A self-confessed ‘people person’ Brenda relishes any opportunity to connect with creative and inspiring individuals, for recorded broadcasts, live events or just socially.
Brenda has had a long and consistent career on national television. She is equally at home interviewing world-renowned celebrities as she is with the general public.
Her warm and versatile style has seen her switch comfortably between genres and broadcasters – from lifestyle, fashion, interior design and the arts for the BBC’s local, national and worldwide platforms; to consumer and magazine shows featured on Sky, Channel 4 and ITV.
Brenda’s list of interviewees has included some of the biggest celebrity names – Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John, Will Smith, Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Robert Redford and Clint Eastwood to name a few.
As a well-respected arts and culture broadcaster those celebrated in the field like David Hockney, Sir Frank Bowling, the late Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse, Jean Paul Gaultier, Edward Enninful and Sir Steve McQueen have been amongst her subjects for television features and programmes.
Brenda also has extensive radio experience. She is constantly in demand to host or facilitate events for corporate clients and cultural institutions.
‘Brenda’s comments on culture and insights on the artists that create it have informed audiences and artists alike. The key to her longevity is her warmth and intelligence. The key to her on-screen success is her sincerity. ‘
Kwame Kwei Armah – Artistic Director, The Young Vic
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Brenda’s documentary experience is extensive and includes the highly regarded ‘Charles I: Treasures Reunited,’ (BBC2) ‘New Tate Modern: Switched On’ co-presented with Andrew Marr (BBC2), ‘The Brits Who Designed the Modern World’ (BBC Four), ‘Diana: Designing a Princess’ (BBC2) and ‘Who Ever Heard of a Black Artist?’ (BBC Four). These and many of her other features have also been transmitted on BBC World – reaching audiences of over 200 million worldwide.
Brenda’s radio experience has seen her present ‘The Early Show’ for Radio 2 and ‘Megamix’ for the BBC World Service, as well as freelance contributions to BBC Radio 4, 5 Live and Choice FM. She has also presented the Cultural Frontline for BBC World.
Currently working as an Arts, Culture and Entertainment Correspondent most recently across BBC London and BBC Network news, Brenda also presents the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Specials with Kirsty Wark, as well as hosting a broad range of screenings and promotional events for BBC publicity teams and Channel Executives.
Outside of broadcasting organisations, Brenda’s popularity as a presenter has also seen her in much demand as a host for live shows and events – working for the likes of Ernst and Young, The National Theatre, The British Film Institute, The WOW (Women of the World) Festival, The Art Fund, Frieze Art Fair, The Powerlist and Sadlers Wells Theatre to name a few.
The hard work has certainly paid off – Brenda was awarded an OBE for services to Broadcasting and Diversity in 2019, and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Arts in 2020. She has also received a Community Honours Award at the House of Lords, a Baton Award for mentoring and inspiring other media professionals and a Legacy Community Award.
A keen supporter of the Arts, she is Chair of the Board of Trustees for Sir Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Dance Company; a founding member of the Creative Industries Alliance, Patron of The Black Women’s Network and on the Board of Action for Diversity and Development.
Brenda is also regularly called on to judge a wide range of competitions and prizes – most recently Museum of the Year, The Stroke Association’s Creative Arts Awards, The Visionary Honours Awards and The Jack Petchey Foundation’s Glee and Speak Out competitions.
Her passions include arts and culture, travel, food, working with young people, supporting and empowering women, mentoring and sport. She is also keen on self-development and the popular psychology space.
Get in touch
If you would like to get in touch or have a query, please use the contact form.
For Broadcast bookings:
Nicole Alcee
Nicole@jaw-mgmt.com
Tel: 07932072895
For Corporate and Commercial bookings:
Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne or Karolis Duoba
Kruger Cowne Ltd
Web:krugercowne.com
Tel: +44 207 352 2277
Fax: +44 207 900 6545