'Phenomenal Women' with Louise Mitchell

Inspired by the poem written by Maya Angelou, ‘Phenomenal Woman’ the Gainsborough Hotel launched a series in 2018 inviting women from all backgrounds who have achieved recognition and made a significant impact in their field to share their experiences and challenges encountered in their path to success.

Our fourth ‘Phenomenal Women’ guest speaker for 2025 is Louise Mitchell a on Thursday 10th of July 2025.

5:45 pm -7:30 pm

Tickets are £15 and include prosecco and canapes.

Louise Mitchell CBE was the founder Chief Executive of Bristol Music Trust, the charity set up to manage Bristol Beacon: the music charity, renowned venue and award-winning music education hub, and take a regional overview of music promotion. Louise oversaw the £132m transformation of Bristol Beacon, the largest arts capital programme in the South West, which opened in November 2023. She is also 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.

The Gainsborough welcomes all to attend and participate. Tickets include Prosecco and canapes and cost £15 each.

Feedback from a previous talk with Belinda Brown in September ‘23.

‘What an absolutely wonderful evening – I feel very privileged to have been part of the conversation with Belinda. It’s so rare to be able to have such an open discussion amongst a close group about the challenges and ambitions we all have. Belinda is indeed a phenomenal woman and I learnt so much and was so inspired so a huge well done for organising.

Kind regards and thank you again – truly inspiring!’

Feedback from Margaret Heffernan talk in April ‘24

• ‘I thought Margaret Heffernan’s talk last night was truly inspirational.'

• 'We certainly need to see and hear from superb female role models.'