A white man with short brown hair, short beard and glasses looks directly into the camera.

Joe Hill appointed as YSP's new Director and Chief Executive

News / 21 Jan 2026

News Story

We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Hill as YSP's new Director and Chief Executive. Joe is relocating to Yorkshire with his family to join the team this spring. His appointment marks the beginning of a pivotal phase for YSP as we look ahead to our 50th anniversary in 2027. 

The Trustees’ appointment of Hill responds to his proven track record of leading cultural organisations through periods of growth, transformation and national recognition, and his ambition for YSP and the region. He brings exceptional insight into how cultural institutions can shape place, foster creativity and connect meaningfully with diverse audiences and teams with care.  

Originally from Yorkshire and a trained artist, Hill is currently Director and CEO of Towner Eastbourne, a position he has held for eight years. During his tenure, Towner Eastbourne won Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2020, hosted the Turner Prize in 2023, and secured Levelling Up funding for a major capital project to create a new arts, environment and heritage centre.

Hill brings a combination of creative insight, strategic leadership and partnership-building experience to YSP. He is an active contributor to national cultural policy, including serving as a member of the Turner Prize 2026 jury, and through leadership roles in regional and sector-wide networks such as Culture East Sussex and the South East Creative Economy Network.  

Read the full announcement here. 

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