MVT Announce Three New Appointments

09 May 2024 - Press release

Sophie Brownlee, Kimberley Goddard & Sophie Asquith Join in Key Roles

Music Venue Trust, the charity created to protect, secure and improve Grassroots Music Venues across the UK, has announced two key appointments to its executive team, with Sophie Brownlee joining as External Affairs Manager and Kimberley Goddard taking on the role of Fundraising Manager in a part time capacity.

In addition, Sophie Asquith has been promoted to be the new Venue Support Team Manager, overseeing the work of the UK’s venue coordinators and heading up MVT’s Emergency Response Service.

Sophie Brownlee who has previously worked in several external affairs and policy roles joins MVT from her previous role as Associate Director at Connect Public Affairs, managing political strategy and stakeholder engagement for multiple clients including working with Specsavers, Kellogg's, Newmedica, and The British Science Association. Working closely with MVT CEO Mark Davyd she assumes responsibility for external affairs, advocacy with all layers of government across the four UK nations, and strategy.

Kimberley Goddard will build on MVT’s work to date, leading on individual giving, major donors, legacy and Patrons, supporting Music Industry Relations and Community Fundraising organised by MVT supporters such as benefit live shows and other activities.

Kimberley’s former role was Director of Industry Partnerships at ELAM, where she oversaw contributions in excess of £1m working with clients including Universal Music, UTA, YouTube Music, WME, Mercury Studios, Abbey Road Studios, Creative Assembly, Playstation, Marvel Studios, Puma and many more. She is also Founder and CEO of the organisation Music Guardians, who partner with the music industry to ensure there is a collaborative and strategic approach to the safety of young people aged 16-30 entering and working within music.

Sophie Asquith who joined MVT during the pandemic helping venues in London to access advice and funding, took on a permanent role at the organisation in 2022 when she became a member of the core team sharing England Coordinator duties with Jay Taylor. Following the recent departure of Clara Cullen the Venue Support Team elected Sophie as their preferred new lead. Her role will include overseeing MVT’s team of coordinators who provide support to Music Venues Alliance members on a one-to-one basis, develop resources, training and strategies to assist members to run their venues, and work closely with stakeholders including local authorities and MVT’s ‘Gurus’ (specialists in professions such as licensing, planning, acoustics, finance and legal matters).

Beverly Whitrick, COO of Music Venue Trust said, “These new appointments will bring real experience and energy to Music Venue Trust. It is vital that, at a time when the challenges facing the grassroots music sector continue to mount, we can offer support, expertise and guidance to the venues we work with. We are proud, therefore, to be able to attract the calibre of these new team members to allow us to do continue doing that.”