Phillips Names New Jewelry Chief

RAPAPORT... Phillips has appointed Graeme Thompson worldwide head ofjewelry, as it works to expand the recently created department internationally. Thompson, who will be based at the company's Hong Kongoffice, has been tasked with creating a strategy for the auction house's internationalbusiness. He will be responsible for developing a global team in New York,London, Hong Kong and Geneva. He will also collaborate with new and existingclients on consignment opportunities and creating cross-marketing opportunitieswithin the company. "Graeme will offer the department strategic direction and a point ofview to create an innovative and contemporary jewelry offering that will appealto the growing collectors of art, watches and design," Phillips CEO Edward Dolman said Tuesday. "There is tremendous opportunityto build a highly competitive jewelry business with a modern sensibility intoday's auction market, and I believe Graeme has the expertise and creativityto help us reach the next level of development in our jewelry sales." Thompson was previously at Bonhams, where he was director of jewelry for Asia. During his time there, the department consistently achieved some ofthe highest hammer totals per auction for the entire company, Phillips noted. Thompson will work with another former Bonhams jewelrydirector, Susan Abeles, who joined Phillips last year as head of jewelry forthe Americas, and Terry Chu, head of jewelry for Asia. Image: Graeme Thompson. (Phillips)