What are your main responsibilities in your current role?
As VP of Customers at Arcarta, I oversee our entire client-facing function, spanning new business, onboarding, and long-term account growth, with a focus on helping galleries, advisors, and auction houses navigate AML and KYC regulation in a way that’s practical, compliant, and commercially effective.
I work closely with our two co-founders to shape company strategy, ensuring that our product roadmap, sales initiatives, and market positioning reflect the real-world challenges our clients face.
I also act as a key representative of the business within the market, contributing to panels, industry conversations, and partnerships that help position Arcarta at the forefront in the art market.
What has been your professional journey to where you are today, and what were the biggest challenges you faced?
My background spans galleries, art-tech, and commercial sales, which has been key in shaping how I work today. I spent over five years at Artlogic, where I led client relationships with some of the world’s leading galleries and built a strong understanding of how art businesses operate day to day. That experience gave me a solid foundation, not just in understanding the needs of galleries, but also in how to implement change across teams that are often small, time-poor, and deeply relationship-led.
One of the biggest personal challenges was starting out in the UK art market without any prior connections. I’m originally from Australia, so building a network from the ground up in an industry that can be quite closed off was never going to be easy. But it pushed me to be bold, to put myself out there, and to really earn my place. Looking back, I’m so glad I did because it’s shaped not only my career but also how I show up in the work I do today.
At Arcarta, I’ve been able to build on that by focusing on regulatory change, helping our clients not only understand AML and KYC regulations but also apply them in a way that doesn’t interrupt the flow of sales or the operational backbones of their business.
In stepping into a senior leadership role, I’ve also had to grow quickly, learning how to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day execution, how to lead cross-functional teams, and how to advocate for our clients internally while championing our voice externally. It’s been a steep curve, but one that’s made me more confident in my ability to shape not just how we sell, but how we show up in the market.
How do you stay inspired and up to date in a constantly evolving field? What platforms do you use to stay informed?
What keeps me inspired is how much the market continues to shift, both structurally and culturally. Recently, we’re seeing major galleries close or downsize, which on the surface might seem like a contraction at the top, but I feel that it is not something to be fearful of necessarily. This change creates space for a new generation of gallerists and dealers to step forward in less obvious, more agile ways. That energy, and the ideas and ambition that come with it, is incredibly motivating.
I also collect artwork myself, and I’m always on the lookout for emerging artists. It keeps me connected not just to the business of art, but to the reasons people fall in love with it in the first place. It helps me stay curious and gives me a real sense of what galleries and collectors are navigating on the ground.
In terms of staying informed and what platforms I use, I spend a lot of time (maybe too much…) on LinkedIn, mainly because I like hearing and reading what people in the art market are saying (good or bad!). It’s not just for surface-level updates on promotions or company changes, but for spotting underlying shifts in how people are thinking and responding to change. I obviously follow regulatory updates closely, but more than anything, I try to stay close to the conversations happening between our clients, collectors, and peers, because that’s where the real signals tend to show up first.
What skills or qualities do you consider fundamental to your success in the cultural sector?
Without a doubt, people skills. I’ve definitely been called a “personality hire” before, and while I used to wonder if that was a compliment or not, I’ve come to realise it’s one of my greatest strengths!
Building trust, reading the room, navigating difficult conversations, and making people feel at ease, those are the things that have helped me open doors and move things forward.
That said, being personable only gets you so far. I’ve always paired that with a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a drive to prove myself, especially in spaces where I’ve been underestimated. There’s a real satisfaction in showing that you’re not just good with people, but that you can also execute, lead, and deliver meaningful results.
I’ve also been incredibly lucky to have built a strong professional network and had brilliant mentors throughout my career – people who’ve challenged me, backed me, and helped me grow. Their influence has been invaluable and shaped where I am today. I try to pay that forward whenever I can.
What advice would you give to someone starting their career in the cultural world?
Be curious and kind, and don’t underestimate the power of showing up consistently. You most certainly do not need to know everything straight away, but if you’re willing to ask questions, put yourself forward, and treat people well, you will go far.
One thing I’ve learned is the value of paying attention to how the people around you work, not just what they do, but how they think, make decisions, and communicate. I’ve always found that meeting someone in their style or energy, whether that’s fast-paced and direct or more reflective and considered, can really help build trust and momentum. It’s not about being inauthentic; it’s about being emotionally aware and adaptable.
And finally, always invest in relationships. The right mentors, peers, and colleagues can shape your path in ways you might not expect. When you find people who challenge and champion you, hold onto them, and when you’re in a position to, do the same for someone else.
Also, don’t ever be too quick to accept a “no”, because in my experience, it often just means “not right now.”