In late 2023, the Michael Reid congregation of galleries and creative platforms instituted an overarching, formal governing Board of Directors. This is a first for a commercial art gallery in Australia. The Board holds the Executive Team accountable for their commitments while introducing fresh analysis, providing new direction and identifying tangible business opportunities across the group. Working collaboratively and in formation, the Executive Team, comprised of Michael Reid, Toby Meagher, Daniel Soma, and Amber Creswell-Bell, will execute operational actions. The board consists of:

Andrew Grant

An engineer with an MBA from the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Grant worked for many years as a consultant with McKinsey & Company before founding Virgin Mobile. Over the last decade, Grant has worked internationally in senior positions in private health. Today, as CEO of Medteryx Digital Health, he is in the early research and development stage of AI-assisted diagnostic tools and digital therapeutics for mental health care. Grant is also a serious amateur photographer.

Kimberly Holden

Non-Executive Director Kimberly Holden is the Founder and CEO of Doctor V Pty Ltd. She previously served as the principal of Jord Bellows International Pty Ltd, a manufacturing operation specialising in bespoke products for the process industry throughout Australia and Asia. Their clientele included Shell, BHP, and Rio Tinto. Holden has also held positions as a former member of the Strategic Planning Unit at Cable & Wireless Worldwide in Singapore, an Executive Director at Singapore Telecom, and a manager at Swiss Bank Corporation (UBS) in Sydney. Additionally, she is an art collector of note.

Toby Meagher

Director, Michael Reid

Dr. Trevor Moody

Dr. Moody attended the MIT Sloan School of Management. Based in the United States, Dr. Moody has broad experience in growth-oriented markets. He was a General Partner at Frazier Healthcare Ventures, a leading healthcare venture capital and private equity investment firm. Dr. Moody is also a commercial, multi-engine pilot with an instrument rating and an advanced ground instructor certificate. He is active with Angel Flight West, where he is a Command Pilot and a member of the Board of Directors.

Michael Reid OAM

Chair and Director, Michael Reid

Daniel Soma

Non-Executive Director, Michael Reid

It is expected that the board will grow in numbers, and skills offered up, over the coming year.

Over the last decade, Dean Andersen, working at the highest levels within the art world has made it his personal and professional quest to showcase important Australian artists and artworks to his ever growing audience of collectors.

As Beyond program manager, Dean will be responsible for maintaining and developing the creative success of this new gallery arm. The programming will operate as a moveable offsite project space, hosting temporary exhibitions in artists’ studios, empty buildings, outdoor locations and regional exhibitions.

Alongside the Directors and working closely with artists, Dean will be involved in curating and managing an annual exhibition program of new artworks and selected works from the secondary market.

With a strong focus on client services and an extensive knowledge of contemporary Australian and New Zealand art, Dean brings a bespoke approach to the acquisition and placement of artworks in both private and institutional collections.
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Dean has a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Sydney College of the Arts and is a practising artist.

Fine art logistics expert Robert Carlino brings more than 18 years of experience to his role as Head of Group Operations and Logistics for the Michael Reid network of galleries. Robert provides exceptional registrar and logistical service for the business, exhibiting artists and rapidly expanding audience.

Robert has dedicated his entire professional life to serving the arts in Australia, previously holding esteemed positions in well-known commercial art galleries. From curating to corporate and private art consultation, event management and international negotiation, Robert brings a wealth of experience to the business and our customers.

Robert studied his Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) at the university of Western Sydney where he majored in painting. Abstract Expressionist and Surrealist works move him most.

As a highly creative family man, Robert enjoys cooking, especially in collaboration with his wife and daughter!

Jonathan graduated from Sydney College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art where he became fascinated with art, design and film. This led to a career working in the film industry in Australia and around the world.

Further study at Australian Film, Television & Radio School (AFTRS) was followed by working as a Cinematographer & Editor, as well as making music videos and documentaries.

After leaving the industry to run his own business, he has returned to image-making, working primarily as a stills photographer, though client requests means that he is still involved in video production. As well as photographing for Michael Reid, he also maintains a freelance practice focussed on Architectural photography.

Amber Creswell Bell is an art, design and lifestyle writer. A curator and speaker widely regarded for her dedicated support of Australian creative initiatives. Amber has an eye for talented emerging painters and has built a cult following with successful pop-up exhibitions across Sydney. Amber directs the Michael Reid emerging art program as well as curating our ‘CLAY’ platform, dedicated to showcasing Australian ceramics, based out of our Newport gallery. She is the co-founder of the National Emerging Art Prize.

Amber has written for many of Australia’s leading titles, and in 2016 she published her first book, Clay, a survey of Australian and international contemporary ceramics. 2018 saw the release of Amber‘s second book, A Painted Landscape, which surveys 50 Australian artists and their interpretations of the landscape. Her third book, a monograph on artist Ken Done was released in February 2021, as well as Still Life – a compilation of Australian still life painters. She has two more books in production.

Amber’s books are published by Thames & Hudson, and available globally.

Edward Humphrey is a practising artist with a passion for portraiture. Since graduating in 2019 with a Bachelor of Fine Art from the National Art School, he has developed a distinct painting style that draws on elements of abstraction and realism. Edward has been a finalist in several major art prizes, including the 2020 Archibald Prize, which featured his portrait of musician Stan Walker. In his role at Michael Reid Sydney, Edward assists with artwork installation, deliveries and events, helping the gallery teams ensure all operations run smoothly.

Will Kollmorgen is an emerging arts writer living and working on Guringai country. He joined Michael Reid Northern Beaches as a gallery assistant in 2021, shortly after attaining an honours degree in Arts History at Melbourne University. He installs, invigilates and contributes essay material in his role.

Since 2016, Thomas has gained extensive experience in the Sydney art world working for a variety of local galleries, involved with all aspects of operations. Most notably at S.H. Ervin Gallery where he continues to perform his role as an Exhibition Installer, as well as working with Manly Art Gallery as a Weekend Gallery Coordinator.

Thomas holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design from ACU. He maintains his own art practice, in oil painting, and has exhibited numerous times in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Christopher Mathews combines over thirty years of experience in financial markets, in Australia, Europe, and London, with a lifelong passion for collecting, viewing and studying art. For the past twenty years, his role has seen him as a trusted advisor and confidant to high net worth individuals and family offices in Sydney, rural Australia, Hong Kong, and London.

This level of trust, understanding of client needs, and ability to deliver positive outcomes translates to the acquiring and curating of collections for MRG clients, both individual and corporate. His ability to act as a bridge from financial asset classes to contemporary art is acknowledged and valued by clients.

Christopher’s clients and service range from those looking at initial purchases to highly experienced, long term collectors adding to established collections. His personal journey as a collector and client has enabled him to tailor the client experience to suit the requirements and wishes of collectors, large and small. This includes guiding corporate entities through upcoming exhibitions, gallery events and the hosting of client-focussed engagement within the gallery.

He is currently studying for a Bachelor of Art History.

Toby is deeply committed to Michael Reid Galleries and the long term development of the business, its artists and its collectors. Toby plays a key role in the direction and management of the business, working closely with Michael on strategy for the galleries individually, and as a group. With a particular interest in client service, Toby brings a straightforward and informed approach to acquisition advice and collection management.

In 2019 Toby became a Partner at Michael Reid Galleries. He has been with the business for eight years and has worked in every conceivable role from intern to installer; Berlin Director to van driver. He has developed an intimate understanding of the three physical galleries and the online spaces within the Michael Reid network.

Art Fairs are a particular passion for Toby and he has been a driving force behind the gallery’s presentation at Art Fairs since 2018. Toby believes that Art Fairs are the perfect opportunity to service our clients, highlight our artists and elevate the Michael Reid brand amongst its peers.
Beyond his work with Michael Reid, Toby has a particular interest in photography, post-colonial narratives and Indigenous voices in contemporary Australian art: from urban practices to remote communities. Toby also runs a small wine label with friends out of Mudgee, NSW, and is a keen fly fisherman.

In addition to her role as gallery manager at Michael Reid Northern Beaches, Sophie Nolan is a celebrated ceramicist whose striking, sensually formed pieces have featured in solo exhibitions at the gallery as part of our Michael Reid Clay program.

Using traditional hand-building techniques, Sophie crafts wonderfully nuanced, curvaceous vessels whose subtle imperfections convey a sense of individualism tied to their celebration of the human form.

Sophie honed her aesthetic sensibilities with studies in Visual Communications and many years working as a graphic designer before pursuing her passion for ceramics. Her background in graphic design has given her a keen eye for balance and detail, which continues to inform her art practice and enriches her work at the gallery.

As an artist who lives and works on the Northern Beaches, Sophie is deeply enmeshed in the area’s creative community while engaging with a broader network of interior stylists, designers, and fashion retailers who regularly feature her pieces in their spaces.

Sophie draws on this unique set of experiences, skills and creative passions in her role at Michael Reid Northern Beaches.

With nearly four decades in the art industry, Michael Reid is one of the leading art dealers in Australia. Michael’s cultural commentary sought across television, print and social media affirm his role as an ambassador for Australian art. Michael received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day 2016 for his services to the arts. Michael has a Bachelor of Arts degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Law degree from Sydney University and a Master’s in Arts Administration, Art Business from the University of New South Wales.

After a decade of arts industry experience with Christie’s in London and Australia, culminating with the opening of a major representative office for Christie’s in Brisbane in 1996, Michael went on to contribute weekly as Art Market Analyst to the business section of The Australian newspaper for a decade. During this time Michael taught on Art Business at the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales. Following his time at News Corporation, Michael wrote a weekly column for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers’ Good Weekend magazine for five years.

Michael’s books Guide to Australian Art Galleries (2005) and How to Buy & Sell Art (2008 & 2010) have been published by Allen & Unwin. He co-authored Australian Art: Who, when, what and how much? (2011) and Nathan Taylor: The Poetics of Excess (2012) with Emily Cloney.

Michael’s reputation as a respected cultural commentator goes beyond his work in the print media, and in 2008 and 2009 Michael co-hosted the Sky Business News Channel Art Industry Hour and anchored an arts spot of Drive Time ABC Radio. Recognising that interest in Australian art is not bound by geographic constraints, Michael, as Chairman & Director of the group, oversees three art galleries in Sydney, two art galleries in regional New South Wales, and an art gallery in Berlin, Germany. The Michael Reid congregation of art galleries additionally embraces the online platforms Michael Reid CLAY, Michael Reid Object and Michael Reid LAND. 

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away and for one brief shining moment, Michael was Recess Milk Monitor at Narrandera Primary School. In 1983 Michael appeared on the television show, Ford New Faces, hosted by Burt Newton & singing with the seven member Queens College, the University of Melbourne all male choir. The breathtakingly audacious and totally lacking in even a modicum of talent, piss-taking ensemble, lost in the final round to a harmonicist. 

Michael is a co-founding director of the major arts festival Art Month Sydney; founder of Berlin’s Ackerstrasse “Open Street”; a former Director and Deputy Chair of the Historic Houses Trust NSW that then became the Foundation for Sydney Living Museums. In 2021 Michael joined the St Paul’s College Foundation, within the University of Sydney. Michael is a member of the Law Society of New South Wales.

Michael was a co-judge of the 2016 Head On Photo Festival and sat on the judging panel of the Australian Financial Review’s True Leaders 2017 award. In 2018 Michael was asked to preside over Christie’s Education London, Art World Professional Advisory Panel. In 2019 Michael was named by Country Style magazine as one of Australia’s 30 most significant players in regional Australia over the last 30 years. In 2022 Michael Reid was ranked by News Corp Australia through their publication The List as one of the 100 most influential people in the Australian arts.

In this newly created role, Harry will work closely with the gallery directors, managers and artists across Michael Reid’s five sites to creatively manage digital communications. Supporting the artistic program of each distinct gallery, Harry will help to develop and produce original stories for Michael Reid’s online and social media channels, strengthening connections between artists, art lovers and collectors through engaging editorial features and a focus on strategic marketing. Harry brings an editorial background to the role, having worked at leading design publication Belle for 12 years, including several as the magazine’s deputy editor and writer of its regular Art section. He completed a Bachelor of Art Theory at the University of New South Wales.

Michael Sharp began his professional life as a lawyer before quickly realising he did not want to be a solicitor. He was fortunate enough to be offered a job with The Sydney Morning Herald where his rounds included NSW politics and business.

Michael then moved to the corporate world, spending a quarter of a century providing communication, investor relations and brand advice to a number of leading Australian companies.

His university degree included an honours degree in Arts (English Literature) and he wrote the authorised biography of Ralph Doubell, the Australian athlete who won a gold medal in the 800 metres at the 1968 Olympic Games, which was published in October 2018 to mark the 50th anniversary of Doubell’s victory.

Michael has a life-long interest in art. He studied it at school until he was convinced to drop it as a subject because it didn’t “scale” well in the HSC. He wished he’d had the maturity to push back.

Michael has finally escaped the corporate world and now lives in the Southern Highlands.

With over a decade of experience working with private and commercial galleries, Daniel Soma says that he couldn’t imagine a career more fulfilling.

After joining the team as Sydney Gallery Manager in 2018, he was appointed a Director in June 2020. Daniel works closely with our Sydney and Murrurundi artists in delivering exceptional in-gallery and online exhibition programs. He particularly enjoys working with emerging artists and is always looking for opportunities to expand exhibition programs through collaboration with regional galleries.

Daniel believes his top strengths are his creative approaches to art consultation and online art presentation. Since joining the Michael Reid team, he has introduced new visual strategies for the online presentation of exhibitions in pursuit of producing an accessible exhibition experience for regional, interstate and international collectors. He works hard on maintaining working relationships with collectors and consistently demonstrates a resourcefulness that many gallery clients will attest to.

Coline Soria joins Michael Reid with six years experience in the art industry, having worked in the interior design sector in Paris and contemporary art galleries in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Coline completed a combined Bachelor of Art History & Business and a Masters in research of contemporary art in France, her native country.

This industry experience has educated Coline with a finely tuned expertise and a broad knowledge of contemporary Australian Art.

James comes from a background in management consulting, where he specialised in strategy execution and business design. Over five years he partnered, advised and restructured some of the largest private and public entities across the country.

Originally from farms near Tamworth and Merriwa, James has returned to the country after many years working, studying and playing rugby in Sydney. He has a long association with the art world, with direct experience in online exhibition management, and through his own art practice as a professional portrait artist (oils and graphite).

James holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Fin/Eco) and a Master of Economics with distinction from The University of Sydney, and also spent six months on scholarship studying at Frankfurt University (Goethe) in Germany. He shares a similar creative passion for music, has trained as an operatic tenor and has a particular interest in country music singing and songwriting. James has a voice, of note @jimby.boy

Ronan is an alumnus of the University of Sydney, graduating in 1985 with an Arts Degree majoring in Art History and gaining a post graduate Diploma in Museum Studies in 1987.

From 1985 until 1987 Ronan was the gallery assistant at the David Jones’ Art Gallery, under the guidance of the adviser Robert Haines and the manager Peta Phillips, and during that time worked on a broad range of exhibitions ranging from contemporary Australian and International Art, Australian ceramics, to Fine and Decorative Art.

In 1988 Ronan worked for the Campbell Group compiling “W.H.A.T: a national guide to all the galleries and museums in Australia”, and was then employed as an assistant curator by the Historic Houses Trust, (Sydney Living Museums) to catalogue the contents of Rouse Hill House prior to its opening to the public.

From 1989 until early 1995 he lived in London working as head cataloguer for the Lots Road Auction Rooms in Chelsea before being recruited by Christie’s Australia to become the decorative arts expert and auctioneer in Sydney. During this time he helped catalogue and sell many storied collections including The Whiteman Collection, The Eric Dare Collection, the John Schaeffer Collection at Rona, Bronte House, and others.

When the Christie’s Australian sale rooms reverted to representative office in 2006, Ronan was made the international representative for Christie’s, a role he held until March 2020. During this time he was responsible for many important international sales and also purchases by Australian clients as well as being one of the auctioneers in the bi-annual sale seasons at Christie’s Hong Kong. He is also a popular charity auctioneer for many arts and charitable organisations such as the Australian Museum, Firstdraft Gallery, the Centenary Foundation, the Sydney Children’s Hospital and others. He now works on a freelance basis for private clients and businesses as well as local auction houses.

Widely considered to be among the finest Australian art specialists of her generation, Nicola Townsend brings her expertise to the role of Art Advisor at Michael Reid. Nicola sources art works for sale by the gallery, and liaises with collectors to determine their acquisition needs, with the aid of her extensive experience and discerning eye.

Nicola obtained a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Fine Arts from the University of Sydney before going on to work for prestigious auction houses Sotheby’s and Christie’s, where she was elevated to the position of Associate Director of Paintings. Not one to rest on her laurels, Nicola went on to establish a highly successful art dealing consultancy in Tokyo over a period of nine years before returning to home soil and more recent move to Hong Kong.

When not immersed in the world of Australian art Nicola can be found spending time with her family on land and on the water.

Kate joined Michael Reid Northern Beaches as a gallery assistant in 2022, taking some time out for travel after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2020 from the National Art School.

Kate assists with installing exhibitions, creating digital content, producing written material, and providing service for clients and artists across several of our gallery locations.

Away from the gallery Kate enjoys spending time in the country with her family and keeps up with her ceramic art practice.

As an original founder of the Belltrees Country House, near Scone, NSW, Camilla branched into her love of plants establishing STEM – The Art of Flowers, a floral design business she ran for fifteen years. Her sought-after interior design and styling experience led Camilla to work as Lifestyle Curator for a series of high-profile homeware businesses.

Camilla brings considerable creative design skills and energy to sourcing unique, handmade and Australian design products for the revamped Murrurundi concept store.

In late 2023, the Michael Reid congregation of galleries and creative platforms instituted an overarching, formal governing Board of Directors. This is a first for a commercial art gallery in Australia. The Board holds the Executive Team accountable for their commitments while introducing fresh analysis, providing new direction and identifying tangible business opportunities across the group. Working collaboratively and in formation, the Executive Team, comprised of Michael Reid, Toby Meagher, Daniel Soma, and Amber Creswell-Bell, will execute operational actions. The board consists of:

Andrew Grant

An engineer with an MBA from the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Grant worked for many years as a consultant with McKinsey & Company before founding Virgin Mobile. Over the last decade, Grant has worked internationally in senior positions in private health. Today, as CEO of Medteryx Digital Health, he is in the early research and development stage of AI-assisted diagnostic tools and digital therapeutics for mental health care. Grant is also a serious amateur photographer.

Toby Meagher

Director, Michael Reid

Dr. Trevor Moody

Dr. Moody attended the MIT Sloan School of Management. Based in the United States, Dr. Moody has broad experience in growth-oriented markets. He was a General Partner at Frazier Healthcare Ventures, a leading healthcare venture capital and private equity investment firm. Dr. Moody is also a commercial, multi-engine pilot with an instrument rating and an advanced ground instructor certificate. He is active with Angel Flight West, where he is a Command Pilot and a member of the Board of Directors.

Michael Reid OAM

Chair and Director, Michael Reid

Daniel Soma

Non-Executive Director, Michael Reid

It is expected that the board will grow in numbers, and skills offered up, over the coming year.