• Swindon & Wiltshire Appointments
• Wednesday October 21 2026

Bristol Beacon appoints four new trustees to strengthen its board

Renowned music venue Bristol Beacon has appointed four new trustees, bringing expertise in music, education, youth engagement, technology and inclusion to the board of one of the city’s leading cultural organisations.

Mark Bowers, Ellen Havard, Nigel Ipinson-Fleming and Ellara Wakely will join the board from November 2026 as the venue builds on its post-reopening growth and prepares to deliver its new five-year strategy.

The appointments are intended to support Bristol Beacon’s ambitions across its artistic programme, music learning, talent development, audience growth and community engagement.

Mark Bowers has almost 20 years’ experience in the music industry, spanning live promotion, artist management, talent development and higher education. He spent seven years as a national promoter at Metropolis Music and now leads Creative Futures for BIMM Institute across the UK and Europe.

Bristol-born Ellen Havard is a creative leader, youth specialist and theatre director with more than 15 years’ experience creating opportunities for children and young people. She has worked with the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic and is now head of young people’s programme at Knowle West Media Centre.

Nigel Ipinson-Fleming performed as a keyboardist with OMD and The Stone Roses before becoming a technology entrepreneur and founder.

His agencies, Bildabiz and UKC, provide creative, digital and strategic services to organisations worldwide. He is also a Deputy Lieutenant for Bristol.

Ellara Wakely is head of schools engagement at the National Theatre and a senior leader in learning, public engagement, change management and equity, diversity and inclusion. She has led programmes for the National Theatre, BBC Proms and BBC Orchestras and Choirs.

The appointments follow the announcement earlier this year that Sandeep Katwala will succeed Jonathan Dimbleby as chair in January 2027, after he completes a four-year term.

Jonathan 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.”

Sandeep said the new trustees each bring “a distinctive combination of expertise, experience and perspective”, adding that their backgrounds would strengthen the board as Bristol Beacon develops its role nationally as well as in the city.

Chief executive 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.

“Mark, Ellen, Nigel and Ellara bring exactly the breadth of experience and perspective we need for this next chapter.”