Baddeley will continue to act as a consultant to the firm and Matthew Haley, promoted to managing director of the Knightsbridge saleroom, succeeds him.
Haley said: “Under Jon Baddeley’s leadership the saleroom has gone from strength to strength, and he leaves us in great shape. Jon will be a very hard act to follow but I am relishing the challenge.”
Baddeley will continue as a consultant at Bonhams in the fields of science, technology and nautical works of art and will continue to be a specialist on the BBC Antiques Roadshow, a role he has performed for over 30 years.
Baddeley said he will now have more time to pursue his hobbies.
He added: “My stepping down from full-time management will allow me more time to pursue my other passions which include all aspects of cooking and procuring the ingredients for such, long-haul travel to search for unusual birds and animals in relatively inaccessible locations and sub aqua reef scuba diving (warm water only!).”