Katherine McAlpine
Katherine McAlpine has been Director of the Brunel Museum since January 2021. She leads the small team to deliver the Museum’s mission to share the Brunel’s London story in Rotherhithe and beyond. In August 2021, the Museum launched its Sustainability Plan. She has over ten years experience with a specialism in learning and audience development. She has previously held roles at Imperial War Museums, Royal Museums Greenwich and the Royal Institution.
Sarah Kuklewicz
Sarah Kuklewicz has an MA in Classical Studies, and spent over a decade working in finance and administration before deciding to re-train as an engineer. She is now Finance Manager for the Brunel Museum and over half way through a combined MEng with the Open University (due to graduate in 2025). She co-founded the university’s Women in Engineering society (WESOUSS) and recently won an award for “serving the STEM student community”. For Sarah, working at the Brunel Museum means indulging in and sharing her overlapping enthusiasms for engineering, history, and education.
Alicja Sobczak
Alicja Sobczak joined the Brunel Museum team in November 2021 and now serves as the Events Producer. Overseeing all events and weddings at the Museum, Alicja is dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences while also building partnerships with local creative businesses to foster a dynamic program of cultural and social events. With two degrees in Design and Interiors, Alicja brings over 10 years of creative experience in the fashion and events industry, alongside her work on her own sustainable jewellery brand, Luminarium.
Gabriella Codastefano
Gabriella Codastefano joined the Brunel Museum as Operations Coordinator in November 2021. She is now the Learning & Engagement Producer. Born in Italy, she has a BA in Fashion and Cultural Studies and a Master’s Degree in Photography. She has over 8 years of experience in running cultural events and kids workshops for the Rotherhithe community, previously working as Creative Director at Bizzie Bodies CIC and collaborating with local businesses and institutions. She’s also director at Phocus Collective Ltd, a London-based photography company.
Letizia Spadea
Letizia Spadea joined the Brunel Museum as a Operations Coordinator in April 2022. She holds a BA in Archaeology and a Master’s Degree in Visual Cultures and Curatorial Practices. She has always been passionate about history and art, and this passion drove her to explore the different key players in these fields. She has over 5 years of experience in art galleries and museums, working as a Gallery Assistant and Museum Assistant in Paris, Milan, and London. She also works as a Freelancer Artist Liaison, Social Media and Marketing Manager.
Emily Boldry
Emily recently joined the Brunel Museum as a Community Curator where she is leading on a variety of community focussed co-production projects that will contribute to the museum’s new permanent gallery opening in Summer 2024. She has a background in youth and community work that heavily informs her curatorial practice.
Julian Ayre
Julian Ayre was involved with developing the Brunel Museum Reinvented Project in 2020-22 as Heritage Manager and is now back with the Brunel as Project Manager. He was an archaeologist in London for 16 years excavating all over London including Rotherhithe before starting in heritage project management. He has over 20 years of project management experience in the historic building and museum sector, initially at Museum of London where he was Head of Capital Projects, and in the past 10 years working with numerous small and volunteer-led cultural organisations helping them develop and deliver Lottery-funded heritage building projects.
Jack Hayes
Jack joined the Brunel Museum as Collections Access Coordinator in March 2024, having previously been a Collections Volunteer since November 2023 . He leads on collections management, research, and care, and is responsible for our dedicated volunteer team. Alongside this role, Jack holds a Fellowship of the Institute of Historical Research. He has a BA and an MSt in Modern Languages, a PhD in Early Modern Studies, and is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
