Phillips reiterated its $51.9 million modern and contemporary evening sale, which reaffirmed the auction house’s strength, with Phillips announcing Robert Manley as chairman of modern and modern art and passion Heiden as chairman of private sales. Both are major experts in the field, and their promotions show that Phillips continues to focus on the modern and modern segments as a cornerstone of its business.
Phillips CEO Martin Wilson described the appointment as their expertise and long-term commitment. “Their deep understanding of the market, coupled with the trust relationship with global collectors, has had a significant impact on our clients and the wider arts and cultural community,” he said in a statement. “There is no doubt that they will continue to drive excellence with the professionalism, integrity and enthusiasm that defines Phillips.”
This leadership transition comes after Cheyenne Westphal and Jean-Paul Engelen, who resigned as co-heads of America and modern and modern art after eight years as global president and ten years later.
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“It is an extraordinary honor to play this new role at such a critical time at such a critical moment,” Manley told Observer after the announcement. “I look forward to the opportunity to build the outstanding momentum we have achieved, work with the outstanding team we have built at Phillips, deepen our relationship with collectors, artists and institutions around the world. Together, we will continue to advocate for bold ideas, expand our global reach and shape our forward-looking programs to reflect the dynamics and passions of our communities.”
After working in the industry for over 26 years, he joined Phillips in 2016 as Vice Chairman and Senior International Expert in 20th Century and Contemporary Art, quickly rising to co-director of modern and modern art worldwide. In this role, he offers major shipments for some of Phillips' most successful sales, including the collection of Francesco Pellizzi and the Pop Art Trove of Miles and Shirley Fiterman. He also lags behind several record-breaking results for artists including Yayoi Kusama and Robert Motherwell.
Miety Heiden joined the auction house around the same time and has been the driving force behind high-value goods and privately sold high-value goods. Under her leadership, Phillips' annual private sales increased by 46%.
“I’m honored to help shape Phillips’ private sales growth and work closely with collectors to bring extraordinary engineering to market,” Hayden said in a statement. “I’m proud of the achievements and excitement of our team as we continue to expand our connections with collectors around the world. The success of our well-curated exhibitions and the success of first-time home buyers emphasizes the power of thoughtful storytelling and strategic collaboration.”
It is worth noting that auction houses’ private sales channels are increasingly becoming a key portal for new customers. In 2024, 77% of Phillips’ private sales buyers were first-time buyers. As noted in the Art Basel & UBS Market Report, this is growing in importance with private sales, which records a 14% increase in private sales through auction houses. Christie's growth was a staggering 41%, while Sotheby's reported private sales accounted for 23% of its business, up from the top 15% last year.
