Caroline Issa Will Take On The Newly Created Role Of Deputy Chair As The BFC Reshapes Its Leadership Around Its 2030 Strategy
The British Fashion Council has appointed Pavita Cooper as Chair, effective October 1, as the organization strengthens its leadership around government relations, fundraising and the economic role of British fashion.
Cooper will succeed David Pemsel, who steps down September 30 after 10 years on the BFC board, including four years as chair. The organization has also named Caroline Issa deputy chair, a newly created position intended to strengthen representation of the designer community within its leadership.
Cooper brings experience spanning business, government and culture. She previously held senior executive positions at Lloyds Banking Group and Christie’s and currently serves on the boards of The King’s Trust and The Old Vic. She also chairs the 30% Club, a business-led initiative focused on increasing women’s representation in senior corporate leadership.
Her appointment comes as the BFC moves forward with its BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth strategy, which seeks to improve the conditions for British designers and fashion businesses to establish, scale and compete internationally.
“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,” Cooper said.
A central part of Cooper’s remit will be increasing the BFC’s engagement with government and policymakers while developing its fundraising capabilities. The appointment reflects an effort to position fashion more firmly within discussions around the U.K.’s economic growth, cultural influence and international competitiveness.
Issa, who already serves on the BFC board, will bring a more industry-focused perspective to the leadership structure as deputy chair. Her experience across fashion and relationships with designers and the wider international industry are intended to complement Cooper’s background in business, policy and governance.
“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,” said Laura Weir, chief executive of the British Fashion Council.
The leadership transition also marks the end of Pemsel’s decade-long involvement with the BFC board. His tenure as chair has coincided with a period of significant disruption for British fashion, including the effects of Brexit, the pandemic and mounting pressures on independent designers and smaller fashion businesses.
“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,” Pemsel said.
Cooper’s appointment followed a search led by the BFC nominations committee and conducted by executive search firm MBS Group, which provided its services without charge to the nonprofit organization. The BFC executive board ratified the appointment on August 25.
The BFC’s executive directors are Laura Weir and Laura Strain. Its non-executive directors are Cooper, Issa, Ciara Byrne, Clare Waight Keller, Jamie Gill, Karen Blackett, Kate Varah, Scott Morrison and Sian Westerman.
The new structure gives the BFC a leadership pairing with distinct but complementary responsibilities at a time when the organization is seeking both greater influence in government and closer engagement with the designers it represents. Cooper’s appointment puts policy, investment and economic growth higher on the agenda, while Issa’s new position is intended to maintain a direct connection between those priorities and the needs of Britain’s fashion community.