LONDON — Pavita Cooper, a seasoned boardroom operator and diversity advocate, has been named the next chair of the British Fashion Council, the organizer of London Fashion Week and Fashion Awards.
She will take up the role on Oct. 1, succeeding David Pemsel, who is to step down on Sept. 30 after 10 years on the executive board, including four as chair.
As reported, Pemsel’s exit has been long planned, with the BFC running a monthslong search led by a nominations committee and conducted pro bono by the MBS Group. Cooper’s appointment was ratified by the BFC Executive Board on Aug. 25.
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Cooper is an experienced chair and adviser whose career spans business, government and culture. She has held senior executive roles at Lloyds Banking Group and Christie’s, sits on the boards of The King’s Trust and The Old Vic and chairs the 30 Percent Club, a campaign to increase the number of women in senior corporate leadership.
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Her appointment aligns with the BFC’s objectives stated in chief executive officer Laura Weir’s four-year strategy and financial plan “BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth” to strengthen its influence with U.K. government and policymakers, expand its fundraising capabilities and position fashion more clearly as a contributor to economic growth and cultural soft power.
“I am honored to take on the role of chair of the British Fashion Council. My priority will be to champion fashion as an important driver of U.K. growth and help strengthen the environment in which British designers, entrepreneurs and businesses can start, scale and compete globally,” said Cooper.
Weir lauded Cooper’s experience, perspective and understanding of government and policy “will be an important complement to our board” as the organization focuses on delivering her plan, which aims to grow the BFC’s gross annual revenue by 38 percent to 18 million pounds by 2030.
As part of the reshuffle, current board member Caroline Issa will take on the newly created role of deputy chair.
Issa is the fashion director at Tank magazine and is known for her close ties to designers and brands in the U.K. and beyond. She will support the BFC’s aim to keep its leadership connected to the day-to-day realities of the designer community.
The outgoing Pemsel framed the reshaped executive board, which includes executive directors Weir and Laura Strain and non-executive directors Cooper, Issa, Ciara Byrne, Clare Waight Keller, Jamie Gill, Karen Blackett, Kate Varah, Scott Morrison and Sian Westerman, as a deliberate mix of policy, finance, creative and commercial to deliver the BFC 2030 vision.
“The appointment of Cooper as chair directly delivers on the need to supercharge the organization’s ability to engage with government and support the industry with its policy work and access to investment,” Pemsel said.