10 February 2026
An Open Letter to the Trustees of Bradford Producing Hub

This is an open letter to the Board of Trustees (the Board) of Bradford Producing Hub (BPH), expressing concerns relating to the current position and management of the charity by the board.

We the undersigned wish to express the risk we perceive in the current situation.

To date, and under the leadership of the current Executive Director, Lisa Mallaghan, BPH has developed and delivered an innovative, accessible, and contemporary programme of work for creative people at all career stages. BPH exists for our benefit and professional development, and we have regularly had opportunity to bring our voice to how BPH should be run, and how BPH can meet sector needs.

We are aware that ‘charity fixer’ Kate Hainsworth has been engaged by BPH. This, combined with existing rumours and questions about the resignation of the current Executive Director, and the resignation of several board members in 2025, raises concerns about legacy planning at BPH, and whether decisions being made are in the best interests of Bradford’s creative sector.

At this time of transition for the organisation, we would like to remind the board and new management that the artists, creative practitioners and arts workers in Bradford have a stake in the charity and the decisions made. BPH’s position is built on relationships, trust and creative excellence. It is this trust in BPH and its people, and in how the company lives its values everyday, that results in us supporting its remit for the development of the sector in Bradford.

The current changes at leadership and governance level pose significant risks not only to BPH, but to the developing ecology of the creative sector in Bradford. We want to lend our support in ensuring a robust future for the organisation, and the sector.

Therefore we the undersigned request the following:

• Clarity around the role of Kate Hainsworth and her remit

• A transparent plan for the future leadership of BPH taking into account how and why decisions have been made relating to legacy plans for the Executive Director

• Timely recruitment of new Board members, representative of the diversity of Bradford in terms of identity, lived experience and freelance practicing artists

• Specific details of how and when we as a sector will be consulted on BPH’s future

43
signatures
42 verified
  1. Anji Timlin, Artist, Bradford
  2. Alice Withers, South Square Centre, Bradford
  3. Tabitha Bast, Writer/therapist, Shipley
  4. Sophie Powell, Artist and producer, Bradford
  5. Chris Cambell, Poet + Visual Artist, Shipley
  6. Laura-Jane Corey Brooks, Freelance Event Manager, Bradford
  7. Lucy Reains, Event Mangment, BHU Community Arts CIC, Leeds
  8. Ezra Nash, Co Artistic Director (Mat cover), Common/Wealth, Bradford
  9. Becky Hutchinson, Equity Partnership
  10. Sue Dyde, Artistic Director, Shoutdrama & Bradford Belles, Bradford
  11. Alan Troake, Actor, Spotlight, KEIGHLEY
  12. Vicky Clifton, Executive Director, Bradford Heritage Connection, Bradford
  13. Richard Dunbar, Freelance Creative, Bradford
  14. Mr Martin Scott, Bradford
  15. Naseem Darbey, Artist, Bradford
  16. Lauren batty, CEO, OutLOUD ltd, Bradford
  17. Katrina McEachran, BSL Interpreter, Freelance, Bradford
  18. Hannah Mallott-Manning, Artist, HanMade, Shipley
  19. Nicola Storr, Visual artist and facilitator, Freelance, Bingley
  20. Louise Hodgson, Creative producer and dance tutor, Liberty Arts Productions, Bradford
  21. Rosie Freeman, Bradford
  22. Alison McIntyre, Freelance artist and producer, Bradford
  23. Michael Forrest, Actor/Writer, Cartwright Higgins Management, Bradford
  24. Andy Walton-Vaines, Photographer, Shipley
  25. Gemma Hobbs, Creative Communities, Freelance, Keighley
  26. Rosalind Day, Retired, n/a, Bradford
  27. Jack Stockdale-Haley, Fight Choreographer, Jack of all Blades, Bradford
  28. Katie Jones, Artistic Director, Cecil Green Arts, Bradford
  29. Domino Panton-Oakley, Programme and Gallery Manager, South Square Centre, Bradford
  30. Wilko Wilkes, Rapper, artist & youth facilitator, Wilko Wilkes Music/Rap for Good, Bingley
  31. Deana Morgan, Dance Leader, Deana Morgan Dance, Bradford
  32. Rochyne Delaney McNulty, Artist and facilitator, Bradford
  33. Dan McGlade, Composer, Musician, Shipley
  34. Evie Manning, Co-AD, Common/Wealth, Bradford
  35. Rachael Dennis, Freelance Creative, Bradford
  36. Sean Jukes, Printing tech, Rambling Clo, Keighley
  37. Sid Akbar, Theatre maker, Dhamaka Arts
  38. Bill Parker, Artist, KC, Haworth
  39. Jenn Wilson, Artist/producer/coach, Irregular, Bradford
  40. Tricia Arthur-Stubbs, Dance Practitioner and BRAVE Festival Director, Swirl Education, Bradford
  41. Cat Fortey, Author/Illustrator, Shipley
  42. Kirran Shah, Writer, Bradford
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