Introducing Sandeep Katwala as the next Chair of Bristol Beacon

Bristol Beacon has announced that Sandeep Katwala will become the next Chair of the music charity from February 2027, succeeding Jonathan Dimbleby, who steps down after completing a four-year term.

Sandeep Katwala takes on the role at an exciting moment in Bristol Beacon’s journey, following the successful reopening of the transformed venue in 2023 and the launch of the organisation’s ambitious five-year strategy earlier this year.

Sandeep started his professional career in finance and then moved into law. He spent 25 years with Linklaters, a global law firm and travelled extensively. Aside from his client work, where he represented many household names with their global investments, he spent time as part of the firm’s Executive Management Committee and managed the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and India regions.

In more recent years he has held several senior governance roles in the not-for-profit sector including Depaul UK (which supports young homeless people), Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Charity, the Octavia Group and Bail for Immigration Detainees. He joined the board of Bristol Music Trust, the music charity which operates Bristol Beacon and all of its programmes, in May 2024. He lives in Bristol with his wife and is learning (very slowly) to play drums, guitar, kora and keyboard.

Historian, biographer and broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby has chaired Bristol Beacon since 2023, leading the organisation through one of the most significant periods in its history. Following the reopening of the venue after its once-in-a-generation transformation, he has overseen the establishment of a new operating model, helping to ensure the organisation’s financial stability and long-term audience resilience during a period of considerable change across the cultural sector.

During Jonathan’s tenure, Bristol Beacon has continued to re-establish and expand its artistic programme to over 500 gigs and concerts per year, strengthen its education work as the regional music education hub lead organisation, develop its community work including a £1.1m social impact programme, All Together Now, on behalf of the West of England Impact Alliance, and establish new talent and skills development programmes. Jonathan has personally championed the launch of the Orchestral Supporters Circle, with an ambition to secure the future of orchestral music in the city, and earlier this year he also guided the development of Bristol Beacon’s new five-year strategy, setting a clear vision for the organisation through to 2031.

Jonathan will remain Chair until the end of January 2027, with Sandeep assuming the role from February 2027.

Under its new five-year strategy, Bristol Beacon aims to deepen its impact as one of the UK’s leading music organisations, combining a world-class programme of live performance with extensive music education, community participation and talent development work. Building on the momentum created since reopening, the organisation will continue to champion music’s ability to bring people together, inspire creativity and create opportunity for people across Bristol, the West of England and beyond.