Simon Kidston

Kidston was born in September 1967,[3] the son of Commander Home Kidston, a retired naval officer who owned and raced cars.[4] His uncle was Glen Kidston, the record-breaking aviator and motor racing driver.[4] His cousin is the fashion designer and businesswoman Cath Kidston.

Kidston grew up near Siena, Italy and was educated in Switzerland, including Aiglon College from 1981 to 1985.[5][6]

Kidston started his career in 1988 in the car auction department at Coys of Kensington.[7]

In 1996, he left to co-found Brooks Europe auction house in Geneva. He created high-profile events such as the annual Ferrari auction in Gstaad[8] and the Pur Sang à Longchamp auction in Paris.[9] From 1996–2006 he was President of Brooks Europe, which later became Bonhams Europe.[10]

In 2006, Kidston left Bonhams to start Kidston SA in Geneva, an independent advisory firm for motor car collectors.[10] In 2018, Kidston opened a new office in Dubai: Kidston DMCC.[11]

Kidston is a magazine contributor, writing columns for 'Classic Cars' and 'Sports Car Market'. He is also a guest contributor at Vanity Fair, Top Gear and Dubai Lifestyle Magazine.[12]

Kidston is head judge of the Cartier Travel With Style Concours in India[13] and an advisor to BMW Classic, the organisers of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, set up in 1929.[14] Between 2007–2014, he was commentator for the Mille Miglia historic rally.[15][16]

Kidston is an avid car collector, with his collection including a 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Cabriolet originally built for his father.[17] Kidston buys back vehicles his family previously owned, including a Gipsy Moth racing biplane his father flew in New Zealand 75 years prior.[18]

In 2009, Kidston was invited by the Mercedes-Benz Museum to drive the 300 SLR 'Uhlenhaut' coupe.[19][20]

He splits his time between Dubai, London and Geneva, and is fluent in Italian and French.[11]

• Official website