Cheyenne Westphal, who resigned as Sotheby’s world-wide head of contemporary art in March, confirmed Thursday she is joining Phillips to be its new chairman based in London. Ed Dolman, chief executive and chairman of Phillips, will cede the latter title when she starts next spring, reported Kelly Crow of the Wall Street Journal.

Simon de Pury, a lifelong auctioneer who sold Phillips to Mercury, called Ms. Westphal’s hire “a coup,” adding, “Getting Cheyenne on board is a huge step for Phillips. There are really only a few major players in this industry, and she’s one of them.”