Four new trustees bring music and youth expertise to Bristol Beacon: key details

UK News Desk 2026-10-14 11:37 2 min read

Four people stand in front of rows of empty patterned theater seats inside auditorium.

Bristol Beacon has appointed four trustees with experience in music, creative learning, youth engagement, technology and inclusion. Mark Bowers, Ellen Havard, Nigel Ipinson-Fleming and Ellara Wakely will join the board from November 2026, adding expertise relevant to the organisation’s artistic programme, learning work and community engagement.

Four routes into music and creative learning

Bowers has worked in live promotion, artist management and talent development during almost 20 years in the music industry. After seven years as a national promoter at Metropolis Music, he moved into artist development and now leads Creative Futures for BIMM Institute across the UK and Europe. Based in Bristol, he works to connect education, the music industry and the city’s creative sector.

Four new trustees bring music and youth expertise to Bristol Beacon: key details

Havard, a Bristol-born theatre director and creative facilitator, has spent more than 15 years creating arts opportunities for children and young people. Her work has included the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Travelling Light and the egg in Bath. She is now Head of Young People’s Programme at Knowle West Media Centre, where she leads work focused on creativity, inclusion and youth voice in South Bristol.

Industry, technology and public engagement

Ipinson-Fleming performed as a keyboardist with OMD and The Stone Roses before founding the creative and digital agencies Bildabiz and UKC. He is also a Deputy Lieutenant for the City and County of Bristol, and has spoken about music education as a route to confidence and opportunity for young people.

Wakely is Head of Schools Engagement at the National Theatre. Her previous roles include leading learning and public engagement programmes for the National Theatre, BBC Proms and BBC Orchestras and Choirs, as well as working as a commissioning executive for BBC Radio 3 and a senior change manager for BBC Children in Need.

Trustees begin in November ahead of chair transition

The appointments follow the earlier announcement that Sandeep Katwala will become Bristol Beacon’s chair in January 2027, succeeding Jonathan Dimbleby after his four-year term. Dimbleby said the new trustees would join as the organisation looks ahead after reopening in 2023 and develops its new five-year strategy.

Source: Bristol Beacon News

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The appointments, start date and chair transition are drawn from Bristol Beacon’s published announcement.

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Checked the four trustees’ names and stated experience against the supplied announcement.
Checked the November 2026 start date and January 2027 chair transition.
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