Former Dreweatts chief launches Forum Auctions

One of the biggest players in the UK fine art and antiques industry has unveiled a new international business that aims to break down ‘artificial’ barriers to benefit clients as they bring their property to market.

Stephan Ludwig of Forum AuctionsStephan Ludwig, former CEO of both The Fine Art Auction Group Ltd and, latterly, the antiques and fine art division of the Stanley Gibbons group, has launched Forum Auctions.

It will operate out of London, Rome, Milan and New York in partnership with Philobiblon, the Contemporary art, books and works on paper specialists, bringing aboard some of the most respected specialists on the international scene.

Whilst initially focused on books, manuscripts, prints and photographs, Forum is planning to expand into a number of other ‘online friendly’ auction specialisations such as wine, watches, jewellery and numismatics.

The business’s books and manuscript’s department includes Rupert Powell, formerly deputy chairman at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury, who joins Forum in July 2016 as deputy chairman and international head of the books and manuscripts department, which already comprises a strong team of specialists including Dido Arthur, Justin Philips and Max Hasler. Alexander Hayter, the highly respected picture and print specialist, also joins from Dreweatts & Bloomsbury, as International Head of Contemporary Art. Further appointments are expected in the coming weeks.

Ludwig is positioning the firm as an agency, operating a flexible trading platform that has the capacity to opt seemlessly for the best route to market for each individual client, whether that is via live auction, private treaty sale or other.

 

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