who we are
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who we are 〰️
Jess Vollar Bell
Chief Operating Officer
Jess Vollar Bell is our Chief Executive Officer, bringing extensive experience from theatre and live performance spaces to The Generator's transformation. With a background spanning traditional theatre management, avant-garde production, and LGBTQIA+ cultural venues, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive growth while fostering inclusive environments. Previously, as Venue Manager at Tower Theatre London, she oversaw 18 annual productions while significantly increasing revenue through strategic development. At The Generator, she leads our strategic vision, combining operational excellence with inclusive programming to create this dynamic new arts and cultural centre.
Pasha Kincaid
Community Engagement Coordinator
Pasha Kincaid is a South African-born, Leicestershire-raised artist whose practice combines autoethnography with participatory installations using various media. Her focus is on accessibility and engagement, particularly with marginalised communities and those with special educational needs. She has curated notable exhibitions including TRACES and the annual "Being Here" showcase at Leicester Gallery. As a Vital Spark Ideas Fund Artist, she creates innovative performances for children from diverse educational backgrounds. Pasha holds a first-class BA in Fine Art from De Montfort University and is pursuing her MA. Outside of art, she enjoys gallery visits, walks at Beacon Hill, and time with her three adult children.
David Pagett-Wright
Chairman
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 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.
Jonathan Hale
Company Secretary
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 business support has been instrumental in shaping local initiatives. At The Generator, he oversees corporate governance and has project managed the space, bringing decades of insight into community development to help establish Loughborough's new arts and cultural centre.
Dr Jill Vincent
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 Charnwood's first 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.
Simon Birchall
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. He is also dedicated to community service through extensive volunteer work and has a passion for mentoring the next generation of lighting engineers.
Andy Harper
Director
Andy Harper is a Director and practicing artist working with emergent technology. His background spans two decades in cultural development and creative innovation. His career includes founding a number of successful ventures: Whoartnow, a pioneering digital art platform; Joysofchildhood, a London arts organisation; Graff.io Arts, a creative technology studio; and Gallery Without Walls, a distributed exhibition platform. At The Generator, he leads our tech and digital strategy, merging artistic vision with technological and business acumen. His artistic practice explores the dialogue between technology and the natural world, with UK exhibitions spanning from Loughborough to London and projects produced across Germany and the Czech Republic. This cross-disciplinary approach helps to shape The Generator's innovative integration of digital frameworks within contemporary arts and culture.
Sylvia Wright
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.
Roger Perrett
Director
Roger Perrett is a prominent business leader who chaired the town's Business Improvement District (BID) for two years. His accomplishments include establishing the BID Company representing nearly 600 local businesses, securing Loughborough's selection as a Portas Pilot Town, and attracting almost £500,000 in match funding. Roger championed the Market Place pedestrianisation and developed the Generator project in the former Art College building. He chaired the Love Loughborough Partnership and represented the BID on the Town Team and Charnwood Together. After stepping down as chair in 2014, he continued serving on the BID Board, contributing to Loughborough's business environment and economic development.
Kev Ryan
Founder
Kevin Ryan, Founder of Charnwood Arts and The Generator Loughborough CIC passed away in 2020. A gifted photographer and community arts advocate, Kevin led Charnwood Arts for 29 years after graduating in 1984, organising key events like Picnic in the Park and Mela.
Kevin was the spark that ignited the Generator project, persistently campaigning to secure the former art school building as a new home for Charnwood Arts. His vision and determination drove this initiative to create a more visible creative space for the community.
He is survived by his wife Frances, four children, and four grandchildren.
