Led by lawyer Pierre Valentin, the Professional Advisors to the International Art Market (PAIAM) is in the process of publishing a report to be delivered directly to The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) next month.
The main concern for the trade, in the wake of the triggering of Article 50, is to prevent a return to customs border checks in Europe.
The PAIAM document, which has gathered the expert views of its members, covers this and other art market issues such as VAT and Artist’s Resale Right (ARR).
PAIAM member Tim Maxwell, partner at law firm Boodle Hatfield, has prepared a paper on potential amendments to the ARR. He told ATG the document is designed “to reiterate the importance of the art market to the UK economy and identify potential reforms to maximise its potential post Brexit”.
Alongside this report, trade association LAPADA is asking members to submit their Brexit concerns by April 14.
Mike Golding, of Cotswolds’ Huntington Antiques and LAPADA deputy chairman, will collate the comments. He said the exercise is to “accurately reflect the mood of the trade” at this crucial time. The document will then be submitted in May to LAPADA chairman Lord Chadlington who will take the document to government.
The British Antiques Dealers’ Association (BADA) has also canvassed its members and submitted a Brexit wish-list to the British Art Market Federation (BAMF) to lobby government.
There have been some concerns the trade is not speaking with one voice.
However, BAMF executive chairman Anthony Browne said he was in favour of a multi-layered approach as long as it is “co-ordinated and with the same message”.
“The more people at a senior level speaking to government the better. As long as we are all delivering the same message then it can only be helpful.
He added: “We have a lot of firepower with BADA president Victoria Borwick, BAMF president Lord Inglewood, and Lord Chadlington at LAPADA.”
BAMF is also issuing a new economic report in the summer with updated input from economist Clare McAndrew.
Browne, who is due to meet Treasury officials this week, said BAMF was also in direct discussions with the DCMS team dedicated to cross-departmental Brexit discussions.
