Our new Head of Fundraising and Events: Sophie Henstridge-Brown

The Cathedral has appointed Sophie Henstridge-Brown to the post of Head of Fundraising and Events. She will begin working with us on Tuesday 18th February 2020. Sophie comes to the Cathedral from the Royal Opera House, and is an active member of Southwark Cathedral. The Dean said, “I am delighted that Sophie is joining the Cathedral team, bringing just the skills and background we need at this point in our history. Her track record is second to none, and Sophie will help us continue to build a flourishing and financially sustainable Cathedral”.

Below Sophie introduces herself in her own words:

“I am really delighted to be joining the Portsmouth Cathedral community as Head of Fundraising and Events. During my recent visits to Portsmouth I have been struck by the beauty of the Cathedral, the warmth of the welcome and the importance of this sacred space for the local community and the city as a whole.

In my professional life I have been a fundraiser for over ten years, most recently at the Royal Opera House where I work to enable projects that engage disadvantaged communities, offer artist development and craft apprenticeships and open up the building to make it more welcoming and accessible for all, all alongside fundraising for the ballet and opera productions. I have a deep love of cathedrals; I have been part of the Southwark Cathedral community for many years where I volunteer in several ministries and am a singer with the Merbecke Choir.

I am excited to bring all these experiences to the Cathedral and work with you all to enable it to thrive now and in the years to come. I also hope to assuage a rather shameful moment in my family history – one of my ancestors was a signatory on Charles I’s death warrant – by ensuring that his son’s marriage certificate and other Cathedral treasures are preserved and valued for future generations”.