David Pemsel to step down from the BFC after 10 years

David Pemsel is stepping down as chair of the British Fashion Council (BFC) and exiting the organisation, bringing to an end a decade-long tenure.

Pemsel’s departure is scheduled for September 30 following the anticipated announcement of his successor, the BFC told WWD. He will stay on to oversee the transition period before formally stepping down. Speaking to the media outlet, Laura Weir, who took up the helm of the BFC as CEO last year, called Pemsel “an exceptional chair and an unwavering champion of British fashion”.

She credited Pemsel for helping to strengthen the organisation, create stability and maintain long-term foundations to deliver on ambitions for the industry. “His counsel, commitment and belief in the value of British fashion have helped shape an organisation that is stronger, more resilient and better positioned for the future,” Weir stated.

BFC enters next chapter

Pemsel said it was an honour to be part of the council’s journey, adding: “The BFC is entering its next chapter from a position of real strength. I have every confidence in Weir, the board and the outstanding team at the BFC as they continue to deliver their ambitious vision for the future of British fashion.”

Pemsel first joined the BFC as a non-executive director in 2016 and later became chair of the organisation in 2022. Since taking up the position, the organisation has made notable progress towards strengthening its foundations, namely in hitting milestones like securing a record 14 million pounds in revenue for FY24/25 and raising over one million pounds in a single night at the Fashion Awards.

More recently, Pemsel has supported the council’s new strategy introduced by Weir, ‘BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth’, a four-year plan focused on increasing access to British fashion while supporting creativity and long-term industry growth. As part of the strategy, the BFC is set to implement the Fashion Britain initiative for the upcoming London Fashion Week in September, as part of efforts to broaden the reach of British fashion throughout the country.