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. Many will also recognise her as one of the main presenters on the BBC’s flagship fashion and style programme, The Clothes Show, which gained popularity with over 10 million viewers.
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 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, 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.
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.
Brenda is available to be booked for the following roles:-
Presenter on TV and Radio arts and culture programmes
Documentary curator.
Conference & panel host and facilitator
Awards host/presenter
Personal appearances and speaker on a range of topics including the Arts, media, journalism.