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 team at the Brunel Museum in November 2021 as an Event Coordinator. She is overlooking all Events and Weddings taking place at the Museum, as well as working on expanding engagement with local creative businesses to build a regular cultural/social events. Alicja holds two degrees in Design and Interiors, has over 10 years of creative experience in Fashion Design industry and events, while working on her own Sustainable Jewellery brand called 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.
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.