Max Girardo

‘Quality over volume’ is the mantra of Max Girardo’s company, which he founded after 20 years at Bonhams and 10 at RM Sotheby’s, where he helped set up the European division.

‘It doesn’t matter what make it is, but it has to be a special car or a really good restoration,’ he says. ‘We’ve never prided ourselves on being the cheapest.’ Girardo is one of the industry’s best-connected figures, offering a unique experience for collectors old and new. Ferraris make up the bulk of his sales, but marques like Bugatti, Alfa Romeo and McLaren often pass through.

Most of all, he understands the importance of enjoyment. ‘It’s not just... where the market is going, but also what the client wants.’