Getting to know... Lauren York

In the latest instalment of Bdaily’s Getting to know... feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Lauren York, chief executive at Leeds-based film location agency UK Locations, talks about her fascination with the broadcast world from a young age, growing the business out of tragic circumstances and learning to salsa with Sir Bruce Forsyth.

We know you as the chief executive of UK Locations, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…

I genuinely adore working on and growing UK Locations; it’s my absolute passion and something that gives me a buzz every single day.

However, at the heart of everything is my family. 

I treasure the time I get to spend with them, and having a business I love, and the flexibility to enjoy family life, feels like winning the jackpot. 

Did you always want to work in TV and film production? 

Definitely. 

When I was little, I used to sit in front of the TV completely amazed, trying to figure out how people got inside the box.

At school, when I said I wanted to work in TV, the careers adviser told me to think of something else because it was “too hard to get into” – that actually made me want it even more.

After university, I handwrote more than 100 letters to production companies asking for work experience. 

Only one of them got back to me, but that one reply turned into a job on Through the Keyhole, which I absolutely loved.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

The best part of my job is the access it gives me to extraordinary homes and even more extraordinary people.

It’s a huge honour that owners trust us to open their doors, and I never take that for granted. 

I also love working with property owners to help them earn money from their homes by using them as film locations.

The worst part of the job is knowing that location managers still don’t have a BAFTA.

It genuinely makes me sad that, despite being such a hugely creative and vital part of the production process, the role isn’t yet recognised with its own award.

I’m actively campaigning for this through my work on the Location Managers Guild International committee.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Taking over UK Locations 15 years ago is something I’m incredibly proud of. 

I stepped into the role after my brother-in-law and former boss at Yorkshire TV Nick tragically died in a traffic accident. 

He was only 38, and he left behind my sister and their two little boys, who were just three and four at the time.

Nick was the business, and I’d never run a company before. 

But I remember thinking, ‘the worst has already happened; if I try and it doesn’t work, then so what?’

That was 15 years ago. It’s been a bumpy journey at times, but today we’re a strong team of eight with a successful, growing business. 

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built, and I think Nick would be too.

How do you relax outside of work?

I love getting away in our campervan with my husband and kids. 

There’s something blissful about being in nature with no phone signal – just us, some fresh air and a bit of peace.

We’re all into mountain biking and walking, so we’re usually muddy, tired and very happy.

I’ve also had the same group of girlfriends since Year 7 at high school, and we now all live in Leeds. 

Spending time with them makes me incredibly happy.

What makes Yorkshire such a great place to live and work?

For living, Yorkshire has the perfect balance. 

There’s always something going on – theatre, gigs, clubs, community groups, you name it. 

And then you’ve got incredible green spaces on your doorstep. 

Meanwood Wood, for example, is a little slice of heaven. 

You can be in the city within minutes, and just as quickly escape into a beautiful woodland walk. It’s the best of both worlds.

For work, Yorkshire is incredibly supportive of entrepreneurs and growing businesses. 

There’s a real sense the region wants you to succeed. 

I’m part of the Lifted Project, which champions fast-growing, women-led businesses, and initiatives like this make a huge difference. 

We’re also lucky to have a mayor like Tracy Brabin, who is genuinely committed to backing the creative industries and pushing forward brilliant programmes and opportunities.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

I was Sir Bruce Forsyth’s personal runner on The Price is Right and, honestly, it’s still the best job I’ve ever had.

Bruce was incredibly lovely and generous. 

It was one of my very first roles in TV, and he couldn’t have been kinder – he even taught me how to salsa dance! 

It set the bar very high for the rest of my career.

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