Image: Hilary Riva (photographer: Will Matthews)
Hilary Riva was appointed Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council in December 2005.
Tasked with the role of making the British Fashion Council an organisation that is able to create a sustainable future for London Fashion Week, Hilary, in partnership with both the BFC Chairman (previously Sir Stuart Rose and currently Harold Tillman) and Simon Ward, Head of Operations, has created a solid structure for the British Fashion Council, increased revenues and sponsorship from commercial partners and worked with the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency to deliver a funding package to support emerging designer businesses in London.
With a highly successful track record of turning round and managing fashion retail businesses, Hilary has been Managing Director of numerous leading high street retailers, including Topshop and Warehouse, and jointly led the management buyout of Principles and Warehouse from the Arcadia Group in 2001. This business, Rubicon Retail, moved from a £9m loss to a £20m profit and was sold to Shoe Studio Group in 2005.
Going forward Hilary continues to look at the future role of the British Fashion Council as a resource to nurture the growth of emerging designer businesses in the UK.
In 2009, Hilary was awarded an OBE for services to the fashion industry.
Management Council
Brief History of the BFC