Damian Schnabel — The Branding Leader Behind Top Global Brands
Discover the inspiring journey of Damian Schnabel — from Industrial Design graduate to global branding leader at Virgin Media, AXA, and Convex Insurance. A story of creativity, strategy, and authentic leadership.
Introduction
In the competitive world of modern branding, Damian Schnabel stands out as a creative force who bridges design and strategy with remarkable precision. Known for shaping the identities of several top-tier organizations, including Virgin Media, AXA, and Convex Insurance, Schnabel has redefined what it means to lead with vision. His approach blends storytelling, innovation, and human-centered thinking — a combination that has made his work influential across the United Kingdom and beyond.
This article dives into his life, education, career, and branding philosophy, offering a close look at the man whose expertise has inspired countless designers and marketing professionals around the world.
Early Life & Education
Born in London, UK, in November 1971, Damian Schnabel grew up surrounded by creative inspiration and urban energy. His early environment naturally nurtured his eye for design and structure. Long before he became a brand strategist, Schnabel displayed curiosity about how visuals communicate meaning — a quality that later defined his success.
He studied Industrial Design at Brunel University London, earning his BSc degree with a focus on user-centered innovation. This academic background gave him the foundation to understand how products, systems, and branding intersect — a skill that would prove invaluable in his later work. Publications like Ecomagazine have even highlighted how this design-first thinking shaped his ability to blend creativity with commercial goals.
Career Beginnings
After completing his studies, Damian Schnabel started his career at various creative agencies in the United Kingdom, where he honed his design skills across media, product, and identity projects. His early professional journey was defined by experimentation — merging technical design with storytelling. These formative years taught him the art of building visual coherence, no matter the size of the brand.
By the early 2000s, Schnabel transitioned from small-agency work into larger environments within telecommunications and media, finding his footing in fast-paced, innovation-driven industries. Colleagues recall his collaborative style — always blending a “thank you” attitude with leadership and clarity, values that later became his trademarks.
Major Career Milestones
Virgin Mobile & Virgin Media
One of the defining chapters in Damian Schnabel’s career was his role at Virgin Mobile, which later became Virgin Media. As the Head of Brand Experience, he led a creative overhaul that unified the company’s messaging across digital, retail, and customer-service touchpoints. This was not just about logos or taglines — it was about storytelling. His work helped elevate Virgin Media as a lifestyle brand rather than just a telecom service, something Ecomagazine cited as a benchmark for cross-channel consistency.
AXA Group
Following his success at Virgin, Schnabel took on the role of Head of Group Brand and Marketing at AXA, a major player in the global financial sector. Here, he refined AXA’s global image, focusing on clarity, trust, and human connection. His projects at AXA demonstrated how effective brand strategy could balance emotional storytelling with factual reliability — a concept he often describes as “designing for confidence.” According to Mt-trees, his influence was key in transforming AXA’s identity into a more approachable, customer-driven brand.
Convex Insurance
Since 2021, Damian Schnabel has served as Head of Brand at Convex Insurance, a rapidly growing company redefining modern insurance culture. His mission centers on making complex industries more human. Under his leadership, Convex’s brand has become synonymous with clarity, purpose, and integrity — a reflection of Schnabel’s design roots and strategic acumen. Publications such as Ecomagazine have described Convex’s identity rollout as a model of modern brand storytelling.
Branding Philosophy & Style
Damian Schnabel’s branding philosophy is a seamless blend of strategic vision and creative execution. He believes that every brand must tell a story — not just through visuals but through the experiences it offers. His ability to unite marketing, design, and leadership teams reflects a deep understanding of brand ecosystems.
Colleagues often describe his approach as “empathetic strategy”: he sees branding not as a megaphone but as a dialogue. In interviews, Schnabel has emphasized that great brands “listen first, design second.” His work highlights how emotional intelligence fuels effective brand growth, aligning internal culture with external perception.
Personal Life & Public Profile
Beyond his professional life, Damian Schnabel maintains a quiet, grounded personal profile. He is married to Amanda Redman, the acclaimed British actress best known for New Tricks and At Home with the Braithwaites. The two married in 2010 at Maunsel House, an elegant estate often featured in Western Business lifestyle coverage.
As a stepfather to Emily Glenister, Amanda Redman’s daughter from a previous marriage, Damian Schnabel has spoken warmly of family balance and privacy. Despite his connection to public figures, he prefers to keep his personal life largely out of the spotlight — a choice that mirrors his professional modesty and focus.
Impact, Legacy & Lessons
Over the decades, Damian Schnabel’s influence on the global branding landscape has been profound. From shaping identity systems for telecoms, finance, and insurance sectors to mentoring upcoming designers, his work demonstrates how creativity and discipline can coexist.
He has shown that a successful brand isn’t just about recognition — it’s about relevance. His ability to blend design, leadership, and storytelling continues to inspire marketing professionals across industries.
His legacy lies not in flashy campaigns, but in cohesive brand systems that connect with people authentically — a vision that ensures his relevance even as trends evolve.
Challenges & Critiques
Like any creative leader, Damian Schnabel has faced challenges in aligning diverse teams and rolling out global brand strategies across multiple regions. Reports mention occasional difficulties in ensuring consistency across subsidiaries — a common hurdle in multinational branding. However, his open communication and collaborative style often turned such challenges into learning moments. His motto, “thank you and keep going,” has become a quiet mantra among colleagues who admire his calm leadership during change.
Future Outlook
As the landscape of branding shifts toward digital storytelling and personalized engagement, Damian Schnabel’s future seems aligned with emerging trends. His expertise in Industrial Design gives him an edge in understanding how physical and digital experiences merge — a crucial skill in the era of globalized, tech-driven branding.
With his ongoing leadership at Convex Insurance, he continues to influence how companies build trust, identity, and innovation in equal measure. Expect to see his philosophy — balance between creativity and structure — guiding the next wave of global brand transformation.
FAQs
Who is Damian Schnabel?
He is a British brand strategist and design leader known for his roles at Virgin Media, AXA, and Convex Insurance.
What companies has he worked for?
He has held senior brand leadership positions at Virgin Mobile, AXA, and Convex Insurance.
What is his educational background?
Schnabel earned a BSc in Industrial Design from Brunel University London.
Who is he married to?
He is married to Amanda Redman, the well-known British actress from New Tricks.
What is his approach to branding?
He combines strategy with empathy, storytelling, and design to create cohesive, human-centered brand experiences.
Conclusion
Damian Schnabel’s story reflects the evolution of branding — from static logos to living experiences. His career demonstrates that true leadership in branding requires a balance of creativity, structure, and humility. Whether through Virgin Media, AXA, or Convex Insurance, his influence continues to shape how companies connect with people in authentic, lasting ways.
For branding professionals and aspiring designers alike, his journey offers one essential lesson: great brands are built not just on vision but on values — a truth that Damian Schnabel embodies with quiet brilliance.
