Mark Hollander

Mark trained in Theatre Arts at Bretton Hall (University of Leeds) 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 and after his first child was born, Mark became Theatre Officer at Arts Council England, Yorkshire where he remained for 12 years, moving into other roles as Acting Head of Performing Arts and Senior Relationship Manager for Funding Programmes.

In 2013 Mark became Executive Director of Unlimited Theatre, a national and international touring company. Following this he 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 (Leeds 2023 year of culture) to help establish the operational infrastructure and establish the fundraising strategy, building a Development Team towards a £34m culture festival.

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

Recent work includes fundraising for: Leeds 2023, Calderdale Year of Culture, Freedom Studios, and numerous arts and culture organisations.

Mark lives in Leeds, is a keen road cyclist, and enjoys theatre, dance, books, and film.