The international auction house's appointment points to how the digital side of art sales is regarded as increasingly important.

International auction house Bonhams has appointed Chris Tolson as chief technology officer, a role created for the first time by the firm amid digital changes to the market for fine art and other collectibles. Tolson will be based in the organisation’s London headquarters.

The new CTO “will lead the global transformation of the digital landscape”, Bonhams said of his move. 

Tolson has been involved in digital tech areas since 1995. Previous roles include those of chief platform architect at bet365, where he was responsible for the entire IT delivery for the global operation of the business. He worked at that firm for 12 years.

Subsequently, Tolson joined the telecommunications provider, NTT Europe, as CTO, where his mission was to lead IT strategy, and The Workshop, where he was the chief information officer.

The online world is changing how fine art and other items are bought and sold. Christie's, one of the main global auctioneers, has a CTO. Rival Sotheby's doesn't have a CTO but, according to its website, an executive vice president for digital development and marketing worldwide.

To see an interview with a US-based firm that says Asia is driving much of this change, see here. To see other developments, such as the extension of investment banking approaches to the sector, see an example here.