Phillips Collection’s next generation to assume leadership role in December

HIGH POINT — In a transition that might come as a surprise to some in the home furnishings industry, the leadership at Phillips Collection is changing next month.

On Dec. 1, Jason Phillips will assume the role of CEO at the furniture and décor company, replacing his father, Mark Phillips, who is transitioning into the role of chairman. The move comes as the father-son team is positioning the company for its next stage of growth and following the move to a stand-alone, year-round showroom last year.

In an exclusive interview with Furniture Today, the Phillips father-son team spoke about the transition, upcoming plans, and future strategies.

“After more than 40 years of growing Phillips Collection, now feels like the right time to pass the torch to the next generation,” said Mark Phillips. “Jason has shown a clear vision for the company’s future, and with Jessica stepping into leadership after earning her MBA from High Point University, I feel confident that the business is in strong hands.”

Phillips said that the transition will allow him and his wife, Julie, to focus on what they love most: traveling the world, discovering new inspirations and contributing to product development from a “new perspective.” As chairman, he said he will continue to guide the company’s direction and offer his insights while also enjoying a role that gives him “the freedom to step back and watch Phillips Collection continue to soar.”

“It’s no secret that this is where we’ve all been aiming,” Mark Phillips said. “Jason has been deeply involved in all aspects of the business for years, working closely with our teams and building his own vision for the company. Jessica completed her MBA (from High Point University) — quite an accomplishment for a creative — adding leadership skills and formal business practices to our family’s expertise. Julie and I are supremely confident that their background, study and innate competence, seasoned by forty years of Phillips, makes it easy to understand why we are uber-enthusiastic.”

As the new and next-generation CEO, Jason Phillips said that buyers will experience the same commitment to service and innovation they’ve known, along with category expansions that will support company growth goals.

“As Phillips Collection evolves, we’ll continue to embrace sustainable practices and expand into new product categories to bring our ‘whole home’ vision to life,” he said. “While our reputation has been built on iconic pieces like wall art, sculpture, and accent tables, we’re now adding essential categories such as storage, seating, and bedroom furniture.”

Phillips explained that he intends to follow his father’s footsteps in establishing and maintaining personal connections with the company’s customers as well as finding creative ways to support surrounding communities.

“Continuing the legacy is deeply important to me,” he said. “Mark always led with a personal touch, greeting each team member by name, making everyone feel valued and heard, and fostering a supportive environment that has shaped Phillips Collection’s family-oriented culture. This genuine care for our team — both local and abroad — is a guiding principle I intend to uphold, as I believe it’s the foundation of both our success and our resilience.”

One of the community initiatives that will continue is the collaboration between Phillips Collection and Artists with Abilities, an initiative that culminates at each High Point Market with the sale of one-of-a-kind art and décor pieces created by local differently abled artists. For the fall market, every piece in the limited edition collection sold, with artists earning all proceeds.

“Phillips Collection’s commitment to community is woven into every aspect of our work, both locally and globally,” he said. “Locally, we partner with organizations like Artists with Abilities and A Special Blend to support adults with different intellectual and developmental abilities. Internationally, we engage in initiatives such as tree planting and educational support, reinforcing our dedication to sustainability and uplifting the communities where our artisans live and work.”

Looking ahead, Mark Phillips said he is confident that the family business will continue its upward trajectory while maintaining the essence of what has made it successful for four decades.

“We’ve built a company and an industry and community position, with an organization that cherishes the world, its resources and its people,” he said. “We greet every employee by name, every day, with a fist-bump.

“Success now is seeing our next generation elevate the passion and vision, continuing to make Phillips Collection a brand that inspires and resonates with people around the world. Knowing that the company will thrive beyond my day-to-day involvement and that I’ve helped create something lasting and meaningful — that’s success to me. How lucky we are to be so beautifully-positioned for succession and control — a family business where the family isn’t alienated, in an industry that makes us highly-regarded. This transition is both a celebration of our roots and an exciting step forward.”

See also:

• Manufacturer opening new year-round showroom in High Point, and it could be a game-changer 
• All in the family: Mark, Jason and Jessica Phillips on what works and what doesn’t in the home furnishings industry