Louise Yates, BEM

Artistic Director & CEO

Brought up on a mix of the finest working men’s club turns South Leeds had to offer, it’s no wonder Louise took to a career in the arts: she started her acting career as 1970’s cabaret performer ‘Fanny Rogers’, going on to work in TV and theatre whilst teaching performing arts at Thomas Danby College, Leeds.

With a degree in Theatre and Music Tech from York and a PGCE from Huddersfield, Louise came to Hull 16 years ago to join Hull Truck Theatre’s education team. Like most visitors, she fell in love with the city and made Hull her home, moving on to manage the regional youth arts organisation Creative Connexions, engaging with some of the hardest to reach young people in the region.

During her time as Community Cohesion and Arts Development Officer at Hull City Council, her passion for engaging new audiences was evident as she worked on events across the city – it was here she developed those very Back to Ours ingredients of mixing the familiar with the unfamiliar and began her research into building a touring network using community venues.

As Producer for Hull UK City of Culture she placed herself firmly in neighbourhoods to produce 7 Alleys and The Gold Nose of Green Ginger while establishing Back to Ours as a half term festival, taking quality national and international touring shows right into the heart of Hull’s communities.

Taking on the role of Director of Hull’s Creative People and Places project at the end of 2017, Louise secured Back to Ours’ future and built a team of staff, residents and volunteers that could take the project forward. With her distinctive approach to community engagement embedded and people at the heart of the work, it was a bold exciting programme built on learning and research; Back to Bransholme

As Artist Director and CEO of Back to Ours Arts Ltd Louise leads with people and with care, passionate as ever about connecting and reaching people. With a unique ability to co-create Louise regularly shares her journey and learning through talks, training and as a critical friend to other arts organisations and local authorities.

And when she has time, with a love of music, dogs and nights out down the club with her family, Lou’s fave place in the world to visit is Singapore followed closely by Lloret De Mar.

Laura Cox

Engagement & Production Coordinator

Laura’s a Hull lass born and bred. With a career in events and being a performer, she knows the buzz of performance and the importance of introducing people to the arts world. Whether it’s igniting old passions or inspiring new generations, she’s here for it.

Laura’s a real people person who loves a gab and meeting new people, and is all about making sure amazing art experiences are accessible to all.

Ellie Irwin

Producer

Ellie is our resident Canadian who moved to Yorkshire via London to be part of Hull’s City of Culture year. She fell in love with the city (and a Hull lad), so she decided to stay.

Ellie’s first love is film. She’s worked in operations at Yorkshire’s biggest film festivals, Sheffield DocFest and Leeds International Film Fest. She is a Trustee and lead programmer at Hull Independent Cinema.

Her work as a producer involves connecting all the dots and beautiful people involved in a show or production, whether as artists, venues, volunteers, or audiences. And she thinks it’s the best job in the world.

She can be found at the cinema multiple times a week, supporting her Girlguiding Brownie unit, learning German, embroidering, sewing or out on a walk with her rescue staffy, Kiera.

Ian Sawyers

Company Administrator 

Ian’s joined Back to Ours after 15 years in the corporate sector. He’s always been passionate about the arts and the cultural offer in his home town and decided to make the leap and join the Back to Ours Team this year. You’ll find Ian organising everyone, keeping our finances up to date and assisting on events throughout the BTO programme.

He loves travelling, visiting galleries, international films, tennis, concerts and collecting Madonna memorabilia.