who we are

Our team / Our board

Meet the board

Guiding our vision and governance

The Generator Loughborough CIC was established on 8th June 2015. Its founding members were actively involved in local organisations dedicated to benefiting the residents of Loughborough, Charnwood, and Leicestershire. They shared a particular interest in the former College of Art building at 12 Frederick Street, Loughborough, and a desire to repurpose this significant local building for beneficial community use. The board is composed of volunteer members from commercial and public sectors, selected for their diverse skills and experience to guide the project forward.

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  • Founding Director

    Dr Jill Vincent serves as a Director of The Generator, bringing extensive experience in social policy research and civic leadership to our board. As a former Assistant Director at Loughborough University's Centre for Research in Social Policy and former Mayor of Charnwood, she combines academic insight with deep community understanding. Recently honoured as an Honorary Alderwoman, she has dedicated over three decades to public service and community development. Her ongoing roles as chair of various voluntary sector organisations and continued civic engagement help shape The Generator's community-focused approach.

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  • Founding Director / Chair

    David Pagett-Wright is Chair of The Generator's Board of Directors, bringing over three decades of legal expertise and community leadership to guide our strategic development. A retired Solicitor and former Partner and Practice Manager at Moss Solicitors, where he headed the Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Department, he has played pivotal roles in Loughborough's cultural and business growth. His experience includes chairing the Business Improvement District (Love Loughborough) and working with numerous civic organisations. His governance expertise and deep understanding of the local community help shape The Generator's vision as a transformative cultural space.

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  • Founding Director

    A prominent business leader and former chair of Loughborough's BID, involved in establishing the BID Company and securing funding initiatives.

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  • Company Secretary / Build project lead.

    Jonathan Hale is our Company Secretary, playing a key role in The Generator's development since 2017. A former town planner and manager of Loughborough's Business Improvement District (BID), he has dedicated his career to improving Charnwood's cultural and economic landscape. His extensive experience in urban development and regeneration has been instrumental in shaping local initiatives. At The Generator, he oversees corporate governance and strategic planning, bringing decades of insight into community development to help establish Loughborough's new arts and cultural centre.

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  • Director

    Andy Harper is a Director at The Generator, bringing two decades of creative strategy and technological leadership. A creative technologist who bridges strategic thinking with human-centred design, he has scaled multiple ventures and pioneered emerging technologies in audiovisual and digital arts. He specialises in using innovation to strengthen communities and cultural connections. At The Generator, he leads board-level oversight and digital strategy, combining technological expertise with commitment to community values and cultural accessibility.

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  • Director

    Simon Birchall is our Technical Director, bringing extensive experience from both theatre and engineering sectors. Previously Technical Manager at Derby Theatre, he has overseen production for numerous venues including Buxton Opera House and Derby Theatre, where he specialised in bridging artistic, learning and front of house operations. His unique background combines professional electrical engineering expertise, including managing £45M engineering projects at E.ON UK, with decades of theatrical experience in lighting design, sound engineering, and production management. At The Generator, he leads all technical operations and infrastructure development, ensuring our spaces meet the highest professional standards while supporting artistic innovation.

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  • Director 

    Sylvia Wright is a practicing artist and cultural pioneer with over four decades of transformative contributions to the East Midlands arts scene. As one of the founders and still an active Director of Leicester Print Workshop (est 1983), her visionary leadership continued through roles including Manager of The City Gallery Leicester and spearheading the development of the LCB Depot in 2004. As Head of Culture, Art and Heritage at Loughborough Council, she further shaped the region's cultural landscape.

    Sylvia's enduring impact on the arts extends beyond these cornerstone achievements, reflecting her lifelong commitment to fostering creativity and artistic innovation in the East Midlands.

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who we are

our team