As wealth transitions across generations and global markets face rising volatility, art is emerging as both a cultural pursuit and a strategic store of value. For Beaumont Nathan, the independent art advisory that is formally entering the Middle East this autumn with a new office in Abu Dhabi, the region is fast becoming a focal point of this transformation.
The firm has been active in the Gulf for over a decade, but its decision to establish a physical presence reflects a deeper commitment to the market. “Beaumont Nathan has been active in the Middle East for the last ten years, having maintained a number of committed, long-term relationships in which we have advised on both acquisitions and sales,” said co-founder Hugo Nathan. “Embedding ourselves in the region, in close partnership with Lateefa, will allow us to better serve collectors, while positioning the firm at the heart of the UAE’s economic hub.”
Art as resilience in volatile markets
With inflation and portfolio volatility pushing investors to look beyond traditional assets, art has attracted increasing attention. Nathan cautioned, however, against treating it purely as an investment. “While we advise caution when treating art as an investment, collectors are increasingly attuned to commercial profile when making decisions, and often rely on trusted, independent advice to navigate these complexities,” he noted. “We have found that our clients are shifting their focus toward long-term enjoyment and value, with greater appetite for professional advice to ensure their collections are resilient in volatile times.”
This perspective aligns with the UAE’s ambition to be both a financial hub and a cultural powerhouse. According to co-founder Wentworth Beaumont, that dual positioning creates unique opportunities. “We view these ambitions as being very much complementary. The opportunity lies in advising collectors and institutions who want to participate at the highest levels, ensuring total transparency and clarity in decision-making,” he said. “The challenge is in marrying curatorial excellence with commercial rigor, which lies at the core of what we do.”
The next generation reshapes collecting
The “great wealth transfer” is changing collector behaviour globally — and the Middle East is no exception. Beaumont observed that younger collectors are adopting a more pragmatic approach. “The next generation is approaching collecting through a more commercial lens, moving away from speculation and towards long-term durability,” he explained. “With broad and varied tastes, they are shaping demand across a range of categories, with many families needing to reconcile the legacy of their collection with the realities of the future.”
To address this, Beaumont Nathan has launched a family-focused service designed to support cross-generational transitions. “This is why we are formally launching a service tailored specifically to families, which will equip them with informed curatorial opinions, differentiated insights and commercial strategies to enhance, reduce, evolve or divide their collections, and to ensure they retain value into the future,” Beaumont added.
Corporate and institutional demand
At the same time, corporations in the region are increasingly curating art collections as part of brand-building and legacy strategies. Beaumont said the advisory’s approach remains rooted in independence, transparency, and expertise. “Our approach to begin with is about clarity, transparency, passion, and independence. We bring an international and unconflicted perspective rooted in depth of experience across all key areas of the market, from Old Masters to Contemporary,” he explained.
Where corporate clients differ from private collectors is in focus: “Corporate collections are approached with a focus on legacy, identity and values, often balancing the needs of various stakeholders. Meanwhile, private clients are guided toward building meaningful and highly individualized collections for cross-generational enjoyment, often over many years or decades.”
A regional perspective
For newly appointed regional advisor, Lateefa bin Hamoodah, the Gulf’s art ecosystem is entering a new chapter. “The Gulf art scene has been developing for many years, and is now entering a new phase with strong institutions and a vibrant calendar of exhibitions and auctions,” she said. “The region as a whole, and Abu Dhabi in particular, has ambitions to become a best-in-class, international venue for the art market, marrying its global perspective with its rich and diverse cultural heritage.”
Bin Hamoodah’s role will be to connect Beaumont Nathan’s international expertise with the unique character of Gulf collectors. “My role is to help collectors build meaningful, museum-quality collections and navigate today’s global art market, while acting as a bridge between Beaumont Nathan’s international team and the UAE/Gulf region,” she explained. “Through my passion for art, commercial acumen, and personal network – built through various cultural strategy initiatives and involvement in collectors’ circles – I look forward to deepening my relationships with ambitious collectors in the region.”
Looking ahead, she sees the Middle East becoming increasingly central to global art flows. “The Middle East is poised to play a more central role as both a cultural hub and a market for international art. With the world paying greater attention to the region’s institutions, the next decade will see increased global integration,” she said. “Beaumont Nathan aims to be at the forefront of this journey, providing trusted, independent and transparent advisory services to empower collectors – reinforcing the UAE’s positioning as a cultural centre and a meaningful contributor to the global art market.”
