Steven Murphy

Steven Murphy (born March 1954) is an American business executive and prominent figure in the international art market. Previously CEO of Christie's, and before that, publishing firm Rodale in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, Murphy is currently Managing Partner at London-based Murphy & Partners.

Early life Steven Pleshette Murphy was born in March 1954. He graduated from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., with a bachelor's in English literature. His tenure at EMI ended in 1998 with his appointment to Disney Publishing Worldwide as managing director.

He joined the privately held publishing firm Rodale, Inc. in 2000 as COO and president, and subsequently became the first non-family member to be appointed CEO, in 2002. Credited with the turnaround of Rodale's fortunes, notable events during his time there included the publishing of its first big success, The South Beach Diet, Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, and the growth of magazine title Men’s Health. According to the company, it experienced its most profitable period under his decade long tenure. He was hired to bring the auction house online and expand its sales in the Far East and other new markets. He spent $50 million on expanding the company's internet presence and infrastructure, including the hiring of experts.

Murphy was on the board of directors of Ralph Lauren from 2005 to 2010, stepping down to act as a strategic consultant to the management.

Murphy was appointed to the board of trustees for the Victoria and Albert Museum for a period of four years from 1 January 2017.

Personal life Murphy is married to the parenting counselor and author, Ann Pleshette Murphy.