London, 10th September 2026 - The British Fashion Council is delighted to announce the appointment of Pavita Cooper as its Chair, effective 1st October 2026. Pavita Cooper succeeds David Pemsel who will step down as chair on 30th September, following 10 years on the board, four as chair.
Pavita Cooper is an experienced chair and cross-sector advisor with a career spanning business, government and culture. Her appointment reflects the BFC's ambition to strengthen its influence with government and policymakers, build its fundraising capability, and further champion the role of fashion as a driver of UK economic and cultural growth. Cooper, who has held senior executive positions at Lloyds’s Banking Group and Christies, is on the boards of The Kings Trust and The Old Vic. Cooper also chairs the 30% Club, a business led campaign to get more women into senior corporate leadership.
Fashion contributes significantly to the UK's economy, cultural influence and global reputation. As Chair, Pavita will champion the strategic importance of the sector and work with the BFC's Board, executive leadership and wider industry to strengthen the environment in which British designers, entrepreneurs and businesses can start, scale and compete globally.
Caroline Issa will become Deputy Chair, a newly created role to support the BFC’s commitment to representing the brilliant designer community it serves. Building on her existing position on the board, Caroline brings deep fashion sector expertise, strong relationships across the global industry and an active connection to the designer community the BFC serves.
The appointment reinforces the BFC's commitment to ensuring that its leadership remains closely connected to the realities, challenges and opportunities facing British fashion, while supporting delivery of the BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth strategy.
Pavita Cooper, Chair, British Fashion Council: “I am honoured to take on the role of Chair of the British Fashion Council. My priority will be to champion fashion as an important driver of UK growth and help strengthen the environment in which British designers, entrepreneurs and businesses can start, scale and compete globally. Laura Weir leads a talented and dedicated team; I look forward to working with them and the Board. I would like to thank David Pemsel for his exceptional service to the BFC and the fashion industry.”
Laura Weir, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council: “We are delighted to welcome Pavita as Chair of the BFC Board. As we focus on delivering our BFC 2030 strategy, Pavita’s experience, perspective and understanding of government and policy will be an important complement to our Board. Alongside Caroline Issa as Deputy Chair, who brings her deep industry expertise and is firmly connected to the fashion community on the ground, we have a powerful combination of insight, influence and industry experience to help the BFC team deliver in service of British fashion.”
David Pemsel, Chair, British Fashion Council: "The development of the executive board appointments represents the importance of bringing together the right people to deliver the BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth Strategy. The mix of expertise represents the diversity and ambition in the strategy and our commitment to support, defend and promote British fashion. The appointment of Pavita as Chair directly delivers on the need to supercharge the organisation's ability to engage with government and support the industry with its policy work and access to investment."
The thorough search, led by the BFC nominations committee was conducted by the MBS Group who did not charge the BFC, recognising the work of the BFC as a not for profit working in support for the designer community. The BFC Executive Board ratified the appointment on 25th August 2026.
The BFC Executive Board comprises:
Executive Directors: Laura Weir, Laura Strain and Non Executive Directors: Pavita Cooper (Chair), Caroline Issa (Deputy Chair), Ciara Byrne, Clare Waight Keller, Jamie Gill, Karen Blackett, Kate Varah, Scott Morrison, Sian Westerman.