Yorkshire Contemporary appoints new Trustees

Emii Alrai is an artist whose work considers heritage, nostalgia and the colonial legacies of artefacts. Working primarily in sculptural installation she draws on the languages of museums and archaeology to question how history is constructed, romanticised and ultimately displayed. She has held solo exhibitions at Towner Eastbourne, Compton Verney, Maximillian William, Quench Gallery, The Hepworth Wakefield & iniva, Workplace Foundation and The Tetley. Emii studied at University of Leeds, and participated in Yorkshire Contemporary’s previous talent development programme for emerging artists from 2018-19.

Simon Baker is the founding Director of Group Ginger Architects, a Leeds-based practice specialising in adaptive reuse and cultural regeneration. With over 25 years’ experience, he champions conservation-led development as a catalyst for civic renewal, aligning sustainability, commercial realism and long-term cultural value. He has led major projects including the refurbishment of the Henry Moore Institute, helping organisations unlock funding and future confidence through strategic design. A former RIBA Yorkshire Regional Chair, Simon taught at the University of Sheffield for ten years and is Chair-elect of Yorkshire Contemporary (Chair from Summer 2026).

Kiera Blakey is the Director of New Contemporaries, where she is leading a renewed, artist centred vision for the organisation, widening access and reshaping how early career artists are supported across the UK. She is also Associate Curator at Compton Verney and previously held curatorial roles at Art on the Underground, Camden Arts Centre and Nottingham Contemporary. Kiera was born in Yorkshire.

Fiona Bradley is the Director of Fruitmarket in Edinburgh. Motivated by a commitment to the transformative power of art, and to what bringing artists and audiences together can do, she started her curatorial career at Tate Liverpool and the Hayward Gallery, London. At Fruitmarket, she has overseen a dramatic rise in audiences and a major expansion and improvement project that doubled the size of the building, improving access and adding new spaces. 

Bec Butler is a senior communications and brand leader with more than 15 years’ experience across the cultural and sustainability sectors. She currently leads commercial communications at National Parks Partnerships, shaping national brand strategy and driving collaborations that support people, nature and climate across the UK’s 15 National Parks. Starting her career at York Theatre Royal, she then spent a decade as Associate Director at a global cultural communications agency. She is based in Yorkshire.

James Nadin is a barrister, specialising in commercial litigation and international arbitration. He has over 20 years’ experience of dealing with complex commercial disputes, across a broad range of industries, and has a particular interest in disputes concerning art and cultural property. James is also Vice-Chair of the Board of DACS, a not-for-profit organisation which is dedicated to protecting and managing the rights of artists. James is a keen collector of contemporary art and photography, holds an MA from the University of Cambridge and a BCL from the University of Oxford. He was born and raised in South Yorkshire.

Hannah Robertshaw is the Creative Director for Yorkshire Dance – a charity that works through dance to promote health, happiness, connection and change. Hannah trained as a dancer, working for over 25 years in the UK Dance Sector in roles including Artistic Producer and Programmes Director. Based in Leeds, Hannah is a champion for dance development, working across Yorkshire and beyond with a commitment to making the arts accessible for everyone. Hannah has expertise in co-production, partnership working, coaching and community development.