Mark Hollander (Chair)

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.