Chief executive of charity that runs Bristol Beacon receives honorary degree
See all news![Head and shoulders image of Louise Mitchell wearing a black cap and red graduation ceremony robes](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/louise_mitchell_850x500.jpg?la=en&h=498&w=847&mw=847&hash=0547627101B2993D7C09F1838993646A)
The chief executive of the charity set up to manage Bristol Beacon, the renowned music venue in the city, has been awarded an honorary degree by UWE Bristol.
Louise Mitchell CBE, CEO of Bristol Music Trust, received an Honorary Doctor of Arts degree in recognition of her contribution to national and international cultural leadership and her dedication to voluntary roles.
The University conferred the honour on 16 July, as part of UWE Bristol’s summer series of graduation ceremonies held at Bristol Beacon.
Louise is among nine people being celebrated with honorary degrees at the ceremonies, in recognition of outstanding achievements in their chosen fields and significant contributions to Bristol.
She oversaw the Bristol Beacon’s £132 million transformation, which was the largest arts capital programme in the South West ahead of its opening in November 2023. Bristol Music Trust was set up to manage Bristol Beacon: the music charity, historic venue and award-winning music education hub, and take a regional overview of music promotion.
Louise is Chair of National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain, a member of Arts Council England’s South West Area Council, a trustee of Impact Scotland, the Paraorchestra and a Council member of the Royal Philharmonic Society.
Previously, Louise was the Director of the Glasgow UNESCO City of Music and Glasgow Concert Halls, as well as Concerts Director for the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Assistant Director of the Edinburgh International Festival.
A modern languages graduate, her first professional assignment was as a French interpreter in Provence for a Pipe Band from Hawick in the Scottish borders.
She has lived and worked in Bristol since 2011 when Bristol Music Trust was formed.
Louise said: “I’m deeply honoured to receive this prestigious degree from the University of the West of England. I’m delighted that our work to make great music available to everyone at Bristol Beacon is being recognised.”
Related news
![Professor Sir Steve West (left) with Clare Reddington (right), wearing black caps and red gowns at a graduation ceremony](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/clare-reddington-hon-grad-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=CEB303EE9B7D969CC6424B4DE45FB550)
16 July 2024
Watershed chief executive recognised with honorary doctorate from UWE Bristol
The chief executive of one of Bristol’s leading cultural organisations has been awarded an honorary doctorate.
![Students donning graduation robes and mortarboard hats sit clapping as someone receives their degree](/-/media/uwe/images/news/graduation-2024-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=C4D5DE0F3BD8E0113EA5029863E2BEE8)
15 July 2024
UWE Bristol’s Graduation ceremonies get underway at new venue
UWE Bristol's Graduation ceremonies have started today (Monday 15 July) and nearly 6,000 graduates will cross the stage at the Bristol Beacon over the next fortnight.
![Honorary graduates UWE Bristol Andy Marsh](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/honorary-graduates-andy-marsh-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=067BB65C08FE5A2ADEA48EA3754BD6E1)
31 July 2023
UWE Bristol awards seven recipients with honorary degrees
Seven people have been presented with honorary degrees during UWE Bristol’s summer graduation ceremonies at Bristol Cathedral.
![Louise Mitchell and Steve West](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/beacon-steve-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=AE786D28C6DE1F658F9E08145FF75823)
09 May 2023
UWE Bristol and Bristol Beacon announce new partnership
UWE Bristol and Bristol Beacon are pleased to announce a partnership today, Bristol Beacon will be the new venue for UWE Bristol’s graduation ceremonies.
![Professor Steve West, Katherine Bennett CBE and Professor Elena Marco in graduation gowns.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/bennett-raffle-richards-honorary-degree-2023-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=7B10C810E76E8511B4113612DDA8C955)
29 November 2022
UWE Bristol Honorary Graduates 2022
Announcing four recipients of Honorary Degrees awarded at Bristol Cathedral in November 2022.
![A portrait of one of UWE Bristol Honorary Graduates - Tracy Daszkiewicz](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/news-honorary-graduates-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6B5EE724B71DADE383431B0E4039F135)
02 August 2022
UWE Bristol Honorary Graduates
UWE Bristol is delighted to award eleven recipients with Honorary Degrees this year (2022), recognised for outstanding achievements in their chosen fields.
![UWE Bristol Honorary Graduates announced](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/uwe-bristol-honorary-graduates-announced-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=58E620DFAFD9462F978DBED7429097AA)
19 July 2019
UWE Bristol Honorary Graduates announced – week 1
UWE Bristol is delighted to announce the recipients of Honorary Degrees for the graduation ceremonies week commencing 15 July 2019.
You may also be interested in
![Media enquiries](/-/media/uwe/images/news/media-enquiries-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DEC2ADF76427D486E3F096155E2569C0)
Media enquiries
Enquiries related to news releases and press and contacts for the media team.
![Lecturer with students](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-experts-findanexpert-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=F991F840D7340AF990327391B1A7F10E)
Find an expert
Media contacts are invited to check out the vast range of subjects where UWE Bristol can offer up expert commentary.