PARIS.- Phillips announced the appointment of Laurence Calmels as a Regional Director for France, based in Paris.

As a key member of Phillips’ Business Development team, Ms. Calmels will work with Phillips art specialists and business-getters across all departmental categories to support the auction house’s business development efforts by cultivating networks of collectors, art dealers and devotees. She will work especially closely with Maria Cifuentes Caruncho, our Specialist in Paris, to increase Phillips’ presence in France. Phillips is in the midst of a major international expansion: Along with establishing its Hong Kong office, the company added regional directors or specialists in Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, Seattle, Mexico City, Cologne, Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei in the past year.

“Paris has always been one of the world’s most important cultural capitals and will become an increasingly important market for Phillips,” said Edward Dolman, Chief Executive Officer. “She will partner with Phillips’s senior executives in Asia, Europe and the United States to further develop our global client relationships, focusing on delivering best-in-class services and engagement opportunities to today’s collectors. With her significant experience and passion for engaging with clients and colleagues, and her intimate knowledge of the art world in France, Laurence is a welcome addition to our team as we look to grow our market share in this important market.”

Ms. Calmels joins Phillips after spending the last several years as an independent art advisor, helping collectors navigate the art world. Prior to becoming an art advisor, she was a partner of the Paris-based auction house Calmels-Cohen. At one time the youngest female auctioneer in France, Ms. Calmels holds the esteemed French title of Commissaire-Priseur. During her time at Calmels-Cohen, she led the extraordinarily successful sales of the André Breton and Jean Arp collections.

"I am delighted to join Phillips as the Director for France,” Ms. Calmels said. “Phillips is building a strong reputation as an exciting and forward-looking auction house and there is great momentum at the company. I look forward to helping the company expand its reach and working with its very talented group of specialists.”