kidston SA as a junior classic car specialist.
