sectors

Heritage and charities

Marketing that helps heritage organisations and charities grow audiences and income

Work that reflects my values.

Heritage organisations and charities do work that matters, and I love helping them reach more people, build loyal support and raise the income they need to keep doing it.

Most recently, I developed Gloucester Cathedral’s first marketing, communications and digital transformation strategy, working closely with its development team to grow audiences, deepen engagement and build sustainable income. My years in higher education have also given me deep experience of development, alumni and supporter relationships.

25+

Years in marketing across industries

HAVAS HEIST awards for
marketing innovation

CIM

Chartered Institute
of Marketing qualified

Fundraising and income generation

Reputation and marketing that help you raise more

I understand what development and fundraising teams need: a strong reputation, a clear case for support and communications that move people from interest to lasting commitment.

Often, the biggest opportunity is already through the door. People who visit, attend or follow you are already engaged, so turning more of them into regular supporters can deliver faster returns than chasing new audiences first. I build joined-up journeys – on site, online and through automated email – that take people from first visit to event attendee, advocate and donor.

Fundraising · Income generation · Supporter journeys · CRM and marketing automation · Brand and reputation

Featured work

Gloucester Cathedral: wonder that sustains the future

Nearly 1,000 years of history, world-class architecture and exceptional music draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to Gloucester Cathedral every year. But awareness, engagement and income were falling, and marketing had never had strategic or digital investment. I developed the Cathedral’s first marketing, communications and digital transformation strategy.

What 10,000+ visitor reviews, surveys and staff conversations revealed

The biggest opportunity was already through the doorTurning engaged visitors into supporters would deliver faster returns than chasing new audiences first.

More than a buildingThe Cathedral’s real distinction is its impact on people’s lives: belonging, hope, inspiration and personal growth.

Digital at the heartThe website, data and social media were holding back audience growth and fundraising.

What the strategy delivered

Seven priority audiences, from spiritual seekers and heritage visitors to families, business partners and donors
A new brand proposition – an unexpected wonder for spiritual discovery – with guidelines, toolkits and workshops to embed it
Storytelling campaigns across five themes, aligned with fundraising priorities
A roadmap for a new website, a single CRM and automated journeys from visitor to event attendee, advocate and donor
On-site ‘What’s next?’ and ‘Support us’ messaging throughout the visitor journey
SMART objectives staged across the funnel, from awareness to sustainable income

Read the full case study →

Marketing strategyFrom ambition to actionHow I build full-funnel strategies, with the Cathedral’s strategy overview alongside other examples.Read more →StorytellingThe Stranger SeriesA photobook I co-wrote with Arteh Odjidja, giving young migrants and refugees the space to tell their own stories.Read more →

How I help

Practical support for ambitious organisations

Whether you’re a cathedral, museum, heritage site or charity, I can help you plan, create and deliver marketing that makes a difference. And because I know how to adapt big-organisation best practice for leaner teams and tighter budgets, the work is always practical and proportionate.

Marketing and fundraising strategy · Audience insight and segmentation · Brand and propositions · Storytelling campaigns and appeals · Digital transformation · Websites and CRM · Visitor experience and interpretation · Team training

Brands I've worked with

What people say

Loved by clients

“There are very few people in the working world with Sophie’s aptitude. She’s quick, switched on and driven – plus she’s fun to work with!”

Clive Barzillia, Operations

Gloucester Cathedral

Let’s talk

Let’s explore how I can help your organisation

Whether you’re planning an appeal, building supporter journeys, rethinking your website or setting a new marketing strategy, I’d love to hear about it. Get in touch.

I also work with universities and growing businesses.