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 two thirds through an engineering degree with the Open University. She co-founded the university’s Women in Engineering society (WESOUSS). She won a faculty 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.
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.
Jo Breeze
Jo Breeze joined the Brunel Museum in November 2024 as the Fundraising & Advocacy Manager. She has been working since 2013 as a freelance crowdfunding consultant, helping to run fundraising campaigns across the arts, cultural, and heritage sectors – including working with the Brunel Museum on their successful crowdfunding campaign in 2022. Jo also has over a decade of marketing and communications experience, and has worked with organisations including the National Gallery, the National Theatre, and the IWM.