Smart Money – Strauss & Co executive director Susie Goodman

In this Smart Money with Alishia Seckam interview, Strauss & Co executive director Susie Goodman discusses South Africa’s fine art industry and the most expensive artwork ever sold in Africa.

Goodman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Cape Town, which she obtained in 1992.

She furthered her studies at Christie’s Fine Art Auctioneers Education department, with a Postgraduate Diploma in Fine and Decorative Art from the Renaissance to the modern period.

Goodman remained at Christie’s, ultimately becoming an associate director and London’s Head of Client Advisory.

While at Christie’s, Goodman played a critical role in developing the institute’s Global Buyers’ Programme.

She was also involved in several important sales of single-owner collections, including the Rothschild Collection, the collection of Lord Cholmondeley of Houghton Hall, and Princess Salimah Aga Khan’s jewellery collection.

Goodman then returned to South Africa and ultimately joined Strauss & Co in 2011 as a client advisor.

She took on the role of general manager in 2016 and was appointed executive director in 2018.

As executive director, Goodman is a key executive management team member, responsible for ensuring the efficient running of specialist departments, people, operations, technology, and finance.

She has also been involved in the sales of prominent collections at Strauss & Co, including the disposal of the Hardebeck Collection and the R20.46 million sale of JH Pierneef’s Farm Jonkershoek with Twin Peaks Beyond, Stellenbosch.

Smart Money interview

In this interview, Goodman talks about how she got into the fine art industry and unpacks the growth of Strauss & Co.

She discusses the rise of South African fine art prices in recent years and how they compare to the global fine art market.

Goodman then talks about Strauss & Co’s new record for the most expensive artwork ever sold in Africa, and what makes this piece special.

She also explains what’s next for Strauss & Co, including expanding beyond the fine art industry into other collectable markets such as wine, brandy, and jewellery.

Finally, Goodman unpacks her journey to joining the fine art industry and how she got to her current position.

Watch the full Smart Money interview with Susie Goodman, below.