AN organisation set up to support Bradford’s arts and culture sector has appointed its first board.

Bradford Producing Hub (BPH) is moving to becoming an independent organisation, having started as a short-term, Arts Council-funded project.

Leading the board are co-chairs Karen Watson, co-founding artistic director of East Street Arts, and Kamal Kaan, a Bradford-born actor and writer known for his work across stage, screen, and radio.

Mrs Watson said: “I have always had a focus and interest in sector support, but it is often overlooked by funders and other stakeholders.

“I believe if there are services, programmes, spaces and expertise that can support the artists we have a much healthier sector, resulting in a stronger product or more meaningful engagement with audiences and participants.”

Mr Kaan added: "Being a Bradford-born and based artist, I loved the work Bradford Producing Hub was doing to support emerging and practising artists within the city and I wanted to be part of the wonderfully passionate team."

Joining the pair on the board are previous BPH consortia members Alex Croft, creative director of Kala Sangam; Liz Mytton, creative director of Theatre in Flow and Urussa Malik.

The board has also welcomed Stephen Thorp, David Glanville who is Bradford Council's head of communications and marketing, and Stephanie Highett, a freelance communications and reputation management consultant.