We are pleased to share some career insights from Alessandro Borruso, Director of Business Development at Plowden & Smith, the largest fine art conservation and restoration company in the UK. A former geologist, he has held senior roles at Bentley and Skinner as Manager, and at Sotheby’s as Deputy Director. His career spans science, jewellery, luxury, and the international art market, with a focus on strategic growth, high-value assets, and heritage-driven businesses.
Your career spans heritage jewellers, Sotheby’s, education, and now business development at Plowden & Smith. How has your expertise and training in luxury, particularly around client relationships, craftsmanship, and trust, shaped the way you approach strategic growth and leadership today?
Working across different areas of the luxury ecosystem has convinced me that sustainable growth in luxury is built on trust, expertise, and long-term relationships. In jewellery, clients are often entrusting you with pieces that carry deep emotional and financial significance. They may acquire a piece to mark a milestone, or they decide to dispose of some family jewellery. Those are sensitive moments where empathy, honesty and discretion play a big role in building relationships.
When it comes to artworks, the dynamics and trust are very similar. A client who entrusts us with a family portrait, whether it bears an important signature or was created by an unknown artist, for us deserves the same level of attention and commitment. Our client service team, all with an auction house background, has the understanding and the skills to convey this message with clarity and confidence.
Education plays a big role, and it is the best way to reinforce your relationship with your existing clients as well as engage with new ones. In fact, we offer regular tours of Plowden & Smith called “Coffee & conservation”. The events offer a unique opportunity to visit all our studios—paintings, works on paper, decorative objects, metal, furniture, glass, and ceramics—all under one roof. It is a chance to gain insight into the science and art of conservation and restoration.
Craftsmanship has influenced my understanding of the Luxury world. At Plowden & Smith, the technical and artistic mastery of our conservators is the foundation of the business. My role in strategic growth is to protect it and make sure our clients fully understand its value. Leadership, for me, means creating an environment where conservators can do their best work for the client while remaining aligned with their ethics.
Having worked across auction houses, heritage jewellers, and now a specialist services business, how has your understanding of luxury evolved?
In the past luxury was often framed around rarity, brand, and value. While those elements remain crucial, I now see luxury as increasingly defined by experience, expertise, relationship and problem-solving. In our industry, luxury is not always immediately recognisable. It lies in precision, ethical responsibility, great communication with clients and the ability to safeguard cultural heritage.
You’ve built a career that combines technical expertise, client-facing leadership, and education. What advice would you give students hoping to develop both commercial acumen and subject-matter authority in the luxury sector today?
First, remember that careers are rarely linear. Sometimes you are where you are because of the people you met along the way and the conversations you had.
Be open to starting in roles that offer hands-on experience and direct exposure to clients. Developing strong soft skills today will give you an extra gear in the future. Being adaptable. While it is fortunate to begin your career doing something you are passionate about, passion alone doesn’t always mean you will be immediately good at it. Starting with what you are good at, within a field that interests you, often leads you to discover your true passions during the journey. Trust the process.
The top professionals in luxury are those who can bridge both worlds: specialists with soft skills who are also commercially minded. Knowledge builds credibility and provides tangible proof of your commitment. Work hard, and good luck… it is always a plus!
