Bristol Beacon brings breadth of expertise onto its Board of Trustees with four new appointments
- Bristol Beacon News
Bristol Beacon has appointed four new Trustees to its Board, bringing extensive experience across the music industry, creative learning, youth engagement, technology, entrepreneurship and inclusion.
The new Trustees are Mark Bowers, Ellen Havard, Nigel Ipinson-Fleming and Ellara Wakely, who join the Board as Bristol Beacon continues to build on its role as a leading music and cultural organisation for Bristol and the region.
Together, the new appointments bring a broad range of expertise and perspectives that will support Bristol Beacon’s ambitions across their artistic programme, music learning, creative talent and skills, audience development and community engagement.
Mark Bowers
Mark has worked across the music industry for almost 20 years, spanning live promotion, artist management, talent development and higher education. He spent seven years as a national promoter at Metropolis Music before moving into artist development and now leads Creative Futures for BIMM Institute across the UK and Europe. Based in Bristol, Mark works to strengthen connections between education, industry and the city’s wider creative sector, with a particular focus on developing partnerships, creating opportunities and supporting the next generation of artists and music professionals.
Ellen Havard
Ellen is a Bristol-born creative leader, youth specialist, theatre director and creative facilitator with more than 15 years’ experience creating opportunities for children and young people through arts and culture. She has worked with the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic, as well as developing productions for family audiences with Travelling Light and the egg, Bath. Ellen is now Head of Young People’s Programme at Knowle West Media Centre, where she leads programmes championing creativity, inclusion and youth voice across South Bristol.
Nigel Ipinson-Fleming
Nigel has an extensive background in the music industry, having performed as a keyboardist with internationally acclaimed bands OMD and The Stone Roses. As a technology entrepreneur and founder, his agencies Bildabiz and UKC provide creative, digital and strategic services to organisations across the globe. Nigel also serves as a Deputy Lieutenant for the City and County of Bristol. He is passionate about music education and its power to provide a pathway to confidence, personal development and opportunity for young people.
Ellara Wakely
Ellara is Head of Schools Engagement at the National Theatre and a senior leader specialising in Learning and Public Engagement, Change Management, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She has led national and local learning and public engagement programmes for the National Theatre, BBC Proms and BBC Orchestras and Choirs, and previously worked as Commissioning Executive for BBC Radio 3 and Senior Change Manager for BBC Children in Need. She brings extensive experience of developing inclusive cultural learning programmes and delivering strategic change and large-scale projects.
The appointees will take up their positions from November 2026, following the announcement earlier in the year that Sandeep Katwala will take over as Chair from Jonathan Dimbleby in January 2027 after a four-year term.
Bristol Beacon Chair Jonathan Dimbleby said: “I am delighted to welcome Mark, Ellen, Nigel and Ellara to the Board of Bristol Beacon. They bring an impressive breadth of experience and expertise, and I have no doubt they will make a significant contribution to the organisation as it enters this exciting next chapter.
“Having seen Bristol Beacon through its reopening period since 2023, it is particularly rewarding to see the organisation now looking confidently to the future. I know the Board will be in very good hands under Sandeep’s leadership, and these new appointments will add further strength, insight and ambition as Bristol Beacon delivers its new strategy and continues to grow its impact across the city and beyond.”
Incoming Bristol Beacon Chair Sandeep Katwala said: “I echo Jonathan’s warm welcome to a group of new Trustees who each brings a distinctive combination of expertise, experience and perspective, while sharing our deep belief in the power of music and culture to connect people and create opportunities.”
“Alongside our existing Trustees, their collective experience across the music industry, education, young people’s engagement, technology, community and inclusion will strengthen our Board considerably as we continue to develop Bristol Beacon’s role as a leading music organisation in Bristol and nationally.”
Bristol Beacon CEO Simon Wales said: “Three years on from reopening, Bristol Beacon has established itself as an organisation and venue with an ambitious programme, growing audiences and a clear role to play in the life of our city and region. We are now looking ahead through our new five-year strategy, building on the promise of our transformation and setting our sights firmly on what comes next.”
“Mark, Ellen, Nigel and Ellara bring exactly the breadth of experience and perspective we need for this next chapter. Their expertise will strengthen our ability to connect and inspire people with the power of music, and I am really looking forward to working alongside them as we develop Bristol Beacon’s future.”
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