Work

Over the past 10 years, the V&A has transformed into a family of six museums - one of the largest transformations of any cultural group in the world. Sophie Brendel was at the nexus of the V&A’s strategy throughout this time, leading the largest di

Over the past 10 years, the V&A has transformed into a family of six museums - one of the largest transformations of any cultural group in the world. Sophie Brendel was at the nexus of the V&A’s strategy throughout this time, leading the largest division at the V&A - Audiences, Commercial & Digital - until summer 2024. Brand, audience and commercial impact sit at the heart of the V&A's mission, vision and objectives, as a purpose-led organisation to be the home of creativity for all. During her time, she launched four major new museums and transformative projects: the V&A’s Exhibition Road Quarter in 2017; the V&A Gallery at Design Society in Shenzhen, China in 2018; V&A Dundee in 2019; and Young V&A in 2023. Each opened with widespread coverage, record audiences and international acclaim.

One of the leading global theatre companies, the Royal Shakespeare Company found itself at an exciting moment of change in 2024, with a new leadership team, and ambitious plans for the future. Sophie Brendel Consulting worked with the RSC’s leaders

One of the leading global theatre companies, the Royal Shakespeare Company found itself at an exciting moment of change in 2024, with a new leadership team, and ambitious plans for the future. Sophie Brendel Consulting worked with the RSC’s leadership over a six month period to define, shape and deliver a transformational and organisation-wide 5-year strategic plan, alongside supporting objectives, business planning and a comprehensive approach to roll out across the organisation. With a new vision to inspire deeper human understanding through the power of theatre, and a mission to redefine how Shakespeare and great storytelling can connect us all, create opportunities and bring joy, the RSC is effectively poised to innovate and evolve over the coming years.

Somerset House celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025, unveiling a new brand strategy and narrative to underpin its status as the Home of Cultural Innovators. Sophie Brendel Consulting led a piece of formative audience work and research to help shap

Somerset House celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025, unveiling a new brand strategy and narrative to underpin its status as the Home of Cultural Innovators. Sophie Brendel Consulting led a piece of formative audience work and research to help shape a new Audiences & Membership proposition. In addition, SBC undertook a comprehensive market evaluation to explore trends and opportunities around digital and traditional Membership models. Spanning sectors ranging from culture and heritage to sport, football and music fandoms, the work examined audience need, benefits, content drivers and the latest innovation, to define what drives the most effective communities, enhances value and encourages participation. These insights will shape Somerset House’s future approach as it develops a new Membership offer to bring together creatives, innovators and the public.

The Fashion Museum is an ambitious new project that will create the UK’s first museum dedicated to fashion, opening in 2030 in Bath. Sophie Brendel Consulting worked closely with the Fashion Museum teams to develop an ambitious 5-year strategic fram

The Fashion Museum is an ambitious new project that will create the UK’s first museum dedicated to fashion, opening in 2030 in Bath. Sophie Brendel Consulting worked closely with the Fashion Museum teams to develop an ambitious 5-year strategic framework, vision, mission, values and plans. This new strategy is anchored in a vision to champion fashion’s transformative power as a global industry and expression of creativity, culture and identity, and a mission to craft a groundbreaking museum that brings fashion to life for local and global audiences, reshaping Bath for the future. SBCis also supporting the Fashion Museum to shape their ongoing digital ambitions, and to define further opportunities for transformation over the coming years.

The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will be the world's largest space dedicated to illustration, transforming an 18th century waterworks in Clerkenwell into its brand new home. Quentin Blake's archive & collections will be showcased alongside

The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will be the world's largest space dedicated to illustration, transforming an 18th century waterworks in Clerkenwell into its brand new home. Quentin Blake's archive & collections will be showcased alongside a range of new exhibitions, a free library, learning spaces and art highlighting stories about the site's 400-year history. Sophie Brendel advises the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration on their brand, audience, comms, marketing and digital strategy, supporting their major capital project as they build the UK's first museum and centre dedicated to Illustration. Opening May 2026

Led the V&A's comms, brand, audience, positioning, digital and social media strategy and planning for V&A East, to pave the way to launch in 2025, with a new brand identity, ambitious audience strategy, and core focus on Gen Z - helping museums to th

Led the V&A's comms, brand, audience, positioning, digital and social media strategy and planning for V&A East, to pave the way to launch in 2025, with a new brand identity, ambitious audience strategy, and core focus on Gen Z - helping museums to think more like youth brands

"Somerset's coolest new farmstead with a private vineyard attached.... giving Champagne a run for its money." Sunday Times Thornfalcon Winery & Press is a 40-acre farm and vineyard in a magical corner of Somerset, that creates artfully crafted exper

"Somerset's coolest new farmstead with a private vineyard attached.... giving Champagne a run for its money." Sunday Times Thornfalcon Winery & Press is a 40-acre farm and vineyard in a magical corner of Somerset, that creates artfully crafted experiences and escapes, and naturally inventive, vibrant flavours, pressed fresh from the land, by hand. Sophie Brendel developed the strategy, 10-year business plan and brand from inception, and is overseeing the launch and evolution of this new business and wildlife conservation hub. Coverage for the first phase of launch in 2025 included the FT, Sunday Times, Guardian, Conde Nast Traveller, Country Life and Somerset Life.

Reinvented the V&A's Brand, Comms, Audience, Marketing, Digital and Visitor Experience strategies over a seven year period, with record visitor numbers, global coverage, soaring audience engagement and wide-spread recognition. A core focus of the aud

Reinvented the V&A's Brand, Comms, Audience, Marketing, Digital and Visitor Experience strategies over a seven year period, with record visitor numbers, global coverage, soaring audience engagement and wide-spread recognition. A core focus of the audience strategy was reaching new audiences, with a focus on Gen Alpha, Gen Z, the creative industries and increasing diversity.

Developed and launched Young V&A - the V&A's museum to spark creativity in 0-14 year olds. Young V&A launched in summer 2023 to international acclaim, winning Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2024. With a core focus on Gen Alpha, the V&A also developed

Developed and launched Young V&A - the V&A's museum to spark creativity in 0-14 year olds. Young V&A launched in summer 2023 to international acclaim, winning Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2024. With a core focus on Gen Alpha, the V&A also developed an innovative new digital service - mused - to bring 10-14 yr olds to the V&A, online.

Led media and broadcast partnerships for clients with major organisations, to broaden reach, build brand and drive engagement

Led media and broadcast partnerships for clients with major organisations, to broaden reach, build brand and drive engagement

Working alongside the teams in Dundee, launched V&A Dundee in 2019- the V&A's first museum outside London, and now Scotland's Design Museum, with national status. In its first five years, V&A Dundee contributed 1,685 jobs to Scotland and 450 in Dunde

Working alongside the teams in Dundee, launched V&A Dundee in 2019- the V&A's first museum outside London, and now Scotland's Design Museum, with national status. In its first five years, V&A Dundee contributed 1,685 jobs to Scotland and 450 in Dundee, with an economic impact of £304m for Scotland, and £109m for Dundee - a testament to the transforming power of culture.

Spearheaded the launch of the V&A's Exhibition Road Quarter in 2017 - the largest evolution of the iconic South Kensington museum in 100 years. The opening REVEAL festival brought 100,000 people to the V&A in its first week, and led to a change in de

Spearheaded the launch of the V&A's Exhibition Road Quarter in 2017 - the largest evolution of the iconic South Kensington museum in 100 years. The opening REVEAL festival brought 100,000 people to the V&A in its first week, and led to a change in demographics with more new and returning visitors than ever before.