SARAH BRENNAND
Summary
Accomplished recruitment specialist with extensive expertise in social and digital media, CRM-style journey management, and data insight. Proven track record in community and alumnae engagement, stakeholder relationship management, and event marketing. Adept at budget and resource management, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. Skilled in developing marketing strategies, delivering campaigns, and maintaining brand integrity through content strategy and storytelling. Committed to continuous improvement through detailed reporting and evaluation.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work history
Fundraising & Events Manager
Swardeston Cricket Club
01.2014 - Current
- Lead end-to-end planning and delivery of a wide range of fundraising and engagement events, including large-scale dinners, smaller hospitality events, quizzes, golf days and friendly matches.
- Delivered a 400-guest fundraising dinner with Lord Botham, raising £22,000, managing all elements from concept to delivery.
- Oversaw guest experience and logistics including catering, drinks and wine bar, volunteer teams (40+ staff), briefings, health and safety, insurance, marquee hire, parking, photography and event schedules.
- Manage sponsorship acquisition and delivery, press activity, social media promotion and event marketing.
- Coordinated speaker requirements and riders, accommodation, transport and banking arrangements.
- Lead event promotion including poster creation, advertising and community outreach.
- Manage food vendors for match days and events, ensuring quality, compliance and smooth delivery.
- Support club growth through membership promotion, enrolment processes and targeted communications, strengthening long-term community engagement and supporter retention.
Industry Trustee & Panel Judge
Graduate Fashion Week
01.2014 - Current
- Industry Trustee of the Graduate Fashion Foundation (from April 2025) supporting its mission to champion graduate talent and strengthen industry-education connections.
- Served as a panel judge and assessing student work, contributing to emerging talent development and wider sector engagement.
- Fostered relationships with sponsors and industry partners to enhance the visibility and impact of Graduate Fashion Week.
- Collaborated with key stakeholders to develop strategic initiatives aimed at increasing graduate success within the fashion industry.
Social Media Manager & Mentor
HASOU Fashion Academy
01.2024 - 07.2026
- Lead digital marketing and social media strategy to drive brand awareness, engagement and enquiry generation across evolving platforms.
- Work closely with the Academy owner and mentees to develop authentic, values-led content reflecting student experience and academic outcomes.
- Mentor and support individuals through tailored guidance, content feedback and strategic advice.
- Manage fast-paced, often changing deadlines with a high degree of flexibility, adapting quickly to platform updates and priorities.
- Track engagement metrics and audience behaviour to refine strategy, optimise performance and maximise impact.
Designer
SarahElizabeth Millinery
01.2015 - Current
- Develop brand positioning, marketing communications, and customer engagement strategies for independent creative business.
- Oversee digital presence, enquiries, and customer journeys from initial contact to conversion.
GAP INC - Special Projects Recruitment
Client-based Consulting Projects
01.2015 - 07.2026
- University of Northumbria - External Examiner 2015 -2019
- Academy of Design Sri Lanka - External Examiner 2015 -2019
- University of Nottingham - Visiting Fashion Lecturer
- Ravensbourne University - Visiting Fashion Lecturer
- Manchester Hollings Placement - Consultant & Discussion Panellist
Part time Fashion Lecturer
Norwich University of the Arts
01.2014 - 01.2024
- Delivered workshops and lectures focused on professional development, communication, portfolios and interview skills.
- Supported student recruitment, retention and progression through mentoring and tailored guidance.
- Collaborated with academic and professional teams to enhance the student experience.
- Facilitated industry partnerships to increase networking opportunities for students.
Recruitment Manager
Abercrombie & Fitch
New York, USA
01.2004 - 01.2014
- Led the end-to-end recruitment strategy for design and corporate functions across the UK, Europe and Australia, aligning international hiring plans with business objectives and long-term talent needs.
- Built and managed strategic partnerships with leading universities and academic institutions, positioning the brand as an employer of choice and creating sustainable pipelines for high-calibre design talent.
- Designed and delivered large-scale campus recruitment programmes, including student projects, presentations, portfolio reviews and assessment processes, ensuring all candidates met global brand and quality standards.
- Travelled extensively internationally to identify and secure exceptional talent, ensuring all hires met the company's high standards of quality, cultural fit and brand excellence.
- Presented talent shortlists and hiring recommendations to senior leadership, influencing decision-making for international hires from intern to Vice President level.
- Recruited and onboarded over 250 international hires for the US Head Office, managing complex relocation, compliance and visa processes with a high level of accuracy and professionalism.
- Led international candidate experience and transition programmes, supporting hires through relocation to the United States and ensuring successful integration during onboarding.
- Owned recruitment budgets for international college programmes, managing forecasting, spend and ROI across multiple regions and recruitment cycles.
- Acted as a senior HR partner to store and regional leadership, advising on employee relations issues, internal investigations and resolution of complex complaints in line with company policy and employment law.
- Developed and delivered HR training for management teams on UK employment procedures, disciplinary and grievance processes and policy compliance, strengthening leadership capability across the business.
- Worked closely with Legal and external counsel to ensure full compliance with employment law and immigration requirements, supporting expatriate processes, work permits and policy development.
Senior Recruiter
Solomon Page Group
New York, USA
01.1999 - 01.2004
- Delivered high-volume recruitment campaigns across creative, retail and corporate functions.
- Managed end-to-end recruitment processes, from sourcing and screening to offer management.
- Built trusted relationships with clients and candidates, advising on market insights and recruitment strategy.
- Maintained detailed records and reporting to track performance and outcomes.
Junior Recruiter - Work Placement Year
Denza International
London, UK
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Supported recruitment administration, candidate coordination and sourcing activity within the fashion sector.
Education
AI Creativity &Business Management
Breakthrough
Event Planning - London
Morley College
Digital Marketing - undefined
The Skills Network
HEA Associate Fellowship - undefined
Norwich University of the Arts
BA Hons Fashion Marketing 2:1 - undefined
Northumbria University
A-Levels & GCSEs - undefined
Scarborough College
Skills
- Event marketing & event planning
- Experienced recruitment specialist & conversion pipelines
- Social & digital media expertise
- CRM-style journey management & data insight
- Community & alumnae engagement
- Stakeholder, sponsorship & relationship management
- Budget & resource management
- Team leadership & cross-functional collaboration
- Marketing strategy & campaign delivery
- Brand proposition, integrity & tone of voice
- Content strategy & storytelling
- Reporting, evaluation & continuous improvement
Community Service
- Scarborough College - OSA, Alumna Representative, Act as a class representative and social organiser, supporting alumnae engagement and community connection. Led the planning and delivery of a Reunion Ball, managing event coordination, communications and guest experience.
- Church Warden, Served as a Church Warden, supporting governance, community leadership and the smooth running of church activities, working closely with clergy, volunteers and parish members.
- Action Medical Research, Volunteer, Supported delivery of the Champions of Cycle Sport Dinner at the Hurlingham Club
- Norfolk Network - Active member of the group
NHSA - School uniform shop
- Share the management of the day-to-day running of the shop, ensuring a welcoming retail environment. Order and replenish stock, maintain high visual merchandising standards, and keep the shop organised, clean and customer-ready.
- Lead sustainability-led communication campaigns to grow awareness, strengthen community engagement and build brand credibility.
- Launched and manage the Instagram platform for the NHSA Shop, developing content and messaging to support its introduction and growth.
- Grow sustainability awareness and foster an engaged, values-driven community through consistent, authentic digital communication.
- Manage ongoing audience engagement across digital platforms, maintaining a clear and credible tone of voice aligned with NHSA values.
- Designed and developed additional school uniform products—including dry coats, netball dresses and money belts—working closely with internal staff, particularly the sports department, to complement the existing range.
Interests
Travel, Ceramics, Strength Training & Fitness, Fashion & Sewing, Watercolour Painting, Creative Practice
References
- Douglas, Maclennan, Chair, Graduate Fashion Foundation
- Tony, Bailey, Trustee, Swardeston Cricket Club
- Craig, Olman, Senior Director, Abercrombie & Fitch
- Sue, Chowles, Founder, HASOU Fashion Academy
Timeline
Social Media Manager & Mentor
HASOU Fashion Academy
01.2024 - 07.2026
Designer
SarahElizabeth Millinery
01.2015 - Current
GAP INC - Special Projects Recruitment
Client-based Consulting Projects
01.2015 - 07.2026
Fundraising & Events Manager
Swardeston Cricket Club
01.2014 - Current
Industry Trustee & Panel Judge
Graduate Fashion Week
01.2014 - Current
Part time Fashion Lecturer
Norwich University of the Arts
01.2014 - 01.2024
Recruitment Manager
Abercrombie & Fitch
01.2004 - 01.2014
Senior Recruiter
Solomon Page Group
01.1999 - 01.2004
Junior Recruiter - Work Placement Year
Denza International
01.1997 - 01.1998
A-Levels & GCSEs - undefined
Scarborough College
BA Hons Fashion Marketing 2:1 - undefined
Northumbria University
HEA Associate Fellowship - undefined
Norwich University of the Arts
Digital Marketing - undefined
The Skills Network
AI Creativity &Business Management
Breakthrough
Event Planning - London
Morley College