Bristol Beacon Chief Executive receives honorary degree for cultural leadership and voluntary arts roles

This week our Chief Executive, Louise Mitchell CBE was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts degree from University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) in recognition of her extensive contribution to national and international cultural leadership and her unending dedication to voluntary roles.

Having lived and worked in Bristol since 2011, this award acknowledges Louise’s hard work and dedication at the helm of Bristol Music Trust, the music charity that runs our venue, a role that she steps down from this summer after 13 years – which included guiding us through a five-year, once-in-a-generation transformation, a global pandemic and our name change.

Previously, Louise was the Director of the Glasgow UNESCO City of Music and Glasgow Concert Halls, as well as Concerts Director for the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Assistant Director of the Edinburgh International Festival.

In addition to her distinguished leadership positions, Louise also generously spends much of her spare time in voluntary roles as Chair of National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, a member of Arts Council England’s South West Area Council, a trustee of Impact Scotland, the Paraorchestra and a Council member of the Royal Philharmonic Society.

After receiving the honorary degree at a ceremony that took place at Beacon Hall on Tue 16 Jul, Louise used the opportunity to address her fellow graduates and colleagues, as well as the future generations of Bristol: