United Kingdom
I'm a strategist, MD and Board advisor who thrives on leading transformational change for organisations ranging from the V&A to the BBC. I founded Sophie Brendel Consulting in autumn 2024, a strategic consultancy for arts, culture, heritage and media. We help positive impact brands and organisations define what they stand for, who they are for, and how to leave a lasting impact, by developing ambitious strategies that build profile, welcome new audiences, grow income and drive digital transformation. Organisations we work with include the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Trust, the Smithsonian Institution, Somerset House, RADA, Guildhall, the Fashion Museum (coming in 2030), Roman Baths, British American Project, the V&A and BBC. I like to think that we act as your strategist, think partner and on-call CMO, to help you transform your focus and achieve sustainable growth. I am also the Managing Director of Thornfalcon Winery & Press, a new 40-acre farm, vineyard, hospitality experience and film location in a magical corner of Somerset. We create artfully crafted experiences and escapes, and naturally inventive, vibrant flavours, pressed fresh from the land, by hand. Prior to these two new businesses, I was the Director of Audiences, Commercial & Digital at the V&A- the family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity. This leadership role was at the nexus of the V&A’s strategy, responsible for leading the V&A’s ambitious brand, audience, digital and commercial transformation over a seven year period - during which the V&A hit record visitor numbers, weathered the pandemic, and rapidly transformed into a museum group with six museums each designed for dedicated audiences.
Sophie Brendel Consulting is a strategic consultancy for arts, culture, media and heritage. We help positive impact brands and organisations define what they stand for, who they are for, and how to leave a lasting impact, by developing ambitious strategies that build profile, welcome new audiences, grow income and drive digital transformation. Rooted in creativity, curiosity, collaboration and integrity, Sophie Brendel & collaborators bring deep-rooted and proven expertise to act as your strategic think partners, on-call CMO, and help you to transform your focus and achieve sustainable growth. Clients include the National Trust, Royal Shakespeare Company, Smithsonian, RADA, Guildhall, Somerset House, BBC, V&A, the Fashion Museum, Roman Baths and the British American Project. Founder Sophie Brendel is a leading strategist who specialises in transformational change, with an expert network to draw on. Sophie specialises in helping the companies she works with define their purpose, narrative, brand, audience, digital and commercial strategies, and to launch high profile initiatives. Most recently as Director of Audiences, Commercial & Digital at the V&A – the family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity - Sophie transformed the V&A’s approach over a seven year period, working at the nexus of organisational strategy as the V&A hit record visitor numbers, weathered the pandemic, and rapidly transformed into a museum group with six museums each designed for dedicated audiences.
Thornfalcon Winery & Press is a 40-acre farm and vineyard in a magical corner of Somerset. We create artfully crafted experiences and escapes, and naturally inventive, vibrant flavours, pressed fresh from the land, by hand. As MD, I oversee the development and growth of the business across all areas - from overseeing building work and farm conversion and diversification, to hospitality and accommodation, events, experiences, sales, marketing and business development.