Louise Mitchell to leave Bristol Beacon after 12 years

Bristol Beacon's chief executive, Louise Mitchell, is stepping down. 

Her replacement is yet to be announced, but Mitchell has stated she will be leaving the post this summer. 

Along with Mitchell, Simon Chapman, long-term chair of Bristol Beacon’s board, will be leaving. His role will be replacement by broadcaster and historian Jonathan Dimbleby. 

‘It has been a highlight of my career leading and working with the team at Bristol Music Trust,’ says Mitchell. ‘We have been faced with some incredible hurdles and challenges along the way, but we have also grown an amazing organisation and created hugely impactful artistic, education and outreach programmes that are nationally recognised.’

‘We now start the next chapter of our building’s 155-year history with a glorious new building that ensures our position as one of the best and most accessible venues anywhere in Europe. My successor can come in and lead on the exciting next phase with the brilliant team here.’ 

Mitchell led the way through the venue’s renovations, and also its rebrand to ‘Bristol Beacon’, having previously been called ‘Colston Hall’ after the 18th century merchant and slave trader Edward Colston. This change was put into motion after Bristol residents pulled down Colston’s statue and throwing it into the harbour in 2020. 

The refurbishments were initially estimated to take approximately three years, and had an initial budget of £48 million, but were only completed last year and cost much more than expected.