Sophie Brendel is Director of Audiences, Commercial and Digital at the V&A. She is responsible for building the V&A's reach, brand and commercial income, and placing the visitor at the heart of the V&A.

Prior to joining the V&A, Sophie worked in a number of senior roles at the BBC and Thomson Reuters in the UK and USA. As Head of Digital Communications at the BBC, she led PR and communications for digital, technology and innovation across the BBC, as well as the BBC’s corporate websites, blogs and social media activity. Highlights included the BBC’s 2015 Make it Digital and micro:bit initiatives, BBC iPlayer, and the London 2012 Olympics.

Sophie has an MA in English Literature from Edinburgh University, and sits on a number of boards – including the cross-industry London Tourism Recovery Board, established during pandemic, and the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair. She is also a regular industry speaker and awards judge.