Christie's has hired the BBC's group general counsel and secretary Nicholas Eldred as its new legal chief following the departure of former GC Nick Deeming earlier this year.

Eldred is set to join the auction house in the coming months after a decade as legal head at the BBC, where he was responsible for legal, business and governance advice across all aspects of the broadcaster's affairs, in the UK and internationally.

According to the BBC website his total remuneration as at August 2010 stood at £227,551, including a salary of £219,751.

Prior to joining the BBC, Eldred spent time as director of legal and business affairs and company secretary at BT Cellnet and head of M&A at BT. He also worked at Simmons & Simmons.

At Christie's Eldred will oversee the art auctioneer's global legal affairs from the company's London office.

Christie's chief executive Steven Murphy said: "We are tremendously pleased that after a decade of exemplary work managing the legal affairs of the BBC Nicholas has chosen to join us at Christie's.

"His proven leadership abilities, keen legal and business insight and excellent judgment make him the ideal partner for our management team as we take our global growth strategy forward."

Deeming resigned in January this year to join offshore drilling company Transocean as senior vice president, GC and assistant corporate secretary, after four years as Christie's legal head.

Christie's has 53 offices across 32 countries worldwide.

• Click here for more on Deeming's departure to Transocean