UK Locations CEO named one of The Times’ Rising Stars
September 22, 2025
We’re proud to share that Lauren York, CEO of UK Locations, has been recognised by The Times as one of the region’s “rising stars.” The feature highlights the entrepreneurial leaders shaping the future of business in Leeds, and we’re delighted to see Lauren and our company acknowledged among them.
Read the full (paywalled) article here
Lauren’s journey with UK Locations has been far from ordinary. She took over the company in 2010 under heartbreaking circumstances, following the sudden death of founder Nick Jones, her brother-in-law. At the time, she was juggling family responsibilities and running the business, with little formal training. “I’d worked in TV but I didn’t know how to run a business,” Lauren told The Times. “But because the worst thing had happened to us, I thought, what could go wrong really?”
Under Lauren’s leadership, UK Locations evolved into a specialist photography, film and TV location agency representing high-end homes and commercial properties across the North of England. By focusing exclusively on location services and building trusted relationships with clients such as Netflix, Disney+ and global brands, the company established itself as a leading boutique agency outside London.
Like many growing businesses, UK Locations hit a plateau. But after completing the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme at Oxford’s Said Business School, Lauren found new confidence and vision. Turnover doubled within a year, and the company launched Vozy, its own production arm creating content around iconic filming locations. Backed by Innovate UK funding, Vozy’s pilot show gained more than a million views on TikTok within three months.
With revenues of £1.2m and an expanding team, UK Locations continues to combine location expertise with innovative media projects. Lauren’s recognition as a regional rising star is both a personal milestone and a reflection of the company’s exciting future.
