Brenda Emmanus, OBE
Brenda Emmanus, OBE
Television/Radio Broadcaster & Journalist
Moderator
Topic: How to Leave with Grace and Not Fear
Brenda has had a consistent and varied career as a Broadcaster and Journalist working across print, radio, and television. Commencing her journey in print, she went on to build her experience and reputation in television and radio broadcasting across a broad range of genres – from arts and entertainment, travel reporting, consumer broadcasting, current affairs, popular factual programmes, and fashion.
Her profile increased as one of the main presenters on the BBC’s flagship fashion and style programme, ‘The Clothes Show,’ following several years at independent production company Mentorn Films, working on arts and entertainment programmes for Channel 4.
Brenda also presented Sky’s consumer output – ‘Money Matters’ and ‘Healthy Holidays.’ Such broad experience led to numerous opportunities, including presenting live events and extending her broadcasting range across more television networks. She became a regular face on ITV’s ‘This Morning,’ with regular radio appearances including BBC Radio 2’s ‘The Early Show’ and entertainment slots on Choice FM.
Brenda has since established herself as a highly respected Arts, Culture and Entertainment Correspondent, working predominately for the BBC. She has reported on the nation’s arts and cultural scene for BBC London, Network and World news.
Brenda has also presented a broad range of documentaries, including: ‘Designing a Princess – exploring Princess Diana and her influence on fashion; co-presenting ‘Tate: Switched On’ with Andrew Marr following the transformation of Tate Modern; and ‘Who Ever Heard of a Black Artist?’ – an exploration of the history of Black British artists and their role in British art history. She has regularly co-hosted the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition programme with Kirsty Wark, presented a documentary on the renowned artist Sir Frank Bowling, and spent a year documenting artist Sir Steve McQueen as he developed his Year 3 project for Tate Britain.
Brenda’s calling card is her versatility. Having spent a significant part of her career covering Art, Entertainment and Culture she is equally at home with A-list celebrities and high -profile individuals as she is with the public. Brenda has therefore been called upon to present both formal awards ceremonies and charity events as well as facilitate panel discussions, workshops, and retreats.
She has worked for a range of corporate organisations and institutions, including the Royal Bank of Scotland, Ernst and Young, Deutsche Bank, the National Theatre, Frieze Art Fair, The Art Fund, Sadlers Wells, The London Mayor’s Office, The Folio Society, The Southbank Centre and PWC.
She has hosted an eclectic mix of shows and events from the Powerlist Excellence Awards, The Screen Nation Film and Television Awards, The Black British Business Awards, and several events for the Mayor of London’s office.
In addition to the arts, Brenda has a passion for supporting women. She has co-facilitated The One Retreat – a bi-annual support event for women in business; presented an Empowerment Evening for women with PR guru Lynne Franks, The Women of the World Festival, and was invited to facilitate workshops and mentor young women at the United Nations, Commission for the Status of Women event in New York.
Brenda is also a keen supporter of several charities, including the Jack Petchey Foundation, the Adoption Services, Mind, The Stroke Association, the ACLT and the Stephen Lawrence Trust. She has a keen personal interest in the self-development and popular psychology space.
Throughout her career, she has constantly mentored young people aspiring to a career in the media or business and has been a committed diversity and inclusion champion. Her hobbies include travel, food, arts and culture and personal development.
