Ernest Yates joined the National Skating Association as a 17-year-old in 1932, and four years later, in 1936, he was runner-up in the British Pairs Championship with Rosemarie Stewart, who also placed second the previous year with Yates’ younger brother Geoffrey. At the 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Olympics, Ernest and Rosemarie finished 10th. The following year, Yates teamed up with Miss Styles at the British Championship, but, due to their restricted practice together, they failed to medal. Yates served as a captain during World War II, and after the hostilities returned to competitive skating and had a new partner in Pamela Davis. They finished second at the 1946 British Championships, and then came ninth in the European Championships at Davos, Switzerland. Like his younger brother Geoffrey, Ernest also became a skating judge and served on the National Skating Association Council and Ice Figure Committee, before retiring to Guernsey.