Lisa Mallaghan, a key member of Bradford’s City of Culture team, has joined HEY Creative as its new Chief Officer.
For the last 2 decades, she’s led major arts programmes nationally and internationally.
Mallaghan was Executive Director of Bradford Producing Hub, which helped deliver a 3-year programme to prepare for Bradford 2025. She co-designed and delivered the £1m Bradford Way arts initiative, focusing on developing cultural entrepreneurs and businesses throughout the year.
HEY Creative is Hull and East Yorkshire’s “Cultural Compact” and was established by Arts Council England and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, to support the region’s arts and cultural sectors.
“As an arts and culture leader, I’m passionate about seeing the growth of the creative industries, in the North in particular,” she explained.
“What excites me about HEY Creative is the cross-sector approach, bringing together arts, business, universities, health and education to support arts and culture to grow, and develop a place, an economy and a community.
“The work HEY Creative has done so far is really exciting. The key is turning that cross-sector collaboration into real action and impact for the cultural sector and for the organisations involved.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to work together to maximise every opportunity for arts and culture across Hull and East Yorkshire.”
Her move to Hull coincides with the 10th anniversary of its year as UK City of Culture in 2017.
Prior to her role at Bradford Producing Hub, she was Senior Producer at Mind the Gap – England’s leading learning disability performance and live arts company.
She succeeds Max May as HEY Creative’s Chief Officer, May is has been appointed as CEO of Creative Lives.
“In appointing Lisa as our new Chief Officer, we have at our helm a leader who has made a significant contribution to Bradford and Yorkshire’s cultural sector over the past decade,” said Dominic Gibbons, Chair of HEY Creative.
“Lisa shares our vision, and ambition, for the vital role HEY Creative must play in the region’s cultural life, forging and strengthening cross-sector partnerships and helping to shape a diverse, sustainable future for arts organisations.
“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Max for his leadership of HEY Creative, guiding the organisation from its earliest days and putting in place strong foundations from which to build.”
