Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) is delighted to welcome several new trustees to the Board and extend gratitude to outgoing members for their dedication to the charity.

The last three years have been a transitional time for YSP, the UK’s leading centre for modern and contemporary sculpture based near Wakefield, Sheffield and Leeds, in West and South Yorkshire. Clare Lilley, appointed as Director in spring 2022, has recently effected change in governance together with a new executive team. Highly skilled and extremely valuable, long-serving trustees are making way for fresh voices, expertise and experience, bringing together new perspectives that align with YSP’s values and passion for enabling access to art for all.

YSP is profoundly grateful to outgoing trustees who have brought a wealth of experience and dedication to the arts charity. John Foster CBE, Rupert Nabarro OBE, Maria de Peverelli, Sir Rodney Walker, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Magnus von Wistinghausen, and Greville Worthington leave a strong legacy on which remaining and new trustees will build, leading YSP to a sustainable future.

A governance review supported by Kathleen Soriano (independent curator, art historian and broadcaster) and a rigorous recruitment procedure garnered a heartening response of more than 70 applications from around the world, with prospective trustees citing a love and inspiring connection to YSP, often from childhood. Shortlisting resulted in 24 interviewed candidates, from which 9 individuals have been appointed to the main Board and to a newly created Trading and Enterprise Board.

YSP Chair Peter Clegg said: “The last two years have been both challenging and exciting for YSP Trustees. We have said a fond farewell to our Founding Director Sir Peter Murray CBE and to board members who have served us with real dedication over the years. Our new Director Clare Lilley is demonstrating the skills she has to lead a globally significant arts organisation, which is also an integral part of its local community. And we have appointed a cohort of new trustees and advisors who bring exceptional energy and expertise to the board. We all feel it is a privilege to be associated with such a unique institution.”

YSP Director Clare Lilley said: “The calibre of individuals joining YSP’s governance is remarkable, reinforcing our reputation as a leading global arts organisation and beloved national and regional institution. At a particularly challenging time for cultural institutions in Britain and for the country’s economy, it is a privilege to welcome such accomplished and esteemed people, helping take Yorkshire Sculpture Park into the next exciting phase of its history.”

Kerry Bishop joins the Trading and Enterprise Board. She is the Founder and Director of Know Your Place, a creative business consultancy. Kerry previously served as Managing Director at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), following six years as Chief Operating Officer at Frieze.

Alice Boff joins the main Board. She is the Head of Development at Artangel, the esteemed London-based not for profit which commissions works of art for the public realm. An experienced fundraiser, Alice has previously worked with RADA, the ICA, 14-18 NOW, and the RA.

Hannah Cork has joined the Finance and Risk committee and the main Board. As former Finance Director at Factory International in Manchester and current Financial Advisor at SXSW London, she brings a wealth of financial, accountancy, governance, and operational visitor sector skills to the board.

Dr John Dunning joins the Trading and Enterprise Board. He is Principal Lecturer in Hospitality Management and Employer Engagement at Sheffield Business School and Sheffield Hallam University. John has extensive experience in Hospitality Management, including managing training and developing consultancy services for Gordon Ramsay Holdings.

Sam Henney also joins the Trading and Enterprise Board. Spanning 25 years in senior leadership positions and consultancy within the cultural sector, Sam brings expertise that extends across institutions including the National Theatre, Bodleian Libraries, and Disney Theatrical Productions, where she focused on commercial and marketing strategies.

Steve Holland joins the Finance and Risk Committee and the main Board. Born in Bradford, he was an apprentice in the chemicals industry, building an impressive career up to being CEO and Chair of the Management Board of Brenntag AG, the global market leader in chemical distribution. Steve brings financial and business acumen as well as philanthropic interest in the arts.

Katy Wickremesinghe joins the main Board of trustees. She is a British-Sri Lankan entrepreneur, cultural commentator, and founder of The Wick - a global award-winning content platform and consultancy which aims to Connect the Culturally Curious.™ Katy is a Trustee of the Royal Academy and Dulwich Picture Gallery, and serves on the advisory board of The Line, London’s first public art walk.

Isabel Williams joins the main Board of trustees. She is Chief Marketing Officer for Green Motion International, the world’s largest car rental franchise network. Previously Director of Marketing Strategy at Booking.com, Isabel lives locally and brings a wealth of experience in digital marketing and customer engagement.

Helen Whitehouse OBE joins the main Board. She is Chief Operating Officer of the Natural History Museum following six years as Deputy Director for Museums and Cultural Property at DCMS. Prior to that Helen spent a decade in the Ministry of Justice. Helen is passionate about the museums sector and has a particular love of YSP and the wider Yorkshire cultural scene.

This new cohort joins our highly valued trustees Simon Armitage CBE, Peter Clegg (Chair), Carolyn Lord, Merran McRae (Deputy Chair), Rt Hon Alan Milburn (Deputy Chair), Saad Qureshi, Sue Stuart-Smith, and Richard Watts.

YSP’s full Board and Trading and Enterprise Board comprises: Simon Armitage CBE, Kerry Bishop, Alice Boff, Peter Clegg (Chair), Hannah Cork, Dr John Dunning, Sam Henney, Steve Holland, Carolyn Lord, Merran McRae (Deputy Chair), Rt Hon Alan Milburn (Deputy Chair and Chair of Finance and Risk), Saad Qureshi, Sue Stuart-Smith, Richard Watts (Chair of People and Governance), Katy Wickremesinghe, Isabel Williams, and Helen Whitehouse OBE.

ysp.org.uk/our-board-of-trustees

Notes for Editors
Press enquiries Gemma Donovan, Communications Officer, YSP / +44 (0)1924 832 515 / comms@ysp.org.uk
Download images at ysp.org.uk/press

Listings information
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield WF4 4LG
Near Wakefield and Barnsley – M1 Junction 38
+44 (0)1924 832631 | ysp.org.uk | @YSPsculpture
Open seven days a week, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Book tickets at ysp.org.uk

Social media
Instagram and X: @YSPsculpture
Facebook: @YorkshireSculpturePark
LinkedIn: Yorkshire Sculpture Park
#YSPSculpture

About Yorkshire Sculpture Park

In 2023 YSP was awarded Visitor Attraction of the Year and Cultural Award in the Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards and awarded VisitEngland’s gold accolade in 2021-22 for an outstanding visitor attraction.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP), Art Fund Museum of the Year 2014, is a leading international destination for sculpture, inspiring everyone to enjoy and engage with outstanding art, nature, creativity, and our shared humanity. For three generations YSP has contributed to the quality of life in the region and to Britain’s ecology of contemporary sculpture. An independent charitable trust and registered museum situated in the 500-acre, 18th-century Bretton estate in West and South Yorkshire, each year YSP generates £11.5 million for the regional economy.

With a remarkable learning programme, temporary exhibitions, and sculptures sited in the landscape, across its history, YSP has worked with over 1,000 artists from more than 40 countries. They include Ai Weiwei, Leilah Babirye, Jonathan Baldock, Fiona Banner, Hemali Bhuta, Tony Cragg, Leonardo Drew, Haroon Gunn Salie, Barbara Hepworth, Damien Hirst, Andy Goldsworthy, Robert Indiana, Alfredo Jaar, Amar Kanwar, KAWS, Bharti Kher, Kimsooja, Lakwena, Lindsey Mendick, Haroon Mirza, Henry Moore, Annie Morris, Oscar Murillo, David Nash, Thomas J Price, Ursula von Rydingsvard, Sean Scully, Chiharu Shiota, Yinka Shonibare CBE, David Smith, Thukral & Tagra, James Turrell, Joana Vasconcelos, Bill Viola, and Erwin Wurm.