Edward Dolman

Edward Dolman was appointed Executive Chairman in September 2021. Mr. Dolman joined Phillips as Chief Executive Officer in 2014, with over three decades of experience in the art world. In his seven years as Chief Executive Officer, he guided the company through a period of impressive expansion. This includes the recruitment of numerous globally-respected senior experts, the growth of a worldwide network of regional offices and representatives in the Americas, Europe and Asia and the opening of the new headquarters in London’s Berkeley Square. He was also responsible for the expansion 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.

Mr. Dolman also oversaw the formation of the 20th century art department, combining modern, post war, contemporary, and Latin American art in sales aligned to the taste of a new community of global collectors; the launch of a market-leading watch department; and the creation of a Private Sales team. He was responsible for an unprecedented period of innovation for the company through his digital-first approach.

During his tenure, overall sales at the company more than doubled and in 2021, he was appointed Executive Chairman of Phillips’ Group of Companies. In this role, Mr. Dolman continues to work in developing company business strategy and support business-getting efforts across the organization.

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. While in these roles Mr. Dolman developed a wide-ranging ten-year strategic plan for the development of arts and culture in the State of Qatar and focused on the development of a cultural diplomacy program which included the highly successful 2013 Qatar/UK Year of Culture.

Prior to working with Qatar Museums, Mr. Dolman served as Chairman of the Board of Christie’s International, focusing on global business development and client relationships, while also helping guide Christie’s to record revenue. He had previously served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, a position he held for 11 years, leading the business through an unprecedented era of growth driven by the shift to modernism and a rapidly expanding global client base. During this time he also oversaw some of the most important auctions of recent times, including the Gaffe Collection on behalf of UNICEF in 2001, the sale of five works by Gustav Klimt restituted to Maria Altman and her family by the Austrian State in 2006, and the groundbreaking Yves Saint Laurent sale in 2009. Mr. Dolman directed Christie’s new business development and strategy, enhanced global operations, and shaped and implemented many innovative initiatives including the rapid expansion in China and the Middle East, and the introduction of live on-line bidding. Mr. Dolman’s 27-year career at Christie’s included earlier roles as Managing Director of Christie’s Europe, Managing Director of Christie’s Americas, and Managing Director of Christie’s Amsterdam.

Mr. Dolman was educated at Dulwich College and Southampton University. He continued his studies in the connoisseurship, appreciation and history of the decorative arts at the Study Centre for Fine and Decorative Arts in London.

Mr. Dolman has been awarded the Légion d’Honneur as Chevalier in May 2007, and in 2011 was elevated to the distinguished position of Officier de la Légion d’Honneur by French President Sarkozy. He has also served as a board member of a number of organizations including the International Advisory Board of Qatar Museums, the Governing Board of the Courtauld Institute, the Seoul International Business Advisory Council, and Sailors for the Sea, an environmental charity.