Former Christie's Executive Stephen Brooks to Head Phillips

Phillips is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Brooks as the company’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2021. Edward Dolman will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of Phillips’ Group of Companies, working alongside Mr. Brooks and Phillips’ Global Chairwoman, Cheyenne Westphal. Brooks will be based in London.

Brooks is a senior art world executive and was a key member of Christie’s Board and executive management team for over eleven years. Originally recruited to Christie’s Board as Chief Financial Officer in 2009, Stephen was promoted to Chief Operating officer in 2012 and then to Deputy Chief Executive and second in command of the global group in 2015, a position he held for five years.

At Christie’s he was responsible for all corporate functions including finance, technology, legal, marketing, human resources, client strategy and global operations, successfully transforming and modernizing their capability during his tenure. As the author of Christie’s strategic plans, he was central to the development of the company’s digital capability, online ecommerce business, real estate business and its geographic expansion into mainland China. As the financial leader of the group, he personally led the critical financial negotiations that secured the Rockefeller Collection, the largest collection ever sold at auction in 2018, and was also instrumental in securing several other key collections.

"I am truly delighted to be joining Phillips as Chief Executive Officer,” comments Stephen Brooks on his appointment. “I have admired the rapid and impressive development of the company over recent years and seen the exceptional results that have been delivered by an outstanding, innovative, and talented team. I am honoured and excited to be joining them and look forward to helping Phillips realise the very significant growth potential of the firm in the coming years.”

Before joining the art world, Brooks had a successful career in financial services. A PWC trained Chartered accountant he spent 8 years in the accounting profession, followed by 11 years in banking, most notably at the investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein as Chief Operating Officer in the United States and then as Global Chief Financial Officer of the investment banking group. Immediately prior to joining Christie’s he was global Chief Financial Officer of Schroders, the FTSE 100 listed Asset management group.

Edward Dolman

Says, Edward Dolman on the appointment, “Stephen Brooks is a great innovator and leader. I had the good fortune of hiring and working with Stephen when he joined Christie’s and saw firsthand his unique talents in all his roles and ultimately, as Deputy Chief Executive.  His appointment is an opportunity for Phillips to further strengthen its global position and continue the successful course of innovation and growth we began 7 years ago. He is a person of enormous vision and integrity and as CEO, he is the person to take Phillips into the next exciting chapter. We welcome him enthusiastically to Phillips.”

Cheyenne Westphal, Phillips Global Chairwoman, commented, “Ed and I are delighted to welcome Stephen to Phillips, and I am personally looking forward to working closely with him. He brings such a wealth of strategic and operational experience to the position, further strengthening and reinforcing our leadership team. Stephen is known for his successful record of innovation in the business and this aligns with Phillips’ own ethos and spirit. Together I am certain we will make a great team.”

Pivoting from his role as CEO, Edward Dolman, as the newly appointed Executive Chairman of Phillips’ Group of Companies, will continue to work in developing company business strategy and support business-getting efforts across the organization.

With nearly four decades of experience in the art world, Mr. Dolman, who joined Phillips in 2014, spearheaded a period of extraordinary growth and unprecedented expansion for the company.  This included the recruitment of team of globally respected senior experts, the growth of a worldwide network of regional offices and representatives in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. He was responsible for the opening of the new headquarters in London’s Berkeley Square, and soon to be unveiled New York headquarters at 432 Park Avenue. He was also responsible for the development of the business into Asia, with the opening of a sales room in Hong Kong which established Phillips as a major competitor in the region, and forging a ground-breaking collaboration with Poly Auction jointly conducting sales of 20th Century & Contemporary Art.

Dolman oversaw the formation of the 20th century art department, combining modern, post war and contemporary art in sales aligned to the taste of a new community of global collectors, a ground-breaking initiative which was eventually adopted industry wide.  He also spearheaded the launch of a market-leading watch department, the creation of a Private Sales team, an online-only sales team, and began an unprecedented period of modernization for the company through his digital-first approach.

Prior to joining Phillips, Mr. Dolman served as Director of the office of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Museums Authority. In 2012 Mr. Dolman was also appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Museums.

Dolman spent 27 years at Christies prior to his work with Qatar Museums. His last position was Chairman of the Board of Christie’s International, Chief Executive Officer, a position he held for 11 years. Before he was CEO, he served as Managing Director of Christie’s Europe, Managing Director of Christie’s Americas, and Managing Director of Christie’s Amsterdam.