Alexander Mark Heming Gilkes is a British businessman with a background in technology and e-commerce.
In 2020, he co-founded Squared Circles, a venture studio focused on launching new technology-based ventures.
Before Squared Circles, Gilkes was co-founder and president of Paddle8, an online auction house, from 2011 to 2018.
During his tenure, Paddle8 grew to become a notable player in the online art and collectibles auction space before being acquired by The Native in 2018.
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- Full name: Alexander Mark Heming Gilkes
- Stage name: Alexander Gilkes
- Date of birth: July 16, 1979
- Age: 45 years old
- Place of birth: Camden, London, England, United Kingdom
- Nationality: English
- Occupation: British auctioneer
- Height: Unknown
- Parent: Jeremy Gilkes
- Siblings: Charlie Gilkes
- Spouse: Misha Nonoo (m. 2012- 2017)
- Partner: Maria Sharapova
- Children: Theodore
- Relationship: Engaged
- Net worth: 25 million USD
Early life and education
Alexander Mark Heming Gilkes is an English businessman born on 16 July 1979 in Camden, London, England, United Kingdom. He was born to his parents, whose father is Jeremy Gilkes, a dermatologist, and his mother’s name is unknown.
Gilkes has an older brother named Charlie Gilkes and they are both involved in similar industries, especially in the world of art and auctions.
Gilkes was educated at Eton College and the University of Bristol. His ethnicity is white and he follows Christianity as his religion.
Career
Alexander Gilkes has worked in New York City since 2008. He was an auctioneer at Phillips de Pury & Company and worked at luxury conglomerate LVMH. Gilkes has served as auctioneer for high-profile auctions, including Madonna’s Raising Malawi, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and amFAR.
In 2011, Gilkes founded Paddle8, an online auction platform for fine art, photography, street art and collectibles. The company has seen significant growth, reaching revenue of $20 million in 2013 and more than $140 million in 2015.
Paddle8 was acquired by The Native in 2015. Gilkes stepped down from his role at Paddle8 in 2018. In 2020, he co-founded venture studio Squared Circles with Lukas Derksen and Osman Khan, his co-founder at Paddle8.
Gilkes was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Entrepreneurs of 2017. Art + Auction magazine also named him one of the 100 most powerful people in the art world in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Additionally, he has been featured on lists of digital noobs, influencers under 40, and best-dressed individuals by publications such as DETAILS, Apollo, Vanity Fair, and GQ. Gilkes currently serves on the board of trustees of the New York Academy of Art.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @gilkesa
Personal life
Alexander Gilkes is an English businessman and art dealer. He has been in a relationship with former Russian professional tennis player Maria Sharapova since 2018. The couple announced their engagement on December 17, 2020. On July 1, 2022, they welcomed son Theodore.
Before his relationship with Sharapova, Gilkes was married to British-Bahrainian fashion designer Misha Nonoo. They married in May 2012 in Venice, Italy and live in New York City. Their divorce was finalized in the summer of 2017.
Net worth
Alexander Gilkes’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million. He accumulated his wealth primarily through his successful business and startup career, especially in the fields of art and technology. His ventures include founding Squared Circles, a venture capital studio, and serving as a contributing editor to British Vogue.
