Martin Wilson
Spear’s Review
When Martin Wilson was appointed to the top job at Phillips in December 2024, it wasn’t an easy time for the company or the art world. The auction house saw a decline in sales in 2024 – part of a wider trend; global art market sales experienced their second-largest drop in 15 years that year – and faced controversy over its owners’ ties to Russia.
However, the London and New York-based auction house, which is known for being a leader in watches and contemporary art, is confident that, with the seasoned art lawyer at its helm, it can withstand the downturn. According to the company, Wilson is ‘modernising collecting experiences with imagination, expertise and relevancy’.
In the first few months of his tenure, Wilson restructured the traditional bidding process by introducing a reduced rate for clients who submit an offer in advance of the auction taking place. This means buyers are able to benefit from lower prices, while sellers gain a little more clarity on the demand for the piece.
Wilson is also adding natural wonders to the auction house’s traditional categories of art, jewels, photography and watches. In November 2025, Phillips New York was set to oversee the sale of the first full juvenile triceratops ever discovered, estimated to fetch around $3.5 million.
Rank: Top 100
Top 100 2025, Power List