Big announcement from the British Fashion Council today. After 16 incredible years, Caroline Rush CBE will be stepping down as CEO in June 2025. She will continue to lead the organization during the search for her successor.
As the search for her successor begins, it’s a prime opportunity to discuss the future of fashion and the impact of strong leadership.
David Pemsel, Chair, BFC says: “Caroline is a fantastic industry leader and has relentlessly championed British fashion globally for past 15 years. During her tenure she has remained dynamic and agile whilst navigating some of the most challenging times for the industry. On behalf of the industry, I want to thank her for her work, her passionate support and dedication. In support of her decision to step down next year, I will extend my term as chair to the end of 2025 and lead the search for her successor to work with the BFC leadership team to continue to put the fashion industry front and centre, building the respect it deserves.”
Rush joined the BFC in 2009 and has led the organisation through significant change providing a blueprint for fashion councils to support emerging talent around the world. Focused on designers, she has been instrumental in developing the pioneering world class programmes that unlock and elevate British creative talent. Its revenue has more than doubled in her tenure.
As a part of the philanthropic element of the BFC Group, Rush launched two charities which later combined to form the BFC Foundation – created to support and secure the pipeline of talent to the global industry, the charity continues to build momentum, remitting £4.3 million to support designers and their businesses since 2020. The Fashion Awards presented by Pandora are the main fundraiser for the charity and have grown in impact and scale.
Over her tenure, Rush was tasked with strengthening London Fashion Week presented by 1664 BLANC as a cultural platform, positioning it as one of the “Big Four” and building out London’s identity as the capital of creativity.
Rush spearheaded the Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF) which leads a number of programmes to focus on industry innovation, specifically around environment, people and circularity. The world leading “Circular Fashion Ecosystem” white paper developed by the IPF in 2020 is used around the world as a tool to drive circularity and decarbonisation.
Most recently, ahead of the election in June 2024, Rush developed #FashionsFuture, a five-point plan for government outlining key priorities and potential solutions focused on rallying support and investment for the fashion industry gaining recognition for its impact and ability to innovate and drive growth for the UK.
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, BFC says: “I couldn’t be prouder of what we at the British Fashion Council have achieved and how we have adapted to constant innovation and change. The resilience and creativity of our designers and industry is exceptional as we witnessed throughout London Fashion Week and I have huge respect for this dynamic community. I know first-hand that when the community comes together it can achieve what is sometimes thought to be the impossible. The brilliant team at the British Fashion Council are a joy to work with, as are the many supporters, advisors and friends. After 15 years in service to the industry, I am ready for a new challenge. Having built the organisation’s resources back to better than pre-pandemic levels, it is in a great position to continue its essential and incredibly important work with new leadership and a new chapter. This isn’t a goodbye as I will continue to lead and push for excellence over the next 9 months until my successor is found and a handover is in place and will always be on hand to support an organisation I adore.”
As a part of the governance of the BFC, the search for a new CEO, led by Egon Zehnder is underway.
