Left to right: Adrian Biddell, Janet Rady and Maryam Daoudi have joined Olympia Auctions.
The appointments came as the firm announced it will double its number of picture auctions, adding two mid-season sales in the spring and autumn, as well as two more fine art sales in the summer and winter.
It is also launching sales of Modern and Contemporary African and Middle Eastern art with two events per year taking place in the spring and autumn.
Adrian Biddell, who previously ran the paintings and fine art department at Chiswick Auctions from 2019-21, is joining to lead Olympia Auctions’ British and continental paintings and works on paper department.
He succeeds Harry Moore-Gwyn, who is stepping back to become a consultant but will continue to play a significant role at Olympia, especially in the field of Modern British pictures among other areas. He joined the firm in 2014, combining his role at the Blythe Road saleroom with running his British art dealership.
Biddell previously worked for Sotheby’s for 27 years, first in the Impressionist department and then heading the 19th century European paintings department for 16 years.
He later joined London gallery Waterhouse & Dodd for two years before setting up as an independent dealer in 2017. He continues to run Adrian Biddell Fine Art alongside his work as an auctioneer.
Maryam Daoudi joins as an assistant and junior cataloguer. She previously undertook an internship at Olympia and subsequently worked at Chiswick Auctions.
Janet Rady, who has worked at auction houses and commercial galleries for over 35 years, will run the Modern and Contemporary African and Middle Eastern art auctions. She most recently headed the equivalent department at Chiswick Auctions from 2020 onwards. Olympia’s first sale in this category will be held on May 11.
Thomas Del Mar, who founded the firm in 2007 when it was known as 25 Blythe Road, said: “Adrian’s great experience will be invaluable in taking the department to the next level which has been so successfully developed by Harry Moore-Gwyn. I am also excited to be expanding into the area of African and Middle Eastern Art.”
