We are excited to announce that Mark Hollander will take on the role of Chair of Trustees. Mark will take over from our amazing outgoing Chair, Shirley Parks. We are very grateful for Shirley’s wonderful work as Chair and look forward to seeing what she takes on next.

She shared her thoughts about her time at Yorkshire Dance:

“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to chair the Board of Yorkshire Dance over the past 6 years. Yorkshire Dance is an inspiring and inclusive organisation that is passionate about creating a better world through the power of dance.  I am in awe of the energy and expertise of the staff and the commitment of Trustees. Yorkshire Dance will go from strength to strength with Mark as the new Chair of the Board, given his skills and expertise, and I wish him and Yorkshire Dance the very best for the future.”

Mark trained in Theatre Arts at Bretton Hall in Yorkshire. Over the next fifteen years he worked as a theatre actor and director, and later as a Radio Studio Manager for the BBC World Service. Following a period living and working in Spain, after his first child was born, Mark became Theatre Officer at Arts Council England, Yorkshire. He remained there for 12 years, moving in to other roles as Acting Head of Performing Arts and Senior Relationship Manager.

In 2013, Mark became Executive Director of Unlimited Theatre and, following this, was Executive Director for the award-winning Phoenix Dance Theatre, working alongside Artistic Director Sharon Watson MBE. In 2020, Mark took up the role of Executive Director for Leeds Culture Trust playing a key role in setting up the operational infrastructure and the fundraising strategy for Leeds 2023.

Over the years, Mark has also worked as a freelance arts consultant and, in February 2022, having qualified as an ILM level 5 Coach, he returned to freelance work as a consultant, coach and mentor​. Through this role he supports arts and cultural organisations and their boards, individual artists and practitioners.

Mark comments on joining Yorkshire Dance:

“I am so pleased to have been appointed Chair of Yorkshire Dance at a time of change and opportunity for the company. The dedicated team and insightful board have created a wonderful environment for making a positive impact on people’s lives, through dance. I very much look forward to taking over from outgoing Chair, Shirley Parks, and will endeavour to maintain the ethos, standards and sheer pleasure in dance for everyone, that the company embraces.”

Welcome Mark! We’re delighted to have you join and lead our board.