NEW YORK, NY.- Phillips announced the appointment of Katherine Kerr as Director of its Top Client Program and Valuations Manager for 20th Century & Contemporary Art, adding considerable expertise and depth to the company’s relationships with leading collectors around the world.

Ms. Kerr joins Phillips from Ruth Catone, a private consultancy for collectors of modern and contemporary art, where she was responsible for business development. Previously, she worked for Sotheby’s from 2004 to 2016, most recently as an Assistant Vice President for Business Development for Contemporary Art, working directly with global department heads and senior specialists on business development and client relationship strategy.

In her new role with Phillips, Ms. Kerr will work very closely with Phillips’ newly created Chairman’s Office, established by Global Chairman Cheyenne Westphal, to develop and manage the companywide top client program internationally. They will strive to increase the overall number of top clients known to and transacting with Phillips and augment long-term business and client development strategies to increase client participation in Phillips’ auctions.

This role will also serve as Valuations Manager on behalf of the global 20th Century & Contemporary Art department, reporting to the Worldwide Co-Heads of 20th Century & Contemporary Art, and working closely with the regional Heads of Business Development and the Directors of Trusts, Estates & Valuations in New York and London. This role will have additional involvement with the production of sale proposals on behalf of the 20th Century & Contemporary Art team, serving as a critical liaison with the Proposals and Creative teams in partnership with the specialist departments and executive team.

“We are delighted to have Katherine join our team as we’re building extraordinary momentum globally,” said Cheyenne Westphal, Chairman of Phillips. “She will be an essential member of the firm’s leadership team and help build on Phillips’ strategy of engaging with collectors as we continue to expand our market share. Katherine will work closely with Phillips’ senior executives to further develop client relationships around the world, creating engagement opportunities for today’s collectors. With her significant experience and passion for engaging with collectors and colleagues, she will be at the forefront of initiatives in the coming years as we strive to serve collectors across multiple regions and collecting interests.”

Phillips is in the midst of significant international growth. In the past year, the company has advanced its business development efforts by adding Guy Vesey to expand client development in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and Vivian Pfeiffer as Head of Business Development in the Americas. In addition, Phillips has held its first two sales of 20th Century & Contemporary Art and Design in Hong Kong, and added regional directors or specialists in Cologne, Zurich, Milan, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei.