Caroline Rush to step down as BFC CEO next year

The British Fashion Council (BFC) is on the hunt for a new CEO with news that Caroline Rush will step down from the role in June next year after a decade-and-a-half.

She stays at the helm for now and “will continue to lead the organisation while the search for her successor begins”.

BFC chair David Pemsel described her as “a fantastic industry leader” who’s “relentlessly championed British fashion globally”. He said she’s “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”.

Pemsel will now extend his 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 it through “significant change providing a blueprint for fashion councils to support emerging talent around the world”.

She was behind the launch of two charities that later combined to form the BFC Foundation, which has provided millions to support designers and their businesses in recent years.

She’s also overseen the launch and growth of The Fashion Awards, the main fundraiser for the charity and evolved London Fashion Week presented into a cultural platform that also involves consumers.

Another project she spearheaded is the Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF), which leads a number of programmes to focus on industry innovation, specifically around environment, people and circularity. 

Rush hasn’t said what her next move will be but in relation to her time at the BFC she said: “I couldn’t be prouder of what we 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 nine months until my successor is found and a handover is in place and will always be on hand to support an organisation I adore.”