New chair of Bristol Beacon named as Jonathan Dimbleby steps down

The broadcaster will leave the organisation behind the Bristol concert hall at the end of January

Bristol Beacon, the music charity and concert hall, has named its new chair. Sandeep Katwala will take up the role in February next year, succeeding television presenter and broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, who steps down after completing a four-year term.

Mr Katawala, who lives in Bristol, has a background in finance and law, having spent 25 years with Linklaters, a global law firm. He has also held several senior governance roles in the not-for-profit sector including at Depaul UK, which supports young homeless people; Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Charity; London-based housing association 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.

“We are at an exciting stage in the evolution of Bristol Beacon, both in terms of the venue and the wider work we do in the community,” said Mr Katawala. “It is a difficult environment for music venues and charities more generally but I know from my time on the board that we have a fantastic team who can meet these challenges.

“Jonathan has ensured the creation of a very solid foundation since the reopening of the Beacon and will be a very hard act to follow, but I will do my best to play my part in supporting the team as it delivers on our ambitious new strategy. I am passionate about the importance of music in the wider community and the need to support music education for all.”

Mr Dimbleby has chaired Bristol Beacon since 2023, leading the organisation through its reopening following a multimillion-pound transformation, and the establishment of a new operating model.

“It has been a real privilege to have played a part in the new era of Bristol Beacon,” he said. “I have worked with a brilliant board and an outstanding executive and it could not have been a more rewarding experience. In Sandeep Katwala, my colleagues have chosen the ideal person to lead the Beacon onwards and upwards.

“For my part, I am delighted to be asked to become patron of the Bristol Beacon Orchestral Season in which role I will champion a cause which is at the heart of music making. I look forward to staying closely involved with this great Bristol charity in the years ahead.”

Bristol Beacon runs an artistic programme of more than 500 gigs and concerts a year, alongside education and community work including a £1.1m social impact programme.

Earlier this year, the organisation launched an ambitious five-year strategy, setting a vision through to 2031. Under the proposals, Bristol Beacon said it wanted to “deepen its impact” as one of Britain’s top music charities by combining live performances with music education and talent development work.

Simon Wales, chief executive of Bristol Beacon, added: “Jonathan has provided outstanding leadership during a defining chapter in Bristol Beacon’s history. His wisdom, integrity and unwavering belief in the organisation have helped us navigate the opportunities and challenges of reopening, while building a strong foundation for our future. The staff and board sincerely thank Jonathan for his exceptional service.

“We’re equally delighted to welcome Sandeep as our next chair. His strategic insight, commitment to inclusion and passion for the role culture can play in people’s lives make him an outstanding person to lead our board as we enter the next phase of delivering our vision.”